15 September 2025
When Jo Wood’s mum, Sue, was cared for by Hospice 18 years ago, Jo was overwhelmed by the level of care their family received.
“Hospice was a service I had known very little about, and that I’d figured was just for the elderly at the very end,” says Jo, a mother of four from Wellsford. “I soon realised that the support was a lot broader and deeper. Right from diagnosis of a terminal illness, hospice is there and it has the people and the resources and knowledge.”
Sue, who lived in Northland, was originally diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, then lung cancer, and finally bone cancer. She was cared for by her local Hospice over a period of two years. She was able to remain at home and receive visits from the hospice team. She also sometimes went in for short stays for symptom management.
Jo and her sister moved back home so they could also help.
Jo explains, “It’s just a different type of care. The doctors are specialists so they’re really able to help with pain levels. But more than that, it was that they all – doctors, nurses, everyone – seemed to understand how we were feeling.
“They were open and transparent with us. When one medication wasn't working, they tried something new, and they listened to our suggestions because we were there 24/7 with Mum - my dad, sister and me.
“They were frank and clear, and even managed to inject humour into the situation. And they just always took the time to listen to what we wanted as a family and what Mum wanted.”
Three years ago Jo saw an ad in this local paper: ‘Create a will, for free, when you leave a Gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice’. For Jo, there was no question, Hospice had done so much for her family. She discussed it with her children, who were completely on board with it.
“The way I've structured it is that my house goes to the kids and my KiwiSaver will be divided between Harbour Hospice and another charity. I’ve always tried to teach the kids that it’s important to have a charity close to your heart, something altruistic, to give to the community. This is me being a living example of that.”
September is Wills Month, and Harbour Hospice has partnered with lawyers Paxton-Penman et al in Warkworth, Denham Bramwell Lawyers and Simpson Western North Lawyers for the month of September, to offer you the chance to create or amend a simple Will, for free, when you include a Gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice.
When you leave a gift in your Will to Harbour Hospice you’re ensuring that hospice care can continue for generations to come. A gift in Will can be any amount you like, it all makes a difference to hospice patients and their families. To arrange your free Will or learn more, contact Harbour Hospice Planned Giving Manager Suzie Smith on 021 226 2741 or suzie.smith@harbourhospice.org.nz or visit harbourhospice.org.nz/gift-in-your-will/
