Overstrand Hospice

Newsletter April 2019 Postnet Suite 130, Private Bag X16, 10 Hope Street, 7200 Witnessing gratitude in a jar of Marmite During the December holiday season many of our patients and families are challenged emotionally with the progression of a loved one’s illness, as well as the financial burden of making ends meet. Thanks to the generous donation of food parcels from the Hermanus Cancer Fund (HCF) ladies, we were able to give much needed supplies to families in our service area which covers the coastline from Pearly Beach to Rooi Els. We visited one of our seriously ill and bedridden patients to hand her a food parcel; her young daughter, nieces and nephews were at home with her. While we were in conversation with the patient in her room, we could hear the excitement from the young ones in the adjacent kitchen. “OOO Jippeee…Peanut butter! …and Weetbix!” After a while her daughter ran into the room, with a big smile on her face, but also aware of the seriousness of the conversation. Holding something behind her back and facing her mother she said: “Mommy, Mommy.. and what did you say we needed? MARMITE?”… showing a jar of Marmite very proudly to her mother… NOT ANY MORE!” After a while she came back with her nieces and nephews and brought her mom the slab of chocolate that was also in the food parcel “to share later”, she said, with a big smile. Reflecting on that specific day, we agreed that the gratitude expressed by the recipients of these food parcels, would sustain and encourage our patient care team for the remainder of the holiday season. Once again, we would like to convey our sincere appreciation to the Hermanus Cancer Fund for making this possible. Fransil Kotze, Social worker.

Overstrand Hospice Patient Care Statistics 1 231 patients under care since January 2007; 26 947 visits to patients and non-patients during this period; 79 patients on average under care at any one time; our services are provided free of charge. From our Hospice Shop OVERSTRAND HOSPICE is a wonderful example of a successful GENEROSITY (Community) COMMUNITY CARE CIRCLE. The circle contains everything that is good in a community - Generosity, Volunteerism and Care/Love. Each part of the circle depends on the other and the result is specialised palliative care for our patients in the Overstrand. In order for this COMMUNITY CARE CIRCLE to be able to operate ef- Palliative Patient fectively, money is needed and this is where your Hospice Shop plays a Care most important role. Did you know? In 2018: Overstrand Hospice cared for 157 patients cumulatively. Each SERVICE (Volunteers) patient received free palliative care costing on average over R19 000 LOVE & CARE per patient. Over R3 000 000 was spent to care for our patients. Our (Nurses) nurses do on average 300 visits to patients every month. Transport for our nurses cost between R5 000 and R10 000 every month. So be very proud if you are a donor, a volunteer or a Hospice staff mem- ber - it is YOU who keeps this wonderful organisation working. We en- courage you to strengthen the COMMUNITY CARE CIRCLE in what COMMUNITY CARE CIRCLE (CCC) ever way you can. After all, as we always hear: 'What comes around goes around'. Dave Shutte, Vice Chairman.

Meet our Office Administrator

One would expect that the administrative staff of any organisation would rather work ‘behind the scenes’ offer- ing the necessary support to all the departments, but in our situation, it is quite the opposite; I would most likely be the person to open the front door for you and answer the telephone if you should call. Initially this position entailed general office administration, however, as the staff expanded, so did my responsi- bilities. Currently I am responsible for general office and financial administration. It has become necessary to be relieved from some of my reception duties to concentrate on my financial duties. This has been possible because of the willingness of several volunteers who have made themselves available a morning a week. Amor du Preez Each volunteer takes responsibility for a certain aspect of the administrative duties to help ensure the smooth running of the department. Nothing seems to faze them and whatever is asked of them is done with a smile. Thank you all so much for your contribution to Hospice. Josef and I decided to retire from our respective careers in tertiary education and call this valley home. It has been a privilege to be part of the enabling team to help ease the journey of others. In the words of my predecessor, Dee Back, at my interview: ‘This job is mainly to keep everybody happy’. And that is what the Office Administrator does – making sure all is in place to enable the other departments to function on well-oiled wheels. Amor du Preez, Office Administrator.

END OF LIFE TREATMENT, CARE & SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH LIFE THREATENING ILLNESS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OVERSTRAND HOSPICE APRIL 2019 PAGE 2

Volunteer Corner Overstrand Hospice Golf day 600 Club We welcomed several new vol- winners The annual Overstrand Hospice Golf day held at the Herma- unteers to the Hospice family nus Golf Club on Sunday, 10th March 2019 was well attended during the first quarter of 2019. and enjoyed by all. We want to thank our supporters, the more Our drive to find volunteers to than 50 sponsors and the team of Hermanus Golf Club volun- work at reception in the morn- ings has been successful. Re- teers, without whom we could not have hosted this event. Your support and generosity enabled us to raise an amount of 1st prize R5 000 ception is now covered every 2nd prize R2 500 morning of the week and this R85 000. Our auctioneer, Jacques Retief, did a stunning job in 3rd prize R1 000 allows Amor to concentrate on keeping the auction alive, and as always Tullishe le Roux pro- all her other duties. We held our vided guests with a delicious meal! December 2019 annual volunteer appreciation 1st Patricia Hodson get-together at the Fernkloof 2nd Sandra Thompson Nature Reserve on the 27th 3rd Anonymous February 2019. It was well at- tended and Piano Ben and his donation colleague, Miso, provided us January 2019 with music. Our Chairman, John 1st Vittorio Di Giannatale Ross-Smith, gave us an in- 2nd Joan Saayman formative breakdown of all Hos- 3rd The Dogs pice happenings during the February 2019 year. It was a happy and re- 1st Peter Richardson laxed evening enjoyed by all. 2nd Hermanus Rotary The training program for volun- teer companions is still on hold. Anns John Ross-Smith (Chairman) and Fran Tong (General Manager) There will be an Introductory handed over the prizes to the various teams. 3rd John Truswell Seminar for new volunteers in May 2019 – date to be an- Suzette Botha, Fundraising Coordinator. If you wish to support nounced. This is a morning Changes and additions to our Patient Care Team Hospice with R50 pm, seminar for all volunteers who Sadly, we had to say goodbye to two of our staff members who are would like to attend. The aim is entering a new season in their lives. Sr Annetjie Carstens and Sr please consider joining the to better acquaint you on the Saskia Schiel both retired at the end of March. We wish them well in 600 Club. That’s all it takes workings of Hospice, what we do all their future ventures and adventures. for you to make a differ- and how we do it. There are We are happy to welcome two new members, Staff nurse Cynthia ence in the support and many areas within Hospice that Stemmett residing in Franskraal, who will attend to our patients in care of our patients. A big need volunteers and this semi- the Pearly Beach / area and Sr Carin Wiid, residing in Thank You to all our loyal nar will help you know better , who will attend to the patients in the Rooi Els, Betty’s/ where you would like to assist. and Kleinmond area. Sr Esmé Potgieter, Patient Care members. We couldn’t do Feel free to contact me should Manager. it without the community you be interested to join as a Cynthia Stemmett Carin Wiid and their generosity. volunteer. Shelagh Milton,Volunteer Coordi- Contact Norma on nator. 028 312 4679 or visit us at the Office at 10 Hope Street, Hermanus for more information.

Hospice does not provide 24 hour nursing care. We support and enable family and loved ones of the patient to provide primary care to the patient in their own homes where most patients prefer to be. Make a bequest to Overstrand Hospice UPCOMING EVENT Shop and leave a gift made in love and memory Donations A bequest to a charity, whatever the amount, is a Bridge Drive We can collect any way of showing compassion. It provides the satis- 27thJune 2019 goods donated to sell faction of knowing you have left a legacy to help at our Shop. Contact Petro on touch the lives of those in need for generations to 028 313 1884 to arrange pick-up. come. By leaving a bequest to Overstrand Hos- pice you are providing vital funds to care for patients Banking Details: in their final illness. Your gift will provide practical Overstrand Hospice help, relief from pain, emotional support, spiritual ABSA BANK Hermanus comfort and more importantly, a sense of self dignity Account no: 406 593 2088 at a time when it is needed most. For more infor- Branch Code: 632 005 mation please contact Suzette on 028 312 4679. Swift address: AZAJJ Tax certificates issued on request

Tel. 028 312 4679  Fax 028 313 1927  [email protected]  www.overstrandhospice.org.za