06/04/2026
A dream more than 50 years in the making came true for Bruce through hospice care.
Bruce, a St. Croix Hospice patient in Lincoln, Nebraska, taught himself to play guitar at 14 and spent decades dreaming of playing with a band.
With support from his care team, Bruce recently took the stage with local cover band Hardwood Dash, surrounded by his wife, Cindy, his daughter and friends and family who traveled from Nebraska, Colorado and South Dakota.
Twelve St. Croix Hospice team members also attended, wearing custom "Bruce's Support Squad" T-shirts featuring the periwinkle esophageal cancer awareness ribbon.
When asked why playing with a band meant so much to him, Bruce said:
"I like the sound of it so much when it's more than just me."
For one unforgettable evening, Bruce's lifelong dream became a shared celebration of music, support and love.