On any given day, Cranford Hospice touches the lives of over 200 Hawke’s Bay husbands and wives, sons and daughters, friends, whānau, neighbours and colleagues.

With patients fromMahiathrough toTakapauthe generosity of the Hawke’s Bay community means that each of these patients and their family and whanau are prepared, informed and cared for in their final journey together.

From Thursday 28 to Saturday 30th March 2019, 400 amazing volunteers will be collecting donations for Cranford Hospice on Hawke’s Bay streets. Workplaces, schools and community groups are encouraged to dress in their best orange outfits, hold a mufti day or a morning tea, and collect for Cranford.

One of the Cranford Hospice volunteers, Cath, recalls the journey she went on with her husband Chris when he was cared for by Cranford Hospice.

Chris was first diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and after treatment and surgery was in remission for two years. In 2014, after a struggling with headaches on a family holiday in England, it was confirmed the cancer was back.

“In 2017, Chris started volunteering in the hospice’s garden. He really wanted something to aim for, to give before he takes. I would come along and help in the garden too. Getting to know everybody took away the fear of what hospice might mean.”

The generosity of the Hawke’s Bay community can be felt by all the individuals that Cranford supports, like Cath and her family. Every family’s journey with Cranford Hospice is unique and special.

“When we had to start calling Cranford for help it was like welcoming family. And that’s what it was 100% of the way through, everyone was like family.”

Keeping Chris at home was important to both Chris and Cath, who had been inseparable since their first date in 1998. Towards the end of Chris’ life, the nurses’ visited every second day, Cath used the 24-hour phone services to get advice from the nursing staff and the occupational therapist, Clare, brought out shower chairs, a bed, walker and wheelchair.

Chris got a lot of pleasure from seeing the team turn up. Having that outside contact and a chat with
someone different meant so much to him. Cath reflects, “It was also good for him knowing that the boys and I had the support.” Their youngest son was in his second to last year of high school at the time.

“One of the nurses told me ‘’You’re doing well, you’re looking after him beautifully.’ Those words meant so much to me.”

“I’ve kept volunteering in the garden because it is family and I wouldn’t be as good as I am now if I didn’t have that outlet of being able to go and talk, help and have purpose. My dad now comes along to help in the hospice garden which has been especially helpful as my mum is now receiving hospice care.”

Cath and Chris treasured their last days together at home, supported by family and hospice. Chris died on 20 April 2018.
“Cath’s journey matters. Each family’s journey is unique and special, and it’s a privilege for us to serve people like Chris with compassionate end of life care,” says Janice Byford-Jones, Cranford Hospice’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Terminal illnesses are complex, and our Hawke’s Bay community is growing. Cranford need support to be able to continue providing our free palliative services for generations to come. In 2019, we need to raise more than $3 million to ensure our services remain free to patients.

We would love your help. Paint the Bay Orange. Support Cranford.” Janice Byford-Jones, Chief Executive Officer.

You can donate online at www.cranfordhospice.org.nz or email events@cranfordhospice.org.nz for a collection bucket or for more information.

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