Recognition of impermanence, death and dying are core foundations of Buddhist training. As part of this practice, the Dharma Centre supported the establishment of a Hospice Southland shop two years ago at 106 Gorge Road (next to the High School). All proceeds from this shop fund an extremely qualified permanent hospice nurse, Celine Collins, to provide palliative care to Queenstown residents.
“Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.” – WHO 2008
Over the last two years, Celine has enabled many beings to die in peace under appropriate pain medication, surrounded by family in their own homes. Before this, patients would have been relocated to the Hospice in Invercargill.
If you are seeking an opportunity to practice the parami of generosity, please consider the following ways in which you can be of service:
• Volunteer at the Hospice shop for a few hours/days, weekly, monthly, or on an ad hoc basis. Please contact the manager, John McDowell, on 0274 354 319 for more details.
• Donate clean, working household items and clothes.
• Mention the Hospice shop to anyone who has belongings they want to clear out.
• Make a monetary donation to Hospice Southland.
Please remember that Hospice receives less than 50% government funding and for the rest relies on its charitable status. All Hospice nursing and services are provided free of charge to those in need of end-of-life care.