My father was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in October and sadly passed away on 4th February at midday. It's been a long and arduous journey, for dad and the whole family. We spent months in and out of hospital with dad – it was devastating when we were told he was simply too weak for any form of treatment. Once we had dealt with the shock, all we wanted was for him to be comfortable. But he was in and out of Blackburn Royal Hospital and three weeks before he passed away, he was readmitted. With the flu epidemic, it was a very busy time for the hospital and wards were cramped. We truly thank the hospital for all their effort to make dad comfortable, but we could see dad was not getting the rest he so desperately needed.

On returning home, dad's pain was becoming unmanageable and the doctors recommended he be admitted into East Lancashire Hospice, albeit only for a few days. Understandably, Dad was a little apprehensive at first and I think the word ‘hospice’ made him feel slightly nervous. However, one day in and dad was overwhelmed with the care and provisions of the hospice. The nurses seemed to have a real understanding of his needs and they just wanted him to be comfortable and pain free. We have a big extended family and at times we over took the waiting rooms, but the amazing staff always made us feel welcome. The nurses got to know dad like a friend and we could see they really cared for him which made such a difference to us looking in. For that reason, we will always be in debt to East Lancashire Hospice and words cannot express our complete gratitude to them. 

If we were able to help one more family in the way that the hospice helped us, then that would mean so very much to our whole family. In honour of my dad, please can I ask you give whatever you can, so East Lancashire Hospice can continue to provide the amazing care that we are sure it will continue to deliver. We thank you for every penny.