Making wishes come true for terminally ill patients
For many of us, making plans for the future is something we do daily. But for those in our community with a life-threatening or terminal illness, the future is now and making the most of each day takes on a new meaning.
As part of the Wellcare Program at Sunshine Hospital, our team of dedicated nursing staff have been granting Wellcare Wishes to create treasured memories for patients nearing end of life, and their families.
To help support this program, the Western Health Foundation has launched an Appeal to help raised funds to support more wishes for Wellcare patients.
If you would like to donate to the Wellcare Wishes Appeal, contact the Western Health Foundation on (03) 8345 7660 or [email protected]
For some patients, a Wellcare Wish allows them to spend quality time with their loved ones, while for others it's a chance to fulfil a bucket list item, such as meeting an idol.
For Wellcare Program patient Rosemary Wing, a Wellcare Wish has provided cherished memories for the 84-year-old and her family.
The Wellcare Program team organised for Rosemary and nine family members to attend the recent Fromage a Trois Cheese Festival at Werribee Historic Mansion, along with delicious food and wine hampers for the family to enjoy.
To some it might seem like a small wish. But to Rosemary, it meant the world.
"I don't get to see my family very often, so I really enjoyed the day. It was wonderful to spend time with them all," she says.
"I thoroughly enjoyed having them all together. To start with, they kept asking why I wasn't eating or drinking, and I told them it's because I was enjoying watching them all together. But I still managed to overindulge in cheese throughout the day."
"It was such a thoughtful thing to do and I will cherish the memories from the day," she says.
While only attending the Wellcare Program for the past six months after being diagnosed with liver and bowel cancer last year, Rosemary says the program has been life changing.
"My family say they have seen such a big change in me since coming to the Wellcare Program," she says.
"I lost my husband 22 years ago, so I've lived on my own for many years. I've made some wonderful friends in the past six months."
"We're all friends here – the nursing staff, the carers and the patients – we're like family. And when you're not well, it's nice to have people you can talk to," she says.
For Rosemary, the icing on the cake was receiving a Wellcare Wish, and she now donates to the cause when she can afford to do so.
"Every little bit helps," she says.
"It would be lovely to grant a wish for everyone who attends the Wellcare Program. It was a wonderful experience for my family and I."
Please consider making a donation to help grant a Wellcare Wish to create cherished memories for our Wellcare Program patients and their families by contacting (03) 8345 7660 or [email protected]
