Latest news with #EastRandPalliativeCare
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Line dancers bare it all in aid of palliative care
Line dancers bare it all in aid of palliative care It takes eight co-ordinated steps to complete a synchronised line dancing square, 12 women to become calendar girls and a shared interest to raise money for charity. Whether it was the boot-scooting beats or the merriment of the approaching festive season, members of the Dancing Boots line dancing club, in Boksburg, surrendered their Stetsons and tasseled vests to create a risqué calendar in aid of East Rand Palliative Care (ERPC), formerly known as Hospice East Rand. Having ERPC personal care volunteers in their midst, the dancing damsels soon learnt about the practical challenges these individuals, who offer bathing services to those registered for palliative care, often face. 'We started dancing together in 2021 and have become close friends,' said instructor Debbie Botha. 'In an effort to offer assistance to the ERPC volunteers, we decided to create a tasteful and discreet nude calendar.' In 2013, one of the line dancer's life was irrevocably changed when sudden weight loss led to a cancer diagnosis. 'I battled through the diagnosis, faced a double mastectomy as bravely as I could and am grateful to be in remission,' said Louise Agiolitti, of Bonaero Park. 'When Debbie asked for 'models' for the calendar I jumped at the opportunity.' Armed with a pair of pink boxing gloves and ballet shoes, Louise said that the experience was freeing. 'Your body should be celebrated and bear testament to the battles you have faced,' said the bubbly blonde. 'Our line dancing group carried me as I was rebuilding my life but being part of the calendar was the greatest celebration of an emotional war I have overcome.' Taking a leisurely sip of her tea, Louise Kruger, of Sunward Park, said forming part of the project was south of her comfort zone, but that she wanted to show her support to those battling life-changing and life-limiting diseases. 'It was an empowering experience! Little did I know that only a couple of months later, I would be the recipient of a life-altering diagnosis. I am currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.' Dabbing tears from eyes, Lea Kirsten, also of Sunward Park, said dancing and ultimately becoming a 'calendar girl' has given her the strength to continue her fight against stage four pancreatic cancer. 'Friendship lives within our group, the steps and paces weaving together women with heart and unwavering care,' she said, a smile bursting through the tears. Photographer and project co-ordinator Jacqui Fernandez, of Libradene, said the experience not only gave the models a confidence boost but freed them from the shackles of conformity. 'Whether spoken or not, every single one of them had to steel themselves to appear in front of a camera naked and vulnerable,' said the Mrs South Africa 2015 semi-finalist. 'Stepping in front of the lens, they had to fight their own demons. The burning desire to selflessly stand united with others, willed them to shine bright beyond their uncertainties.' Sales of the calendar raised R5 500. Funds were used to create handy care kits for the four teams of ERPC personal care volunteers. The kits include inflatable basins for ease when washing the hair of a patient who is confined to their beds, as well as implements that will assist in comfortably moving patients. Isabella Pretorius, ERPC volunteer co-ordinator, said the well thought-out kits will greatly assist volunteers to offer dignified and gentle care, in the comfort of their patients' homes. The calendar is no longer available for sale. For more information about ERPC, its services and how you can get involved call 011 422 1531. Also Read: LETTER: Hospice is grateful Also Read: Hospice East Rand name change imminent At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
East Rand Palliative launches grief support group for healing and connection
Grief. It comes in many forms, whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one or mourning the life you knew. Recognising the need to grieve, East Rand Palliative Care (ERPC), formerly known as Hospice East Rand, is introducing Healing Together Through Loss, a new monthly support group designed to help individuals process all facets of grief. Are you facing life after illness, adjusting to the changing role of a loved one's diagnosis or mourning the death of someone close to you? The group provides a safe space to talk, reflect and take the first steps to healing. 'Our goal is to offer a sense of belonging during one of the most isolating experiences a person can go through,' says Busisiwe Ntondini, ERPC's social workers and group facilitator. Abegail Els, another ERPC social worker and co-facilitator of the group, continued by saying that they have witnessed how meaningful it is when people feel heard and understood. 'These sessions are not just about talking. They are about connecting,' said Els. The first session is scheduled to take place on June 28, from 10:00 to 12:00 at 218 Kemston Ave, Benoni, and will continue monthly on the last Saturday of the month. Each session costs R150 and includes light refreshments. For more information or to book your place, call ERPC on 011 422 1531. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
East Rand Palliative offers safe space to navigate grief and loss
Grief. It comes in many forms, whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one or mourning the life you knew. Recognising the need to grieve, East Rand Palliative Care (ERPC), formerly known as Hospice East Rand, is introducing Healing Together Through Loss, a new monthly support group designed to help individuals process all facets of grief. Are you facing life after illness, adjusting to the changing role of a loved one's diagnosis or mourning the death of someone close to you? The group provides a safe space to talk, reflect and take the first steps to healing. 'Our goal is to offer a sense of belonging during one of the most isolating experiences a person can go through,' says Busisiwe Ntondini, ERPC's social workers and group facilitator. Abegail Els, another ERPC social worker and co-facilitator of the group, continued by saying that they have witnessed how meaningful it is when people feel heard and understood. 'These sessions are not just about talking. They are about connecting,' said Els. The first session is scheduled to take place on June 28, from 10:00 to 12:00 at 218 Kemston Ave, Benoni, and will continue monthly on the last Saturday of the month. Each session costs R150 and includes light refreshments. For more information or to book your place, call ERPC on 011 422 1531. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Find hope after loss at East Rand Palliative's new support group
Grief. It comes in many forms, whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one or mourning the life you knew. Recognising the need to grieve, East Rand Palliative Care (ERPC), formerly known as Hospice East Rand, is introducing Healing Together Through Loss, a new monthly support group designed to help individuals process all facets of grief. Are you facing life after illness, adjusting to the changing role of a loved one's diagnosis or mourning the death of someone close to you? The group provides a safe space to talk, reflect and take the first steps to healing. 'Our goal is to offer a sense of belonging during one of the most isolating experiences a person can go through,' says Busisiwe Ntondini, ERPC's social workers and group facilitator. Abegail Els, another ERPC social worker and co-facilitator of the group, continued by saying that they have witnessed how meaningful it is when people feel heard and understood. 'These sessions are not just about talking. They are about connecting,' said Els. The first session is scheduled to take place on June 28, from 10:00 to 12:00 at 218 Kemston Ave, Benoni, and will continue monthly on the last Saturday of the month. Each session costs R150 and includes light refreshments. For more information or to book your place, call ERPC on 011 422 1531. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Navigating Grief: Find support at East Rand Palliative Care's new healing group
Grief. It comes in many forms, whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one or mourning the life you knew. Recognising the need to grieve, East Rand Palliative Care (ERPC), formerly known as Hospice East Rand, is introducing Healing Together Through Loss, a new monthly support group designed to help individuals process all facets of grief. Are you facing life after illness, adjusting to the changing role of a loved one's diagnosis or mourning the death of someone close to you? The group provides a safe space to talk, reflect and take the first steps to healing. ALSO READ: Hospice East Rand rebrands to East Rand Palliative Care 'Our goal is to offer a sense of belonging during one of the most isolating experiences a person can go through,' says Busisiwe Ntondini, ERPC's social workers and group facilitator. 'Grief is not something to fix, it is something to move through and nobody should have to do that alone.' Abegail Els, another ERPC social worker and co-facilitator of the group, continued by saying that they have witnessed how meaningful it is when people feel heard and understood. 'These sessions are not just about talking. They are about connecting,' said Els. The first session is scheduled to take place on June 28, from 10:00 to 12:00 at 218 Kemston Ave, Benoni, and will continue monthly on the last Saturday of the month. Each session costs R150 and includes light refreshments. For more information or to book your place, call ERPC on 011 422 1531. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
