Hospice Awareness Week 2023

12 May 2023

Nelson Tasman Hospice, alongside hospices across the country, are launching a campaign on Monday the 15th of May 2023 to help raise awareness about the value of hospice care.

The campaign It’s Ok features hospice patients and whānau sharing their emotional journeys of dying and hospice care.

We know that over three million kiwis tend to feel anxious and uncomfortable when thinking about a loved one dying (69%).

These stories shine a spotlight on how hospice care helps to make that journey a little easier.

Everyone’s story is unique, but feelings are universal and whatever you feel, is ok. If we can open up; if we can talk about dying and be ok with all the feelings we have; we can make the most of life right until the end. Hospice helps people get through.

One of the stories features Latoya, a patient at Tōtara Hospice in South Auckland who encourages talking about dying.

“The topic is so depressing and so sad and so taboo but yet it’s one of the most natural things that happens in life…you live and you die… why I’m so comfortable now is because it is something we can talk about,” says Latoya.

Another story features Haley, whose friend died in the care of Otago Community Hospice, and who encourages opening up.

“Just normalise it, make it ok…it does make it easier…when you ignore it, it makes it incredibly difficult,” says Haley.

Without the support of the Nelson Tasman compassionate community, we simply couldn’t do what we do.

This Hospice Awareness Week you can show your support by donating and sharing these stories to show to help us show that It’s Ok to feel how you feel.