17 March 2022
When Mike Dawson needed to call on hospice three years ago he already knew he was in good hands. The retired North Shore businessman and his wife Peggy have been involved with us for more than 30 years, from Mike fundraising with a group of proactive businessmen during North Shore Hospice’s early years to Peggy providing massage training for our staff and the couple becoming Friends of Hospice members to give regular donations.
The couple say, “We relate to the cause very well.” But it was Mike’s personal experience in 2018 that reinforced for them that their years of dedication had been rightly directed.
Mike became unwell with stage four lymphoma and was “in the departure lounge” by Christmas Eve that year, Peggy explains. “Two nurses came to care for me and they were very sincere in what they were doing,” Mike says. “They took their time, they didn’t rush things and they listened. That’s a really big thing.” The couple thought Mike’s days in hospice care would be his last but his health took a miraculous turn for the better and he was able to be discharged.
While Mike’s story might be unusual it’s not unheard of – some of our patients do move in and out of our care. The couple attribute prayer and the support of their church to Mike’s recovery; they also know that when Mike does need to go back into hospice care “the love and support we receive will be beautiful”.
This year Harbour Hospice draws close to celebrating 40 years of caring for the community. The couple remember the days when the North Shore service had only one nurse and one car! They’ve been delighted to see Harbour Hospice grow to the multi-disciplined service it is today. “Everybody needs hospice,” Peggy smiles. “It’s a magnificent, beautiful service.”
If you’d like to join Friends of Hospice and donate regularly like Peggy and Mike, please contact us.
