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St Clare’s Hospice patient Derek praises ‘community’
DEREK Todd didn’t know a thing about St Clare’s Hospice until he became a daycare patient.
The 76-year-old started going to the hospice in Primrose Terrace, Jarrow, in 2010, shortly after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
He said: “I didn’t know anything at all about the hospice, even though I’d had relatives in here.
“But it’s very different to what I expected. I thought it was going to be all doom and gloom, but it’s anything but.
“We actually all have a good laugh together.”
Mr Todd, who served in both the merchant navy and as a storekeeper in the Army during the 1950s and 60s, was referred to St Clare’s daycare service by a nurse at South Tyneside District Hospital.
He said: “I was advised to give it a try, and I’m glad I did. I love the companionship, and we all have a good laugh together.
“The day care is brilliant and I look forward to going every week. I get an aromatherapy treatment as well when I’m there, and I love it.”
The hospice provides palliative care to people in South Tyneside with life-limiting illnesses.
It has annual running costs of £2m – £1.4m of which it must raise itself.
But this year it is facing a £50,000 shortfall, and the Gazette launched its c/o St Clare’s campaign to help raise the funds.
Mr Todd, from Biddick Hall in South Shields added: “Coming along to St Clare’s gives you companionship. You can’t expect your relatives or carers to be there all the time, so this gives them a break as well.
“I enjoy coming here and getting out to have a bit of fresh air when they take us out to visit places like museums.
“I really hope that people will help out, because it’s a wonderful cause and there’s no other place like it. They need all the help they can get.
“Anything to do with looking after cancer patients is a huge benefit to everyone who needs it.
“The hospice is a big part of the community, and it really does help to be around people in a similar position to you.
“We all stick together and talk about our problems and get it out in the open – and talking to people who understand really does help.”
Twitter: @ShieldsGazVicki
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Weather for Jarrow
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
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The Oncoming Storm
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:46 PMA very admirable cause, but why does the Gazette not put similar weight towards a campaign to stop the impending closure of the Childrens Ward at South Tyneside Hospital?
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