I made the CHOICE to join the Not for Profit Sector.
Nonprofit Organizations are essential to our quality of life not only because of the valuable programs they provide local citizens, but also because of the positive economic impact within our local communities
I cringe to think that with all the technology, drugs and wealth in today’s age; there are STILL people of all ages in MY COMMUNITY who are at the end of their lives lying alone, vulnerable, neglected and in incredible pain.
It is the thought of the immense suffering and the possible demise of St Bernard’s Hospice in EL that fires me up and DRIVES me to appeal to BUSINESS & INDIVIDUALS to support our Fundraising Events or consider our Funding Applications.
Many have absolutely no idea of the adversities a Fundraiser contends with, but our challenges are pale in comparison to those our Qualified Nurses and Carers face in the field on a daily basis. As the HEART BEAT of Hospice, our dedicated QUALIFIED NURSES and CARERS work in our communities tending to patients; thankfully some patients do regain a measure of health and go back to living relatively active lives.
Palliative Care is about not giving up but about improving your quality of life.
Palliative care is a human right, a basic value of human culture. We may not be able to save everyone’s life, but we certainly can ease their pain.
Those familiar with the Eastern Cape know how inaccessible most of the roads and terrain is in some of the residential areas on the outskirts of Buffalo City ! No matter the weather or the 3km walk in the rain, our amazing Nursing Staff continue to visit patients. In the words of Sister Nzwake “The patient requires his medicine and I must see if he is eating; there will be time for me to rest later”. This amazing woman is in her 70’s and an angel in my eyes.
A story I love to tell is about Susan (not her real name) who is currently a carer at St Bernard’s Hospice. Susan was a Hospice patient and received Palliative Care from our Nursing Staff until she regained her strength and her health stabilized. Susan had first-hand experience of the benefits of Palliative Care and now offers the same care and support to others in her community. If you chat to her she will tell you how grateful she is to have received her life and dignity back. She is HIV positive and shares the necessity of taking ARV’s with other HIV Patients in her Community.
Now that story inspires the PASSION in me; it is filled with Hope, Love & Purpose.
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
By Marchel Grant : Resource Developer / Marketing / Events St Bernard’s Hospice
fundraising1@stbh.org.za Contact Number : 0833356167