August2012 contents:

update

research

the ease of Giving

events diary & updates

race for life

mighty mercy awards

community Partnership Worth it’s Weight in Gold

Bali Pops with love

You have probably already foreseen the choice made by the hero of our story, who does not yet fully recognise he is a hero.

He marries a lovely young woman a few years his junior and they have some wonderful years together. They try for a long while to have a child and, after much heartache, when the child finally comes, he too is wonderful. They call him Daniel and he is his father’s joy. Our hero, however, is on a journey that is set to test his every strength and capacity for life, not only once and severely, but many times over.

You have begun to appreciate a little of the life of Brian Andrews, who was able to set down his story through the Life Biography team as a patient at Mercy Hospice Auckland.

“My mother used to say you only get

Find us on facebook for our latest news

Life Biography - a Precious GiftimaGine you are a younG man, in

your tWenties, livinG in auckland’s

north shore. it’s the 1970’s, and

quite PossiBly, you’re Gay.

What haPPens next?

what you

can cope with

and I believe that,” says Brian, before launching into a tale about his life as a photographer of much ‘fabulosity’. “I went to the hairdresser, got electric

jackets made, got diamond rings. First time I

went like that to a wedding, all

dressed up as if I was going to a

ball, they loved it. I joke with the

groom that if he loses the ring he

can borrow one of mine.” Brian, as you see, has made some changes.

Now 55, the twists and turns of his story are not tampered with, nor tempered by anything but Brian’s perspective. His Life Biography is a precious gift for him to give to the ones he loves, and it’s also a process which affirms his life.

No-one’s story is the same, but each and every story is important, a concept central to the hospice philosophy and our respect for an individual’s dignity, te tapu o te tangata. At hospice we respond to each person’s diverse physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs. Luckily, like everything at Mercy Hospice Auckland the Life Biography Service is free, because it looks as though there may be a few more chapters to write.

“I’m too nosey in life to give up. I don’t

want to sit around and wait to die!” Brian says with the conviction of a true hero. “I’ ll be around for years yet.”

Brian’s son Daniel

update

“When I first started work as a nurse in Mercy Hospice in 1996, then St Joseph’s Hospice,

I felt I had come home in my career. My previous nursing roles had included six years of nurse-

tutoring, teaching the concepts of holistic, multi-disciplinary team care. In truth however, the

first environment in which I worked this way was at hospice. The opportunity to return again to

Mercy Hospice in 2010 after a four and half year absence has been a true blessing. I am inspired

to be able to work with a team dedicated to the very best in palliative care. Each day I see my

colleagues, volunteers and staff living the Mercy Hospice values of dignity, compassion, respect,

quality, advocacy and stewardship. It is humbling and a privilege to accompany patients and their

families through their palliative journey.”2

People are attracted by the Mercy heritage and name which are held in high esteem thanks to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers who provide the care to our patients and their families. As a supporter of Mercy Hospice Auckland, you too are part of this circle of caring which surrounds every person in our care, ensuring that we have the resources to continue providing quality palliative care for those in need. A new CEO will add their particular set of skills and experience to the organisation which may in time lead to subtle changes. However, our heritage and values remain at the core of how we provide our services and

they will not change.At the time of writing we are still

waiting to hear whether the Auckland District Health Board will increase our funding this year. It has been a couple of years since our contract was last increased although our costs increase every year. The health sector along with every other government-funded activity is under pressure to work smarter and more efficiently. And this applies to us as well. Mercy Hospice Auckland is regularly reviewing its costs and the way it does things to ensure every dollar is used frugally.

I thank you for your ongoing support through this time of change. Your response to our appeals is sincerely appreciated as are your thoughts and

good wishes for the future of Mercy Hospice Auckland. Finally, may I take this opportunity to acknowledge the passing of one of Auckland’s generous but self-effacing philanthropists, Hugh Green. Hugh has been a significant supporter of Mercy Hospice for many years both in his private capacity and through his philanthropic trust.

With thanks and best wishesPeter BucklandCEO Mercy Healthcare

our search For a neW ceo is Well advanced and We hoPe to make an aPPointment By mid auGust. it has been an extensive and rigorous recruitment process and we have come to meet a number of impressive people interested in this position.

Sister KathyPeter Buckland, and Sister Kathy Lynch,

Clinical Nurse Specialist, IPU

Colleagues and friends farewell Jan at Mercy Hospice and accompany her to Hospice North Shore who welcomed her with a Powhiri.

Clockwise from top left: Matua Anaru Pieta and Jan. Peter Buckland and guests. Dr Bruce Foggo and Jan. Ruby, Jan and Teina.

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“I remember advertising for a charge

nurse and a woman called Jan Nichols came

for an interview. She was an absolutely out-

standing candidate. We were so excited. We

hired her as fast as we could. As you know,

Jan’s now the CEO of Hospice North Shore.”

Today Mary still keeps a strong association with Mercy Hospice as a regular donor. “I really believe in what they do.”

She reminisces, “The sisters set such a

strong example for us as nurses, to treat our

patients with absolute respect and to see

the whole person, not just an appendix in

bed three. This included being aware not

only of their physical and medical needs

but also of their different spiritual and social

needs whether a mother, wife or employee.

I’ll always remember that.”

Mary has become a Mercy Hospice Committed Giver, so each month a set donation goes out of her account automatically to support nurses working in the community. “I call it the ‘ease of

giving’,” says Mary. “If for some reason the

donating becomes too much,

you just change it, no problem.”

the committed Giving Programme currently funds nurses in the community.For more information phone or email sandy.mcgregor@mercyhospice.org.nz

Medical research is critical as it allows medicine to advance and often new treatments or intervention may be implemented or, and just as importantly, not implemented if no benefit is apparent.

Research carried out at Mercy Hospice follows ethical guidelines which are common to all bio-medical research and is approved by the Ethics Committee of the appropriate university.

The hospice has a Research Policy and an Ethics Committee which oversees all in-house research. Privacy is respected at all times and no research takes place without permission and full information being provided.

Tim Hurley is the Mercy Hospice Family Support Team Leader. He is currently involved in research assessing the effects life-limiting illness has on people’s sexuality and their relationships. Health professionals can find conversations concerning these issues challenging and difficult to initiate. The aim of this study

is to identify barriers and provide those working in palliative care with knowledge and confidence to support patients and their partners.

“Issues such as the effects of illness on

a person’s identity as a man or a woman,

body image, self-esteem and maintaining

levels of closeness and intimacy are all

important aspects people may need

support with.”

In order for this research to be successful support is required from patients, partners (previous or current).

While being mindful asking patients and their partners to take part in research may be intrusive at what might be a difficult time, Tim’s experience is that many people are very willing to participate in research especially when they know it is absolutely confidential.if you would like to volunteer to assist with this research, please contact tim hurley on 361 5966 or tim.hurley@mercyhospice.org.nz

mary WentWorth started her journey With mercy hosPital in 1959 as a nurse in traininG. through the shifts and changes in life,

her roles there changed too and she found herself working in human resources.

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Lunch at last year’s tournament

RESEaRcHif we don’t ask you we won’t know!

The time is fast approaching for the annual Mercy Hospice Tennis Tournament. Both Pompellier and Herne Bay Tennis Clubs will open their courts on Friday 9th November to our fun-loving players. A fully catered affair, the day can be as competitive or as casual as you choose. We’d like to partner with ten organisations to ensure every court is sponsored - find out today what’s involved by contacting lesley dawson on 376 7571.

The soil has been prepared, the strawberry plants are in the ground and the pickers will soon be at the ready for this year’s Hospice Strawberry Festival. “Last year I think we donated 1680 punnets,” says Phil Greig, whose Strawberry Gardens in Kumeu fuelled Mercy Hospice Auckland’s strawb’ and ice-cream fest in Queen Elizabeth Square last November. “Planting is done in April and each strawberry will take months of care to grow, before we harvest it for the festival. It’s a very demanding time and I’m flat out from late September,” he says.If you’d like to help this year, in a big way or a small way through corporate sponsorship or by being a volunteer, contact Rebecca McCaughan on 361 5966. You can also help by consuming copious amounts of sweet, first-of-the-season strawberries at this year’s festival. “The big, bright red ones are the best,” advises Phil, who says his eye is often caught by a strawberry in the crop that he must taste-test. Make that 1679 punnets to be donated this year from Phil Greig strawberry Gardens, kumeu.

Well, What a Week! our staff, volunteers and you came out in force to support hospice awareness Week 2012. our street collections and hospice cuppa fundraiser have raised over $56,000 and we’re still counting. Thank you to everyone who got involved.

We know you love Cake

Christmas Combo (1kg Classic Cake & Christmas Pudding)

Petite Gift Tower

Christmas Pudding

2kg Deluxe

Christmas Cake

1kg Classic

Christmas Cake

500gram Sampler Christmas Cake

Over the last 15 years you, plus others from far and wide have repeatedly ordered (and eaten) over 9,000 cakes and puddings from Mercy Hospice. All our baked goodies continue to be handcrafted by the Great New Zealand Christmas Cake Company based on a good old tried and tested family recipe. This is your invitation to indulge for a good cause, as all proceeds go to helping our patients and their families live every moment.

Cakes come in a range of sizes from 500grams to 2kg. Also to tempt you, a traditional Xmas pudding with ceramic bowl and cotton lid, ready to be steamed. Also on offer a petite gift tower that includes cake, toffees and shortbread.The perfect gift for family, friends, colleagues and clients. Priced from $26.00 plus courier. in the spirit of giving at christmas, order your tasty treats online today www.mercyhospice.org.nz

From buckets to baking!

Hospice AwAreness week 2012

Diar y Dat e : A Special Time to RememberThank you to the many families who recently gathered for a ‘Time to Remember’ to honour and remember loved ones. We now invite everyone to diary our ‘Christmas Time to Remember’ event which will be held at Mercy Hospice on thursday 6th december at 7pm

Phil and Lianne Greig

Rachel and Elizabeth

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EventsDiary

Fonterra and Futurestep recruitment held a bake-off as their hospice cuppa with the host of nZ’s hottest home Baker, colin mathura- jeffree as one of the guest judges. “There was plenty of competition amongst the bakers,” explains andrea mcintosh of Fonterra. “Teressa Sullivan took the top prize.”

died, so it was a delight for Creghan and Simon to discover that Sue’s daughter and son were the top bidders for their generously donated Dinner for Eight at the ‘10’ auction, including a sommelier and flowers, to be enjoyed in the winner’s own home. “It’s going to be wonderful,” Creghan beams. “Being part of ‘10’ has

been very exciting. After doing it this year

we realise what a wonderful job Mercy

Hospice does and we want to be involved

every year.”

The French Café is a constant feature in Metro’s annual Restaurant of the Year Awards and has long set the benchmark for fine dining in Auckland. The couple behind the restaurant, Creghan Molloy-Wright and Chef Simon Wright, have recently been touched by the services at Mercy Hospice Auckland and decided to donate their valuable time and skills to ‘10’. “Our friend and loyal customer, Sue

Wall, was at Mercy when we were asked to

be involved,” says Creghan, “I just felt it was

the right thing for us to do.” Sue has since

A Celebration of R oy al

this year’s ‘10’ event Was a very sPecial day, not just for mercy hospice auckland who benefited to the tune of $205,000 (net!) thanks to our wonderfully

generous sponsors and guests, but for one of the host restaurants in particular.

Ten out of Ten for The French café

A big thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a huge success particularly our main sponsors Mansons TCLM Limited, Barfoot & Thompson, Pascoes the Jewellers, Farmers and all

our restaurants and wineries.

Calling all green Fingers

Hospice Cuppa packs are still available if you are a late

but eager starter!

Mercy Hospice has been honoured for their Online Pohutukawa Remembrance Trees. The original campaign of Remembrance Trees was developed by fundraiser Lesley Dawson in the late eighties. Remembrance Trees now appear in malls throughout NZ and helped to inspire fundraiser Sandy McGregor to develop the online version. This initiative caught the attention of the Fundraising Institute of NZ which awarded us the Everyday Hero Online Campaign Fundraising Award For Excellence. Thank you to the hundreds of supporters who have gifted donations and memories of their loved ones on the Mercy Hospice Online Remembrance Trees. see the award winning trees at www.mercyhospice.org.nz/donations.

Remembrance Trees Online - an ‘Excellence’ Idea

From buckets to baking!

Hospice AwAreness week 2012 Hospice AwAreness week 2012

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Gardener, Lesley Reid, was disbelieving when Heroic Gardens Festival organiser Geoffrey Marshall told her she should offer her grounds up for the Heroic Gardens fundraiser. “We met so many like

minded people,” says Lesley, after she and husband Ross agreed to open their gates last year without really knowing what to expect. “It was refreshing. Some people

came back more than once. That was a

nice compliment,” she smiles. “People came

right up until the last moment of the tour

but the time went so quickly.” The 2013 Festival will take place on the 23rd and 24th February. The committee is ready to hear from gardeners whose hard work could be inspirational to others. contact Geoffrey marshall on 6387206.

Ross and Lesley Reid

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Andrea and Kate

Colin and Teressa

It was a triumph of style just like the Oscar’s with award categories, nominees and winners who received trophies (in our case a ceramic tile, made by local artist Bob Steiner). “The award in and of itself is

very nice,” explains first winner of the night and Mercy Hospice patient Noel Slater, who scooped up the much-coveted

‘Wine Award’. As is custom, Noel and wife Carol made a charming effort to dress for the awards ceremony, he in top hat and tails with bright yellow bow tie and matching braces, she in vintage fox fur. One of the MC’s for the event and Lord of The Rings star, Bruce Hopkins, commented the evening was a wonderful

occasion. “There was a lot of humour and

graciousness and people were genuinely

chuffed to receive their award. The event

had a magnificent quality,” he observed. And he should know, he’s walked a few red carpets. Thanks to sponsors Ripe Deli, Yealands Estate, our MC’s Bruce Hopkins and John Dybvig and volunteers.

When you or someone you love is facing a terminal illness, an invitation to take your mind somewhere else for a while, or an opportunity to explore more deeply the upheaval you’re experiencing, without words, can be an absolute blessing. Clare Caudwell has been inviting patients to the free art workshops for the last ten years at Mercy Hospice Auckland. “It’s a huge

privilege to work with patients and their

families,” Clare says. “Sometimes people

just don’t know what to say. I worked with

one patient and her whole family ended

up getting involved, her mother, her sister

and niece. They had a deep conversation

through art.” The mediums used depend on the individual, but paint, collage, clay or just colouring in are all available. “Like

any other therapy, the artwork is treated as

confidential,” Clare explains, “and it’s up to

the patient what becomes of it.”

In keeping with an event that just gets bigger and better every year, our fifth annual Race for Life was held at a new venue - the state of the art Hampton Downs Raceway in Te Kauwhata. Fiftypatients from Mercy Hospice, Eastern Bays and Franklin Hospices were chauffeured to the track in the morning, for their pick of thrill rides. On offer: Harley Davidsons, racing cars, luxury cars and classic cars. A helicopter arrived at 11am to be put on thrill-ride-rotation bringing four more thrill seekers. For the first time ever, patients could also experience the thrill of travelling in an ENORMOUS Mac truck. Our special guests were catered for all day, including BBQ breakfast, snacks and a scrumptious lunch. Hundreds of volunteers wereinvolved in the day, including ten young students from St Kentigern’s College, as

well as very generous sponsors. “I’m

astounded at just how many people thank

me at the end of the day and ask if they can

return the following year!” says Opening Doors Coordinator Viv James. “It does go

to show that although people are giving all

day, they feel as though they have received.” At 3pm it was time to go home, and “while some guests had to be dragged away

kicking and screaming,” says Viv, smiles were everywhere to be seen.

As there are too many sponsors to name individually - a big thank you to everyone who got involved, helping patients to ‘Live every moment’.

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OPENINGDOORS

Mighty Mercy awardson a lovely eveninG in june, Patients oF oPeninG doors turned out to celeBrate the

PrestiGious miGhty mercy aWards 2012 With much lauGhter and Good Grace.

RacE for L IFE

Sometimes words just aren’t adequate

Caroline and Evelyn Gommers

Thanks Marco Schnabel for being our reporter

for the day

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“I needed some help to remove the back

of the watch as the battery had stopped.

I asked John if he could help me. I’d never

met him before so I introduced myself and

explained my role at the shop, he immediately

offered his assistance for not only this watch

but anything concerning jewellery at no cost

to hospice. I was blown away.”

John says Rennells is a family business and they didn’t hesitate to get involved.

“Sadly few of us make it through life

without our friends or family needing the

support of Hospice. It is a wonderful charity

and the Rennells’ team are proud to support

them using our expertise.”

While it’s a team effort, the Rennell family is quick to pay tribute to their loyal staff that does most of the Hospice work.

“Minesh has been with us for ten years

and has repaired many of the Hospice

jewellery items. We honestly couldn’t

speculate on how many watch batteries we

have fitted over the years. Amanda recently

brought over a box that had over 45 watches

needing new batteries, cleaned and checked.”

Amanda says the relationship is invaluable.“Much of what is donated comes from

people who want to support hospice because

of a personal experience. Hospice has an

obligation to ensure we can get the best

price from the items donated and Rennells

help us constantly, they are incredibly generous.”

Part of the relationship involves John and his team providing advice, appraising and where appropriate supplying them with an independent valuation, which Rennells pay for. Amanda says hospice has benefitted significantly.

“It’s amazing the gems Rennells has

discovered for us. At the moment they are

selling three valuable items on behalf of

Mercy Hospice Auckland, we are thrilled

how much this will help when they are sold.”

John says the partnership is a wonderful feeling.

“Working with Hospice is one way we

can help an organisation that is critical to

our community, it engenders great community-

spirit. We love being part of the Ellerslie

community which is why we are changing

our name back to Ellerslie Jewellers and

Engravers in the coming month.”

mercy hosPice shoP locations: ellerslie and Furniture shoP 188 ladies mile, ellerslie town centre. Ph 579 1208 | royal oak

728 manukau rd (opp Pak’n save carpark). Ph 625 9300 | PonsonBy 300 Ponsonby rd (three lamps end).

Ph 376 5301 | mt eden 453 mt eden rd, mt eden village. Ph 630 7110 | Pt chev arcade. Ph 849 2258 | Blockhouse Bay 560 Blockhouse Bay rd (at the roundabout) Ph 627 0128

When amanda davies, manager of ellerslie’s mercy hospice shop, popped into rennells jewellers & engravers, five years ago for assistance

with a donated watch, she had no idea the generosity of spirit about to come her way from john rennell.

From August 13 - 31, we invite you to clear out last season’s spring and summer fashions

from your wardrobe and take them into either one of the three participating Postie

Plus stores in Onehunga, Epsom or St Lukes where in return, you will

receive a 20% discount on any new season’s items you purchase!

Alternatively ‘give it up’ at any of our seven Mercy Hospice Shops.

But it gets even better: After September 17th, it follows that our

Mercy Hospice Shops will be overflowing with new stock. We invite

you to come and discover our great pre-loved fashion at affordable

prices. It all makes perfectly good fashion sense.

Give It Up for HospiceWe are very excited to announce that the Give it up for hospice campaign has been supersized this year thanks to Postie Plus support and sponsorship.

John and Penney Rennell

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D.O.B: / /

I wish to donate by Automatic payment, please send me details

I wish to make a bequest to hospice, please send me details

I have left a bequest to Mercy Hospice Auckland in my will

Please Post this donation resPonse to mercy hosPice auckland in the enveloPe Provided. or visit www.mercyhospice.org.nz to donate online.

Gifts over $5 are tax deductible. We would normally post a receipt thanking you for your gift. If you would prefer this to be emailed to save us the postage please tick here and provide your email address in the space above.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please let us know: Tel: 09 361 5966. Fax: 09 361 5977 email: admin@mercyhospice.org.nz PO Box 47693 Ponsonby, 1144, Auckland

Charities Commission # CC31621

Do you love to sew? Are you passionate about handiwork and quilting or know someone who is ? We have wonderful news for you: ‘Fabric-a-brac’ is coming to Auckland. This popular fundraiser started in Wellington three years ago to connect the treasure-troves of fabric, zips and buttons in our communities with the craftspeople who use them. You are invited to come along and witness the miles of unfurling bolts, all either vintage, familiar or unusual, to be sold Saturday 18 August at Freeman’s Bay Community Hall.

Mercy Hospice Auckland will be taking part with a stall. We have received a very generous donation of hand made Balinese patchwork fabric known in stitching circles as Bali Pops, Crackers and Snaps. Tim Watts, who runs the manufacturing business that created the fabrics in Bali, is a very close friend and colleague of patient Simon Horn. “I have spent more time with Simon than any other person I know, working, surfing, fishing,” says Tim, who needed no convincing from his colleague of 30 years to give something back to Hospice for

the care Simon has received.Tim and Simon have been supplying

high quality batik prints to the Hoffman textile business in California for many years. For Fabric A Brac, Tim has donated packets of Bali Pops (rectangles), Crackers (large squares) and Snaps (small squares). “Each fabric takes a minimum of 12 days to create and all are hand printed and dyed,” says Tim. “Each pack has 40 different fabrics. The retail price for packs can be as high as $80 each, but at Fabric- a-brac, Mercy Hospice will be selling them for a lot less.”

Simon’s wife Madè, daughter Anisa and sister’s Lois and Jane are currently sewing a patchwork quilt together, made with much love from a Bali Pop, using the fabrics that Simon is so passionate about.

Auckland organizer Vanessa Rehm says she’s thrilled to be bringing Fabric-a-brac here after successful events in Wellington, Sydney and Brisbane. “It’s a different and useful community event that’s raised $10,000 for Hospice in New Zealand so far. We hope to raise a lot more.”

What: Fabric-a-brac

When: 9am to 12.30pm saturday 18 august 2012

Where: Freeman’s Bay community hall, 52 hepburn rd

Bali Pops, With LoveSimon’s wife Madè, sister Lois, daughter Anisa and sister Jane (left to right)

Sadly, Simon died just prior to publication of this article. We’re sure that Fabric-a-brac will be a fitting commemoration of his love of fabric.