TOTARATALK March 2015
your connection to Hospice tou hononga ki Hospice INSIDE THIS ISSUE: • Leading Ladies of Hospice In loving memory of our colleagues • You can change lives Your help can ensure no one faces a life limiting illness alone • Pinnies and Pearls Bake Off Gather the ladies and join Jo Seagar for our perfect Mothers Day lunch • Welcome Tina McCafferty Our commitment to you ensuring that hospice continues for generations to come • Record breaking results Over $90,000 gifted to Totara Hospice Trees of Remembrance • Sunrise Walk for Hospice Is here - how you can help
2014 Youth Ambassadors meeting Angela Dalton - Chair, Manurewa Local Board and Alan Beal from Totara Hospice (centre) Youth Ambassadors L to R Eddie Kennedy, Alakoka Po’oi, Rosie Kennedy, Mary Rose Millet, Jessica Seal and Fangafua Po’oi
YOUTH RAISING AWARENESS FOR HOSPICE
Totara Hospice Youth Ambassadors giving back to make a difference in your community Last year saw the launch of the Totara Hospice Youth Ambassador programme. An opportunity for school students to play an important role in raising the profile of Totara Hospice in the local community and amongst their peers. Learning and understanding the value of service and giving back to their community whilst learning invaluable communication and leadership skills along the way. 2014 Youth Ambassador Ellen Davis’s father James passed away in 2013. Joining the Youth Ambassador team and having experienced the Hospice journey, Ellen felt that it provided a wonderful way to connect and give back to the organisation that helped her father. Ellen’s mother Pauline shares, “Hospice for us provided an incredible service to my husband, Ellen and I, not just throughout his illness but after his
passing. They have provided help and support on our next journey, and it is comforting to know we are not alone. Ellen thoroughly enjoyed last year in the programme. Not all students have been touched by hospice as Ellen has - however by being involved she has been able to share her story with her peers and why the service from Hospice is so invaluable and needs our ongoing help”. Pauline adds “having a reality check in life as we have had, is a pretty valuable lesson that you need to give back sometimes”. Rosie Kennedy would love to see more students involved. “This year I had the privilege of becoming the Head Youth Ambassador for Hospice. Through this I have learnt that it is important to cherish what happens in life, that life is about giving and not always about the getting. If you do good in life, show kindness to others,
life will often reward you with good things”. Rosie adds “I have loved the dedication, teamwork and undenying compassion that the Youth Ambassador team have put into hospice with our events and appeals, and have met many new friends from different schools and backgrounds. I am looking forward to this year, and invite schools and students who may be interested in contributing to the Youth Ambassador Programme to please contact hospice, we would love to have you onboard for 2015!” 2014 introduced 18 students to the Youth Ambassador Programme, this year we are hoping to welcome 40 students. If you are interested in learning more please contact Katherine.trotter@hospice.co.nz or 09 640 0255.
SUNRISE WALK FOR HOSPICE IS HERE How you can help hospice step by step, remembering and honouring someone special you love Grab your walking shoes and join us on Sunday morning 22 March. Gather friends, family and your work colleagues and enjoy a 5km walk around the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Dress to the theme of the Rainbow to receive fun prizes. After the walk enjoy a free sausage sizzle, facepainting, entertainment and prize giving at 9.30am. New is our Ray White VIP Pavilion. You can check in your bags, grab a seat and enjoy a special breakfast – this is an adults only area and limited to 100 guests, with a special goodie bag - book your tickets now so you don’t miss out!
The day is all about us coming together, whilst raising vital funds for our Day Hospice facility. The Day Hospice programme is a welcoming positive service offered to any patient under the care of Totara Hospice. This service has no government funding and is able to continue through the generosity of our community and supporters. We hope you can show your support and join us on the morning.
Register now at www.sunrisewalk.co.nz
WELCOMING ALL TO HOSPICE
Ihaka’s journey through art to embrace all cultures at hospice During my time at Totara Hospice, I have completed an art board that has expressed my feelings during my stay. I came to Totara Hospice with the common false beliefs - that Hospice is only somewhere you come to die. My feelings towards hospice could not have changed more with my first hand experience of the Inpatient Unit.
isn’t prejudiced against who it strikes, so I wanted to create a welcoming message to a variety of ethnicities who stay in the hospice. I chose the Maori words of Kotahitanga, which means ‘to stand as one’. Not only do patients stand together on their journeys, but so do the medical and nursing staff. They all
I chose the Maori words of Kotahitanga, which means ‘to stand as one’ I was advised to express myself through art on one of the art boards hanging inside of the unit. I found this very therapeutic and wanted to express my appreciation for the care I received here. I felt so welcomed and cared for by all members of staff. I felt like I wasn’t just another patient, I was someone special who was involved in decisions about my care. I wanted to create something that would welcome all walks of life in to hospice. Cancer www.hospice.co.nz
provided such a compassionate care towards me through working together. Manaakitanga, meaning ‘the beautiful gift of caring’ and ‘one special way to share’ demonstrates what hospice has been to me. Being Maori with a strong upbringing of Maori values, it was difficult for me to come here, as in the Maori culture we care for our families and don’t often accept care from outside of the family.
Dr James Jap, Ihaka Riwhi Jr and Dr Jason Tuhoe Being here I have appreciated the care I have received greatly and urge those from other cultures to accept the care lovingly provided here. I also couldn’t believe how homely the Hospice felt, it didn’t have that ‘hospital feeling’ at all.
I was always greeted with a smile and felt so welcome here. Furthermore, I felt my family was welcome here which was very important to me. Hospice is not only for patients it extends to patient’s families as well.
I am so glad I came to Hospice. Not only have my symptoms been greatly improved, but I have met some awesome people along my journey too. ~ By Ihaka Riwhi Jr
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