HospiceWits continues to show that, despite the challenges that might come their way, they can achieve their goals by working together.
HospiceWits provides quality care and support to patients and families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Such illnesses may include cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, neurodegenerative disease, chronic liver disease, HIV and Aids and renal disease.
As a non-profit organisation, they raise their own funds in a number of different ways. The most visible being their charity retail shop, of which they have 11 in total, and through holding a number of events throughout the year. Care is provided in a compassionate environment at their inpatient unit in Houghton as well as through their extensive home-based care programmes in both Soweto and the Johannesburg metropolitan area.
Accredited by the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa, they have 128 full-time staff members, including doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and spiritual counsellors, and 35 locums and volunteers who support them.
Jacqui Kaye CEO of HospiceWits said, “Our 2019 financial year runs from the 1st April 2018 to the 31st March 2019. At the beginning of our 2019 financial year, the management team of HospiceWits developed a 2019 strategy with a large focus on cost-saving initiatives. In respect of the period 1 April to 31 October this year we have saved on about R2 million on expenses. A drive was placed on finding suppliers willing to offer us non-profit discounts, control implementation and a change in mindsets with regard to savings. As an organisation, we have realised that by working together as a team we can achieve our shared goals and targets.”
She continued to speak about the lowlights the organisation has faced in 2018. “[HospiceWits] has been falling victim to criminals posing as representatives of the organisation, who fraudulently collect donations from the homes of members of the public.”
Kaye urged all patrons and donors to be vigilant and to double check the credentials of anybody who states that they are raising funds for the organisation. “Always insist on verifying the registration documents of a non-profit organisation, a legitimate registered charity will not go door-to-door to collect money from donors and legitimate organisation will require a donor to deposit money into a verified bank account so that an audit trail and thank you letter can be generated.”
This year sister Judith was named as a hero for the organisation. Having worked there for 28 years, she was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer but despite taking oral chemotherapy medication she still works full-time at HospiceWits taking care of others.
If interested in helping the organisation with Christmas donations, you can donate pre-loved goods which form a huge part of their fundraising efforts.”We would like the public to donate their pre-loved goods (clothes, furniture, equipment, books or children’s toys) to our shops. We will collect these goods from their home or business. Goods may also be dropped off at any of our shops. The organisation builds upon trusts and foundations to provide generous donations.”
Details: HospiceWits 011 483 9100; www.hospicewits.co.za
