Partners Life DUAL Half Marathon; in support of Totara Hospices

Thu March 3rd 2016

On March 19, 2016, I will run a half marathon in the Partners Life DUAL on Rangitoto and Motutapu Islands. I am hoping that as I take on this physical challenge you can help by donating for Totara Hospice. While dying is a normal part of life, death is often treated as an illness. Palliative care is essential for the community, and unfortunately is not fully funded by the government. Every year they need our help to continue to help patients and their families. Last year saw the biggest demand for Hospice services in Totara Hospices history – the youngest person in their service was 16 years and the oldest 95 years. Totara Hospice remains the lowest funded specialist palliative care hospice in New Zealand, which is why I am committed to ensuring they can continue to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family, regardless of diagnosis.

Totara Hospice South Auckland provides specialist palliative care services to the entire South and South-East Auckland area, the community of 450,000+ people is one of NZ's largest.

They support patients and their families living with life limiting illnesses. All of their services are provided free of charge to any person regardless of age, ethnicity, illness or need.

1/3 of their patient caseload is under 60, and they care for an average of 400-600 patients monthly, additionally community nurses make around 10,000 home visits every year.

Sadly Totara Hospice is only 59% funded by the government, and they must raise the balance of $3.5m through fundraising.

Every dollar you donate here will go directly to Totara Hospice and gives someone with a terminal illness the strength, support and opportunity to make the most of every day they have.

Totara Hospice is highly reputed and unfortunately at one point or another, most individuals will have contact with Hospice directly or in-directly.