Durban — The Sunday Tribune got to share some warmth and good cheer with Highway Hospice patients as their “Mandela Day” good deed initiative on Thursday.
A donation of blankets and food items was made to the hospice situated in Sherwood, Durban.
The life and times of South Africa’s first democratically elected president and Struggle icon, Nelson Mandela, are celebrated internationally on July 18. Highway Hospice public relations head John’o Olds said it was a timely gesture – especially the blankets, as it was the middle of winter and many patients had cold hands and feet.
Olds said there were also hospice facilities in Inanda, Chesterville and uMlazi, with many of their patients being cancer patients and some living with HIV.
He clarified that being admitted to Hospice did not equate to a “death sentence”, as was the common perception.
“We have support groups and adherence clubs. Just this week, they asked me to organise a volleyball net, so we do have patients that are not so sick.”
Olds said in those groups, patients met to share experiences and participate in activities together, and their youngest patient was 12.
Due to limited resources, they only admitted stage 4 cancer patients.
He said most of their donations were from people who saw and appreciated the good work the hospice did.
Sunday Tribune