Welcome to 2020. I pray the start of the year has been kind to you.

In reality, you, and most of our society, probably started the year with some anxiety around the ever increasing living costs, the decrease in employment available and all the challenges that come with it.

You could have also started the year, without a particular loved one around you, faced with a year full of “firsts” as you continue with life, whilst missing a soul.

Or, you could have started this year, receiving the news of a life-limiting diagnosis. Maybe for you personally, or a family member, or friend.

The thing is, a calendar year starts afresh, but life continues with its own ebbs and flows, oblivious to the governing parameters we try and enforce upon it.

But that is also what makes life great. You never know when the unexpected beauty of a resilient yellow dandelion is going to catch your attention. If we choose to look, it may even be whilst you are stuck in a traffic jam. Or when a random act of kindness will change your day – like the stranger behind you in the que at the shop, giving you that R3.40 you are short.

Or perhaps, when you are in your darkest hour, faced with a life-limiting illness such as terminal cancer, you will find unexpected hope in the kind touch of St Bernard’s Hospice Nurse. Or your family member will find comfort in the presence of a soul who is there to listen and understand.

As a Not For Profit Organisation, who, along with so many (most) counterparts across South Africa, our economic outlook for our year ahead could be described as bleak. On paper, it sure is. But, in our environment, we have learnt to expect the unexpected.

As St Bernard’s Hospice enters its 29th year of existence – our ability to still provide specialised Home Based Palliative Care services to, on average, 300 patients each month, is an example of how life surprises one.
We know we make an immeasurable difference in the lives of our patients and their families. We know that the true value of such a service can never be linked to a numerical number.

We also know that we have come this far because of the East London Community. Because of our Funders. We never know exactly where our support is going to come from and what it will look like, but we do know what our community needs are and how we can support that.

I hope that, despite what life may throw at you this year, you will continue to be kind, generous, joyful and experience love.

Should you have any questions about St Bernard’s Hospice, how to partner with us, or questions on whether we are a worthy CSI investment, or simply, how we can help you or a loved one, please contact me at 0437210051 or email me at management@stbh.org.za

We are here for you.