Wayne arrived at Hospice Waterloo Region with his wife, Mary Jane, in the spring of 2021.
They had been in the throes of buying a new house when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her illness progressed quickly, and Wayne hardly had time to process that she would not be moving with him.
During their three weeks together at Hospice, he stayed with her almost every night. He remembers how much the staff cared for them both.
They always asked Mary Jane what she needed to make her most comfortable and even washed her hair. Whenever they checked on her, they had a smile and a kind word for him, too.
Months later, when he attended a hospice event, he knew he wanted to volunteer. Today he serves in the residence kitchen each week and has also joined the gardening team.
When I come back to Hospice, I’m treated like a family member. The nursing staff remember Mary Jane, and I’m surrounded by caring people. Volunteering has been an important part of my grief recovery.
Hospice Waterloo Region’s “Lights of Love” is a wonderful way to become part of our compassionate community by helping to support family, friends, and neighbours at this critical time in a life journey.
Ongoing donations are vital to ensure that Hospice Waterloo Region can provide exceptional service and care, at no charge, to hospice clients and their families. Funding from the government covers only a portion of our annual operating budget. We need to raise the rest through the generous support of our community.
Today we ask you to consider making a donation to our year-end appeal. Our goal is to raise $50,000. Your gift will go towards helping us continue to serve individuals and families at The Gies Family Centre and the Cook Family Residence. Thank you for your support.