Donations to keep Stepping Stone Hospice’s doors open
Thanks to the community Stepping Stone Hospice's “1-day-1-patient” campaign led to them being able to cover their costs for the month of May.
WITH the permission of the patient and her family, we would like to share the story of a 35-year old young mother currently being cared for in the Stepping Stone Hospice In-Patient Unit in New Market Park. This may help you understand where the money (your donations) are spent and how your support helps patients and their families.
It’s now nearly a month since Stepping Stone Hospice reached out and asked for financial support as they faced possible closure if immediate intervention didn’t happen. The “1-day-1-patient” campaign led to the hospice to cover its costs for the month of May. It also gave management time to re-strategise and embark on ways of cutting costs without comprising on quality of care.
Much needed support
“However, we need on-going support from the community,” said CEO Tersia Burger. She explains: “Our monthly costs average R773 000 – where does this lie?
– 75 percent of our expenses is salaries and wages. End-of-life patients require intensive 24-hour care from professional staff – our promise to our patients and our families have always been to provide quality care and support. This promise is reflected in our staff costs.
– Our psycho-social team plays a vital role in the care we offer our patients and their families. On average, 378 counselling sessions with patients and families take place per month.
– The number of patients without the ability to pay towards their care has increased dramatically by 90 percent over the past few months. Again, our policy has always been, and will always be, that we will never turn a patient away, regardless of their financial status.
– Stepping Stone Hospice cares for an average of 120 patients a month with an average of 25 new patients per month being registered.
“We are mindful that many households and businesses may find themselves in a tight financial situation and cannot afford to donate a lump sum to our cause. We therefore have launched a debit order pledge campaign. If every family in Alberton, who can afford R50 a month, could find it in their hearts to sign a debit order, Stepping Stone Hospice will be able to rely on a guaranteed monthly income,” said Tersia
The debit order form can be found on the Stepping Stone Hospice website: www.steppingstonehospice.co.za under “You can Help”. The form can be completed on-line and submitted on a guaranteed safe, on-line platform.
The place where she found comfort and her family closure
A true testament of a mother’s love is currently unfolding in the Stepping Stone Hospice In-Patient Unit, a reality so harsh, yet at the same time, so heartbreakingly beautiful.
A mother who refuses to leave her dying daughter’s side, who sleeps in a chair next to her bed, and only leaves her daughters room when she goes outside to smoke, “and to cry, because I will not cry in front of my daughter”.
Hazel van Rooyen showers in the unit, she eats in the unit, and she oversees the daily visits of her grandchildren when they come to see their mother.
With Hazel’s permission, we are sharing the story of her 35-year-old daughter, Angie van Wyk, who in January this year was diagnosed with Stage 4 pelvic cancer.
Herself a young mother, Angie will leave behind her 10-year old daughter, JC Leigh and seven-year old son, Recce. Yes, they know their mother is dying, and this will be the second time in their young lives that they will be facing the loss of a parent. Their father died in a car accident in October 2014.
Please keep the doors open
“I’m fully aware of the fact that this hospice is facing a financial crisis and I can only pray that they will get the support they need to keep their doors open,” said Hazel.
“What they have done, and are still doing, not just for my Angie, but for her children and for me – words can never describe the level of care and comfort we have all received and are still receiving.”
While a committed nursing team ensures that Angie’s physical symptoms such as nausea and pain, stay under control, the psycho-social team is on hand to counsel the family with special focus on Hazel and Angie’s two children.
“Both children are actually doing remarkably well under the circumstances,” said Hazel, “and I can only contribute that to the special care they receive from the counsellors and the rest of the staff here.”
It’s been just over a month since Angie was admitted to the In-Patient Unit in New Market Park. “She’s spent weeks in hospitals during and after her radiation treatment, and then a month at my house before I brought her to Stepping Stone Hospice. Neither the medical staff at the hospitals nor I could get her pain and nausea under control. If only I had brought her to Stepping Stone Hospice earlier. She is now calm, mostly pain-free and she gets 24-hour intensive palliative care,” said a tearful Hazel.
R50 from you is all they need
Hazel has now joined an army of hospice supporters fighting to keep the hospice’s doors open. “We cannot afford for this facility to close down,” said Hazel.
“If we all sign a debit order, as little as R50 a month, I know it will make a difference. If I can do nothing else for my daughter, I will do this, I will help fight to keep this place doors open. This place where she found peace and her dignity, and where her family could find closure,” said Hazel.
If you can see your way open to offer financial assistance, you can complete an on-line debit form in a totally secure online platform.
You can follow this link to complete your debit order:
https://www.steppingstonehospice.co.za/index.php/donations/donate-via-debit-oder
Alternatively, a donation can be made into the bank account: Stepping Stone Hospice, Absa, branch code 632005, account number: 408 609 5643, Ref: PATIENT CARE.
For any further information, kindly contact the marketing and fundraising manager, Marietjie Tame, via marietjie@steppingstonehospice.co.za
ALSO READ:
Help one hospice patient for one day
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