In HACT’s hands they trust

THE Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust’s Respite Unit is a place of unconditional love, around-the-clock care and a haven of hope.

The staff work tirelessly to ensure the patients, who have HIV/AIDS, cancer or both, receive the best service.

A trained nurse, Julie Hornby has poured her heart and soul into the centre.

She was the CEO of HACT for 15 years and helped grow the local non-profit organisation to what it is today, a beacon of hope for those in need.

Currently, Julie dedicates her time to caring for patients in HACT’s Respite Unit and has taken on the role of temporary nursing manager, a role she does voluntarily.

“We have always helped AIDS and cancer patients and we are a facility where people, who have either AIDS or cancer, can receive respite and or palliative care,” said the caring Julie.

A wave of concern washes across her face as she describes the current ‘oncology crisis’ cancer patients are facing in KZN.

“More and more patients aren’t getting access to treatment. Many, that have treatable forms of cancer, are given a return appointment date that is months after they initially go in for their assessment. Many are not even living long enough to even begin their treatment,” said a saddened Julie.

HACT is a member of the Hospice Palliative Care Association of KZN and is one of a handful that offers an in-patient unit.

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The organisation’s Respite Unit is a 24-bed facility that provides free in-patient care and treatment to both adults and children suffering from advanced stages of AIDS and or cancer.

Julie looks across the room as if lost in thought. There is a moment of pause before she speaks openly about a cancer patient who recently passed away in the Unit. Her hands are clenched together and her eyes become glassy.

“One woman was admitted with breast cancer. She was here for a few days and had her first chemo session. Within two days she was gone. She was hanging on for that chemo,” said Julie.

“By the time she got it, she was so weak that it was ineffective and she passed away. She was just one of the many who have had to wait months for treatment to begin.”

And yet, Julie describes HACT’s Respite Unit patients as the lucky ones.

“Very often we get called out to help a cancer patient in the community. They have generally been discharged from hospital with inefficient painkillers and are in a lot of pain. When they are admitted, we immediately help get their pain under control and give them love, we are there with them until the end,” said Julie.

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