Hospice East Rand aired their Candles of Remembrance ceremony on December 4.
Although virtual, it was a gathering of community members to reflect on the year which is almost at an end, remember family and friends who have died and celebrate their lives.
Guest speaker Rev Hilton Volkwyn shared a moving message about living fully and dying well.
There were beautiful musical numbers. Chesney Foster sang Scars in Heaven with Elijah Stoebel as guitarist and viewers listened to an instrumental piece by Michelle and Amanda Wang while reflecting on the message shared.
Hospice East Rand’s Sr Tracey Scholefield read a beautiful poem titled I Miss You. Nursing sisters, care workers, social workers and other staff members stood together to light candles in remembrance of patients, family and friends lost this year and years before.
Burning a candle is symbolic. It ensures that the memory of loved ones still lives on and burns bright. It was both moving and calming watching all the candles burning brightly together.
READ MORE: Hospice East Rand’s Candles of Remembrance goes virtual
In his message to the community Con Roux, chairperson of Hospice East Rand shared the financial struggle the NPO has been experiencing for the last three years following the pandemic.
He highlighted the NPO’s gratitude to people for supporting them by giving items for resale at their charity shops and for purchasing items at their charity shops as this accounts for 63% of their income generated.
He also highlighted the role that corporate donations and bequests have played. Despite their financial challenges, Hospice East Rand still rises above to support and care for those with life-limiting illnesses.
Roux confirmed that in the previous year, the Hospice East Rand palliative care team provided home-based care with 5 639 patient visits to 464 patients and their families within the East Rand community.
If you missed Candles of Remembrance on Sunday evening you can still watch the ceremony by following the link https://youtu.be/0yXZAPLmL1s or view it on their Facebook page.
READ MORE: Hospice East Rand offers home-based personal care assistant qualification
