MERCY MATTERS May 2023
WHĀNAU STORY
Compassion, Connection and the Aspen Tree
At the beginning of June last year, Malcolm Bianchi was admitted to Mercy Hospice with stage 4 lung cancer. Surrounded by his loving family, Malcolm died within 36 hours. Looking back at this special time and the three months of community support they received, Malcolm’s wife Denise Bianchi shares how her family’s experience of care was something she will always be grateful for.
Originally from Dagenham and Manor Park, East London, Malcolm and Denise moved to Auckland in 1987 with daughters Gina, Emma, and Leanne. Their two eldest daughters moved back to the UK in 1996 and 1998, and this led to a tradition of annual return visits. During these trips, Malcolm relished connecting with friends at a pub local to where one of his daughters lived, the Aspen Tree.
HOSPICE HEROES
Riding for Jim and living every moment
Riding for Jim and living every moment
On February 17, amid the turbulent weather so many had to contend with, Andrew Trevelyan and Steve Cassidy started their grand cycle of New Zealand, the Tour Aotearoa, in memory of their friend, Jim Swanson, who passed away at Mercy Hospice on September 17, 2022.
On February 17, amid the turbulent weather so many had to contend with, Andrew Trevelyan and Steve Cassidy started their grand cycle of New Zealand, the Tour Aotearoa, in memory of their friend, Jim Swanson, who passed away at Mercy Hospice on September 17, 2022.
MARCH APPEAL
What’s Under the Hat Aunty? UPDATE
What’s Under the Hat Aunty? UPDATE
Earlier in March, you may have seen our fundraising appeal that told the story of Frances Te Weehi, whose daughter, Leah died at Mercy in 2016 after losing her battle with lung cancer. Frances explains how at one point during her treatment, Leah’s nieces and nephews noticed how she started wearing a hat to cover the hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy.
Earlier in March, you may have seen our fundraising appeal that told the story of Frances Te Weehi, whose daughter, Leah died at Mercy in 2016 after losing her battle with lung cancer. Frances explains how at one point during her treatment, Leah’s nieces and nephews noticed how she started wearing a hat to cover the hair loss that resulted from chemotherapy.
Thank you to these Trusts and Foundations
who have supported Mercy Hospice through generous grants
- Ara lodge No 348 I.C. Charitable Trust
- Barbara T Lipanovich & Robert Ned Covich Charitable Trust – Perpetual Guardian
- Blue Waters Community Trust
- Four Winds Foundation
- Hugh Green Foundation
- North and South Trust
- N R & J H Thomson Charitable Trust – Perpetual Guardian
- Pub Charity Limited
- Ralph and Eve Seelye Charitable Trust
- The Jogia Charitable Trust
Thank you to all our Mercy Hospice supporters including our volunteers.
We could not do it without you.
Hospice New Zealand’s supporters and sponsors
