3 Wishes Program
@3wishesprogram.bsky.social
End-of-life program in which HCWs elicit and implement small final wishes for dying patients and their families. Originated in Canada, now at UCLA, Beth Israel, Niagara Health, UW, University of Utah, and many others. #Humanism #Compassion #Kindness
Pinned
Our mission is to foster compassion, dignity, kindness, and human connection, among patients, families, and HCW's during a patient's end-of-life period in the hospital. It seems appropriate that we move to where the skies are blue.
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Filmed for @uclahealth.org “Medically Speaking” podcast today! I spoke about @3wishesprogram.bsky.social. I absolutely hate cameras and pleased to say that it wasn’t too bad!
January 14, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Filmed for @uclahealth.org “Medically Speaking” podcast today! I spoke about @3wishesprogram.bsky.social. I absolutely hate cameras and pleased to say that it wasn’t too bad!
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A grandmother was really hoping to be able to meet her 1st granddaughter before she died this past year. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. The nurses at LA General Medical Center made this ornament with grandma's fingerprint to give to the baby when she arrives. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 6:12 PM
A grandmother was really hoping to be able to meet her 1st granddaughter before she died this past year. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. The nurses at LA General Medical Center made this ornament with grandma's fingerprint to give to the baby when she arrives. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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He knew his time was near & when told about the #3WishesProgram, he requested what he called a "reverse funeral"--an occasion for his friends & family to gather, for him to hear their speeches about him, & eat his favorite foods. How did the event go? I think his smile says it all (shared w/ perm.)
December 2, 2024 at 1:11 AM
He knew his time was near & when told about the #3WishesProgram, he requested what he called a "reverse funeral"--an occasion for his friends & family to gather, for him to hear their speeches about him, & eat his favorite foods. How did the event go? I think his smile says it all (shared w/ perm.)
Kindness is spreading. www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
AdventHealth Littleton ICU nurses turn final moments into lasting treasures with keepsake program
At AdventHealth Littleton, nurses are granting families personal keepsakes through the “Three Wishes” program, offering comfort and connection in a loved one’s final hours.
www.denver7.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Kindness is spreading. www.denver7.com/news/local-n...
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One year ago, our #ICU trainings decided to sing "Stand by Me" as part of the @3wishesprogram.bsky.social to dying patient on Xmas morning. One of them now writes, "When I think about my residency at UCLA, I will fondly remember this moment of love, solidarity, and compassion." Oh my heart.
January 4, 2026 at 10:27 PM
One year ago, our #ICU trainings decided to sing "Stand by Me" as part of the @3wishesprogram.bsky.social to dying patient on Xmas morning. One of them now writes, "When I think about my residency at UCLA, I will fondly remember this moment of love, solidarity, and compassion." Oh my heart.
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As of the NY, we have fulfilled wishes for nearly 2500 patients--39 of which were in December. I am very proud of this, but I can't help but feel sad for all the families who lost their loved ones as many of us were celebrating Xmas & NY. 'Tis the season to be grateful. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 4:50 PM
As of the NY, we have fulfilled wishes for nearly 2500 patients--39 of which were in December. I am very proud of this, but I can't help but feel sad for all the families who lost their loved ones as many of us were celebrating Xmas & NY. 'Tis the season to be grateful. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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Received a note reminding me why we do what we do: "This made me weep. This is so beautiful & such a wonderful, priceless gift. I can't begin to express our gratitude. I lost it. Thank you will never be enough. Your kindness has touched our hearts for eternity." @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Received a note reminding me why we do what we do: "This made me weep. This is so beautiful & such a wonderful, priceless gift. I can't begin to express our gratitude. I lost it. Thank you will never be enough. Your kindness has touched our hearts for eternity." @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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This @3wishesprogram.bsky.social fingerprint painting was for a patient whose family told us was a "man of faith" and loved playing the guitar. Isn't the rosary using his fingerprint just stunning?! #EOLcare
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 PM
This @3wishesprogram.bsky.social fingerprint painting was for a patient whose family told us was a "man of faith" and loved playing the guitar. Isn't the rosary using his fingerprint just stunning?! #EOLcare
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Sometimes, these hooks are for IV bags. Sometimes, they are to help families enjoy their last Christmas together. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Sometimes, these hooks are for IV bags. Sometimes, they are to help families enjoy their last Christmas together. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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Hearing about the family who wanted Christmas decorations for the room of their dying family member, I decided to fight the Xmas shopping crowds to make it extra special. Holidays are hard in the hospital. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Hearing about the family who wanted Christmas decorations for the room of their dying family member, I decided to fight the Xmas shopping crowds to make it extra special. Holidays are hard in the hospital. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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We got these adorable Xmas hoodies for the teddy bears that are going out to families this month (they contain the heartbeat recording of their now deceased loved one). @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Holidays are hard for families who recently experienced loss. Don't forget to hold the ones you love.
Holidays are hard for families who recently experienced loss. Don't forget to hold the ones you love.
December 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We got these adorable Xmas hoodies for the teddy bears that are going out to families this month (they contain the heartbeat recording of their now deceased loved one). @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Holidays are hard for families who recently experienced loss. Don't forget to hold the ones you love.
Holidays are hard for families who recently experienced loss. Don't forget to hold the ones you love.
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Sometimes we put out small LED candles in the dying patient's room to soften the environment. One family member tells me she took those candles home, created an alter, & "lights" these candles every night to remember her son.
Small touches can give lasting impressions. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Small touches can give lasting impressions. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Sometimes we put out small LED candles in the dying patient's room to soften the environment. One family member tells me she took those candles home, created an alter, & "lights" these candles every night to remember her son.
Small touches can give lasting impressions. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Small touches can give lasting impressions. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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The patient loved camping—trees, mountains, campfires. Our volunteer artist did a wonderful job creating this fingerprint painting for the bereaved family. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 12:46 AM
The patient loved camping—trees, mountains, campfires. Our volunteer artist did a wonderful job creating this fingerprint painting for the bereaved family. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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Oh my heart. Fur babies are so important, even at the #endoflife. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Oh my heart. Fur babies are so important, even at the #endoflife. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Some beautiful keepsakes nurses made for a dying patient's family at Harbor-UCLA.
December 8, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Some beautiful keepsakes nurses made for a dying patient's family at Harbor-UCLA.
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A family member speaks about her grief after losing her brother, and her words are so perfect, my heart aches for her: "Sometimes it's a day at a time, sometimes it's a step at a time, sometimes it's a breath at a time. I just got to keep going. Life, unfortunately, doesn't stop for me."
December 5, 2025 at 10:35 PM
A family member speaks about her grief after losing her brother, and her words are so perfect, my heart aches for her: "Sometimes it's a day at a time, sometimes it's a step at a time, sometimes it's a breath at a time. I just got to keep going. Life, unfortunately, doesn't stop for me."
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This Thanksgiving weekend, we organized a final meal for >25 friends & family--to celebrate the dying patient & say goodbyes. The manager of the family's favorite restaurant gave me a big discount & texted me to see how it went.
My heart is full. I hope yours is too. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
My heart is full. I hope yours is too. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 1:06 AM
This Thanksgiving weekend, we organized a final meal for >25 friends & family--to celebrate the dying patient & say goodbyes. The manager of the family's favorite restaurant gave me a big discount & texted me to see how it went.
My heart is full. I hope yours is too. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
My heart is full. I hope yours is too. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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Holidays are hard in the hospital. Especially when it involves saying goodbye. I am grateful for the nurses who go the extra mile to implement small wishes for dying patients and their families. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
November 29, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Holidays are hard in the hospital. Especially when it involves saying goodbye. I am grateful for the nurses who go the extra mile to implement small wishes for dying patients and their families. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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Our @3wishesprogram.bsky.social just got a request for final family gathering and dinner for a patient on hospice. This Thanksgiving, don't forget to be grateful for the ones you love.
November 24, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Our @3wishesprogram.bsky.social just got a request for final family gathering and dinner for a patient on hospice. This Thanksgiving, don't forget to be grateful for the ones you love.
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We've updated our gallery of wishes on our UCLA @3wishesprogram.bsky.social webpage! Check it out! www.uclahealth.org/programs/3wi...
Gallery of Wishes
Photo Gallery of Wishes: 3 Wishes Program, UCLA Health in Los Angeles, CA
www.uclahealth.org
November 21, 2025 at 10:42 PM
We've updated our gallery of wishes on our UCLA @3wishesprogram.bsky.social webpage! Check it out! www.uclahealth.org/programs/3wi...
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I called the family to ask if it was ok to send the items. Unsurprisingly, the wife cried and said "yes, and thank you for remembering us". We sometimes forget, but sometimes thoughtfulness and small acts of kindness can mean the world to the family who is left behind. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
Other day, a patient unexpectedly died & the team was too shaken to offer family @3wishesprogram.bsky.social before they left. Today nurses created this framed EKG, heartbeats in a bottle, & gathered words to create a word cloud, which I’ll send. Examples like these confirm 3wishes is for HCW too.
November 14, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I called the family to ask if it was ok to send the items. Unsurprisingly, the wife cried and said "yes, and thank you for remembering us". We sometimes forget, but sometimes thoughtfulness and small acts of kindness can mean the world to the family who is left behind. @3wishesprogram.bsky.social
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A physician at a hospital that I helped start a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social told me they lost a patient with a very strong Irish heritage. Per the family's request, his family was allowed to put a shot of Irish whiskey down his nasogastric tube as part of a final toast!
November 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A physician at a hospital that I helped start a @3wishesprogram.bsky.social told me they lost a patient with a very strong Irish heritage. Per the family's request, his family was allowed to put a shot of Irish whiskey down his nasogastric tube as part of a final toast!
Reposted by 3 Wishes Program
Reposted by 3 Wishes Program
Omgosh I love the latest @3wishesprogram.bsky.social fingerprint painting so much. The patient loved owls and our volunteer artist didn’t disappoint! I love how the fingerprints were made into twinkles around the owl.
November 14, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Omgosh I love the latest @3wishesprogram.bsky.social fingerprint painting so much. The patient loved owls and our volunteer artist didn’t disappoint! I love how the fingerprints were made into twinkles around the owl.
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Other day, a patient unexpectedly died & the team was too shaken to offer family @3wishesprogram.bsky.social before they left. Today nurses created this framed EKG, heartbeats in a bottle, & gathered words to create a word cloud, which I’ll send. Examples like these confirm 3wishes is for HCW too.
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Other day, a patient unexpectedly died & the team was too shaken to offer family @3wishesprogram.bsky.social before they left. Today nurses created this framed EKG, heartbeats in a bottle, & gathered words to create a word cloud, which I’ll send. Examples like these confirm 3wishes is for HCW too.