Hospice Awareness Week (15 – 21 May) The theme for this year’s Hospice Awareness Week is OK: “Ok to ask for help, ok to be yourself, ok to laugh, ok to cry and that hospice is about living every moment in a way that matters to you”. During this week you’ll find more insights into
Over the years I had experience with Hospice, both Mercy and North Shore, having had family and friends as patients, and had always been inspired by their dedication and the compassion and kindness during very difficult times. My dear friend of over 40 years, Debbie Stevens, one of the wonderful Volunteer Coordinators, had also
I’ve been an active volunteer in various roles over the years, but this ticks all the boxes. Firstly, Debbie Stevens (Volunteer Co-ordinator) is at the helm, steering with aptitude, availability, and authenticity. Then, Raissa Bogomoltz (Manaaki Group Facilitator) orchestrates with empathy and enthusiasm. We gather each Tuesday morning in an assigned room in the
My name’s Toni and I’ve been a volunteer for Mercy Hospice at one of the retail shops for 15 years. I started off by feeling that I was just part of the furniture. Working the till and tidying clothes racks. Over time, I’ve become a friend to so many customers and I sometimes feel
Thanks to the amazing generosity of Mercy supporters, Jill Bonniface and her immediate family were cared for at home by Mercy’s Community Palliative Care (CPC) team between 2021-2023. Heartfelt thanks to Jill’s daughter, Clare, for agreeing to share her personal memories with our supporters today. Diagnosed with a brain tumour during COVID-19
Continuing the Bond "We don’t ‘move on’ after our loved one passes, but rather we ‘move forward with them’. " - Susan CainGrief is highly individual and there’s no one-size-fits-all model. While it used to be thought that grief was a linear process, it’s now accepted that it’s not that simple. Continuing
“Caring for others. That’s been engraved in everything I do.” Nelson Madoka, one of Mercy Hospice’s most active supporters, shares what fuels his passion for fundraising. One of the things that stuck with Nelson early on in life was the value of sharing. Back in Zimbabwe in the village he grew up
Earlier this year, supporters came together for Mercy Hospice at 10 – A Celebration of Tastes. The magnitude of kindness and generosity on display was truly inspirational. On June 11, over 400 people celebrated New Zealand cuisine and wine to continue the care for those living with life-limiting illnesses. The result? Over $500K raised!!
Bonnie Yearsley passed in April 2001 after a 7-month battle with Oesophageal Cancer. It never occurred to me that my Mum might die at just 53 and I was only 24. It was a complete shock. Mum opted for the most aggressive treatment to give her the best chance of survival and this meant
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
