W
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LIGHTING UP WIRRAL HOSPICE
Wirral Hospice St John’s will be lighting up the Hospice
gardens with 10,000 beautiful lights this December. Light
up a Life started in 1996 and has been raising much needed
funds for the Hospice for the last 22 years. The switch on
service is a special event and is an opportunity for the Wirral
community to come together to remember those special to
them.
The lights will be switched on by Joanne Cawley and her two
sons, James aged 13 and Luke aged 9 in memory of Joanne’s
mum Ruth Size. Ruth was first diagnosed with mouth cancer
in 1972 and received radiotherapy treatment. In January 2009,
Ruth was given the devastating news that her cancer had
returned. She had an operation to replace her jawbone which
resulted in having difficulty with eating, drinking and talking.
Ruth then had 8 years cancer free before it returned again for a
third time. In February 2016, Ruth was told that her cancer was
terminal and started receiving treatment and palliative care.
Ruth was referred to Wirral Hospice St John’s and attended the
Day Therapy Unit. She was apprehensive at first as she found
it difficult to communicate with others due to her speech
problems. Her daughter Joanne accompanied her to the first few
sessions and they were both welcomed by warm compassionate
team of staff and volunteers who soon made them feel at
ease. In May 2017 Ruth was admitted onto the Inpatient Unit
for one month. The care she received was fantastic and gave
Ruth’s husband Martin a much needed rest. Ruth’s wish was
to die at home and a care package was put in place complete
with equipment for Ruth to use at home. Ruth then received
support from the Hospice at Home team, District nurses and
Macmillan nurses. Sadly, Ruth died peacefully at home in July
2017 aged 71.
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Six months after Ruth died her husband Martin was diagnosed
with prostate cancer. Martin and his daughter received
bereavement counselling from Wirral Hospice St John’s and
he then joined a bereavement group which helped him talk
to others spouses who had lost their partners. Unfortunately
Martin died suddenly in August 2018 from a stroke. Martin
was very proud and thrilled that his daughter Joanne and her
two sons James and Luke had been asked to switch on the lights
at the Light up a Life service.
Joanne said “It is such an honour and privilege to be asked to
switch on the lights, as each light has its own special story.”
“This is only our second year at Light up a Life, but will now
be our family tradition every year. We will always remember
my mum and my dad and will light up their lives with a light
for each of them. Although they are not here with us they will
never be forgotten and will stay close in our hearts always.”
The service will be held in the Hospice gardens on Sunday 2nd
December at 5.30pm. The carol service is free to attend and
all are welcome to come along to remember their loved ones.
For each light that is sponsored your loved ones name will be
included in the books of honour and you will receive a Light up
a Life card in their memory. The books will be on display in the
hospice chapel from 4.00pm on 2nd December and will remain
on display throughout the Christmas period.
Light up a Life keepsake tree decorations are available for a
donation from £3.00 (including postage). To sponsor a light/
keepsake call 0151 343 0778 or or visit www.wirralhospice.org to
make a donation online.