I loved my father, dearly and miss him every day.  Sadly on the 19th November 2009 he passed away at the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle.  He was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in August of that year and the disease took hold of him very quickly.  

Unfortunately, he was not afforded the care and attention we felt was due to him through the standard systems of health care. Indeed no one had been able to tell us exactly how dire his condition was or provide an accurate explanation. The weeks preceding his death were very painful for all of the family and no doubt for him.  He had been unable to eat or drink and the disease had ravaged his very heart and soul.   

On the 15th November he was admitted to the Marie Curie Hospice in Newcastle, where he was administered steroids and we all saw a marked improvement.  The care staff advised us that his condition was dire, and the family, due to cultural and religious reasons, wanted to take him home for his remaining time. 

 

I spent a lot of time with my father during those last few days, and God how I wished I had spent more time with him prior.  He told me that he was very comfortable and indeed happy where he was, and whilst he didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, he wanted to remain at the hospice so that he could get better and then he would come home. 

 

He never came back home.  On Thursday 19^th November at 12:38 my father passed away, both Louise (my wife) and I were with him.  The subsequent sympathetic approach and understanding of the Marie Curie Staff was unbelievable.  I will never, ever forget how they accommodated all of the family’s religious and cultural needs, devotedly.  We will all remain indebted to the consistent care provided by the Marie Curie team, forever.

 

My father was a caring and sharing leading light of the community, an accomplished and published writer, and his first love was teaching and poetry.  He must have taught tens of thousands of people worldwide. He truly was a great person. A driving force in my own personal and professional achievements and I imagine that of many others.  He supported all of his family worldwide.  My father was the most intelligent person I know, and if I can be a fraction of the remarkable person he was, then I will be eternally happy.

 

To celebrate his life and to acknowledge the Marie Curie Hospice’s amazing work, I would invite you to join me in raising critical funds for the charity. 

 

On Friday 19th November we will be launching an appeal to raise at least £10k all of which will go to the Hospice.  

 

Founded in 1948, The Marie Curie Cancer Care is best known for its network of 2,000 nurses working within local communities to provide end-of-life care, totally free for patients in their own home. Last year, the charity cared for more than 29,000 terminally ill patients across their nine hospices in the UK. The charity is also the largest provider of hospice beds outside of the NHS.

 

The most amazing statistic, is that over 70% of the charity’s funds come from the generous support from the thousands of individuals, organisations and businesses that donate, and with the total cost of care each year coming to around £83 million, it is important that people continue to support the work that they do. All of the services that are offered to patients and their families are free of charge.

 

For every £1 that is donated to the cause, 70p goes directly to providing direct care to patients and research, 22p is invested on future funds  and 8p is spent on support, governance and raising awareness.  So you know every single penny goes towards helping people.

 

Please help others receive the care, attention and affection that my father received before he sadly left a huge hole in my world.  Show you care, and share with Marie Curie Cancer Care……..