Running for Hospice

Mai and Talia’s Story

As many of you know, on 19 November we will both be running the Queenstown Marathon, however you may not know the reason why…

On November 24 2015, we both lost an incredible person in our lives – Talia’s partner and Mai’s dear friend Wynand passed away after a hard fought 6 month battle with oesophageal cancer.

The diagnosis came quickly and as a shock, only a year prior Wynand and Talia had together completed the inaugural 2014 Queenstown Marathon, Wynand was a triathlete, avid road cyclist and just an all-round decent human being.

The majority of last three weeks of Wynand’s life were spent in North Shore Hospice, with Talia moving in full time and Mai visiting often and providing some much needed support. North Shore Hospice essentially became a second home to Wynand and Talia, and the place where Wynand spent his final days.

Hospice provides compassionate, specialist palliative care to people who are dying, while supporting their families. With no immediate family from either side in Auckland, the Hospice Staff became more than caregivers – they become shoulders to cry on, a listening ear… and even someone to pour a much needed wine from time to time!

The staff’s medical expertise and response was constantly amazing, as was the bedside manner in which they communicated with patient, friends and family which showed dignity and respect for all.

North Shore Hospice needs around $8million dollars a year to provide the crucial services they offer to patients and families, partial funding (around half) is received from the Government and local District Health Board – however this leaves $4million a year that needs to be raised.

We would love for our pain in running the marathon to be North Shore Hospices gain… please donate via our Givealittle Page to this very worthwhile cause.

We are forever grateful for the dignity, kindness and respect they showed Wynand, any contribution you can make would be warmly received…and help us to get across that finish line.

Many thanks

Mai and Talia