NBS Dancing for a Cause helps pay for critical clinical care in our community

NBS Dancing for a Cause – Nelson Tasman Hospice shines a spotlight on the impact of Nelson Tasman Hospice during New Zealand Hospice Awareness Week, when the need to do so has never been greater.

NBS Dancing for a Cause – Nelson Hospice, opens at Trafalgar Centre this Friday and we are ready for a night of glitter, sparkles and community empowerment with an incredible group of ten locals who, after spending almost a year tirelessly fundraising, will take to the dance floor performing in front of over 4,000 people.

This event is not just about the glitz and glamour – it demonstrates the strength of collaboration across our community. The extraordinary generosity of the contestants, local businesses, individuals and volunteers have all played a key role in raising essential funds for Nelson Tasman Hospice. Events like NBS Dancing for a Cause highlight that it truly takes a community to make hospice happen – and our community continues to shine.

Nelson Tasman Hospice Chief Executive, Tony Gray, says the NBS Dancing for a Cause event is arguably the most significant fundraiser for any hospice in New Zealand and as a service we couldn’t be more thankful for the input from the Trustees, the organising team led by Emma Silke-French, the contestants, the dancers, dance teachers and all the individuals and sponsors that have made this year’s event happen.

The timing of this event aligns with Hospice Awareness Week, which focuses on raising awareness about the role hospice services play in our health and social care system. The week is an opportunity to highlight the essential services hospices provide and the ongoing need for reliable funding.

“Events like NBS Dancing for a Cause make a significant difference to our ability to continue to provide free services to our community, however the need for stable and sustainable funding model, has never been greater. Hospice care is a critical part of our healthcare system, and it’s important we have the necessary resources to continue delivering quality care now and into the future. The issue is that the demand for hospice care continues to rise, as our population grows older and lives longer. It is predicted that the number of people needing palliative care will increase by 50% by 2040.”

Currently we receive around half of our funding from Health New Zealand, leaving us with a shortfall of around $4 million dollars a year, needed to be funded through the operation of our retail shops, bequests, donations, events and fundraisers.

On a national level, Hospice’s around the country provided free care to nearly 11,000 people who died last year, almost a third of all deaths in NZ, along with another 9,000 people living with a terminal illness. This came at a cost of $226 million.  While the government provided $114 million, hospices across New Zealand had to raise $112 million from Hospice Op shops, community donations, fundraising and bequests, just to keep going.

Wayne Naylor, Chief Executive, Hospice New Zealand, which represents New Zealand’s 32 hospices, says without fairer funding, hospices are at risk of disappearing.

“This week is Hospice Awareness Week, and our message is loud and clear, if the Government doesn’t act now to invest fairly in hospice care, it is patients and their loved ones who will pay the price.   Hospices are already facing major disruption and reducing offerings. Without more funding, we risk losing these vital services when people need them most,” says Mr Naylor. 

Mr Naylor says that a new sustainable funding model needs to be implemented, rather than just talked about.  “We now need to have hard conversations about future funding, and we want the government to act and invest now if it is to appropriately meet current and growing future need for high quality end of life care,” says Mr Naylor.