Latest news with #SteppingStoneHospice
The Citizen
7 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Stepping Stone Hospice and APN launch first Family Fun Day
Stepping Stone Hospice, in collaboration with APN, is thrilled to announce their first-ever Family Fun Dog Day, taking place on September 27 at Parklands High School. This heartwarming community event promises a day filled with family-friendly activities, tasty food, and a strong sense of togetherness. All proceeds will support a meaningful cause. Dogs welcome Pet owners are encouraged to bring their dogs along, regardless of size, provided pets remain on a leash at all times to ensure safety and comfort for all attendees. Bowls of fresh water will be available throughout the venue. Owners are also advised to bring cooling mats or wet towels to keep their pets comfortable. Dogs should never be left unattended in parked vehicles, even with windows slightly open. Food and stall information All food vendor spots have been booked, promising a wide range of delicious offerings. Non-food stalls are still available for booking at R200 each. Funds raised from the event will directly support the hospice's vital work. Sponsors and supporters The event is made possible by Rand Corporate Consultants (RANDCO). Stepping Stone Hospice also thanks the Alberton CPF and Alberton SAPS for their support in ensuring a safe and enjoyable day for everyone. Book a stall To book a stall, contact Riana Nel on 083 669 9838. Payment details: Account name: Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services Bank: Absa Branch: Alberton Branch code: 632005 Account number: 4086095643 Reference: Your stall's vendor name Proof of payment should be emailed to [email protected] Make it a day to remember This Family Fun Day is more than just an event. It is a celebration of community, compassion and connection. Families, friends and pets are all invited to attend and help make the day a joyful success.
The Citizen
28-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
You are invited to celebrate the first anniversary of Stepping Stone Hospice's Children Unit
You are invited to celebrate the first anniversary of Stepping Stone Hospice's Children Unit The community is warmly invited to join Stepping Stone Hospice on July 29 from 10:00 to 13:00 as the organisation celebrates the first anniversary of its Children's Unit. Since opening, the unit has provided compassionate care to young patients and vital support to their families during some of life's most difficult moments. This gathering will be a moment for both gratitude and remembrance. A special tribute will honour two young patients who have earned their Angel Wings. In their memory, the guests will release balloons filled with forget-me-not seeds. These seeds serve as a symbol of love, remembrance, and the lasting impact these children have had on all who knew them. The community is encouraged to attend and show their support. Donations of food platters or drinks to assist with the celebration would be appreciated. For more information, contact the Hospice at 010 442 5059.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
From reluctant runner to Comrades finisher: Marina Lues earns Vic Clapham Medal
What began as a simple goal to get fit in 2015 has turned into a remarkable personal journey for Marina Lues, who recently completed one of the world's toughest ultra-marathons. On June 8, the Alberton resident crossed the finish line of the Comrades Marathon in 11:57:20, proudly earning the Vic Clapham Medal awarded to runners who finish between 11 and 12 hours. 'I never liked running,' Marina admits with a smile. 'I just wanted to walk every day to stay healthy.' But step by step, Marina moved beyond her comfort zone. She ran her first 5km without stopping, progressed to 9km, and eventually completed a half marathon in 2:30. That's when the bug bit, or as she puts it, 'Die gogga het gebyt. I was hooked.' A journey of determination Completing the Comrades Marathon didn't happen overnight. It took Marina four attempts to qualify. After two heartbreaks in 2017 and 2019, where she didn't finish, she finally crossed the line in 2022, finishing the down run in 11:52. She followed it up in 2023 with another strong showing on the up run, 11:54. This year marked her third consecutive finish. Qualifying for Comrades is no small feat. Runners must complete a standard marathon in under 4:49. For Marina, one race has become her go-to event. 'There are too many marathons to mention, but my favourite one is Johnson Crane Marathon. I always run this one as my qualifying race. My best time there was 4:36,' she shared. The long road to the finish Marina trains year-round with her focused Comrades preparations kicking off in January. She runs four times a week, starting as early as 04:00, with long runs on Saturdays, and two strength sessions per week. Sundays are her only rest days. 'My husband is my biggest supporter. Rain or shine, he's out on the road with me, even now, with his foot injury, he cycles while I run,' she said. Although Comrades is more than double the distance of a marathon, Marina says it feels different. 'Running Comrades is actually much easier than a normal marathon because your pace is much slower, even though it's much, much further.' This year's run began well, and for the first 60km, she was on pace to beat her previous time by seven minutes. But then the familiar pain set in. 'My feet started hurting badly, and I had to keep moving my toes, which eventually affected my knees. It was rough,' she said. With just 5km to go and time running out, Marina dug deep. 'I was sore and tired, but I just told myself I'd deal with the painlater. I wasn't going to give up.' Crossing the finish line was an emotional moment. 'It's the most amazing feeling. I always cry. This race shows me that if I can finish Comrades, I can do anything.' More than a runner Marina balances her training with a full-time role at Stepping Stone Hospice, where she works in accounts and reception, liaising with medical aids and managing administrative tasks. She has been part of the team since March 2018. Though she doesn't work directly with patients, the nature of the environment can still be emotionally exhausting. 'Running is like therapy for me. In that time, I can switch off and not think about anything else.' She credits her colleagues, many of whom are tired of hearing her running stories, for being incredibly supportive. Some of the patients at the hospice, she added, were also Comrades runners once and this is a poignant reminder of how much strength and life stories are shared in both running and care work. Looking ahead Marina isn't chasing records or podiums, she runs for the love of it. 'I'm not a serious runner like the elites. I just do it for fun. Comrades is tough, but also fun, and if you're able, I think everyone should try it at least once.' Marina runs for 32GI, a running club that has also supported her journey. While she has no interest in other ultra-marathons, she has set her sights on a special goal of earning her green number, awarded after completing 10 Comrades Marathons. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Show love to Stepping Stone Hospice this Mandela Day
Stepping Stone Palliative Care Services' mission is to provide palliative care to both young and old patients with life-threatening illnesses, and they rely greatly on donations to continue offering dignity care. They are particularly passionate about supporting their children's unit in Raceview, which is home to vulnerable youngsters like Luloyamo Matsinye, fondly known as Lulo, who has been bravely battling Trisomy18, a rare genetic disorder. Despite the odds, Lulo has made remarkable progress under their care, and they are committed to ensuring that she and other young patients grappling life-limiting illnesses receive the support they need. However, Stepping Stone faces significant challenges in providing around-the-clock care to their children, who require specialised attention and support. That is why they are reaching out to companies to help them make a difference. Lulo was admitted to Parklands ICU in October 2024 for the whole month for seizures. 'It was then reported that her seizures were no longer controllable and we were probably at the end of her life because she was diagnosed with Edward's syndrome/Trisomy 18 at birth,' said Fikile Matsinye, her mother. 'This is a rare genetic disorder where a child is born with 47 chromosomes instead of 46. She has three sets of chromosome 18, hence it's called Trisomy 18.' She said this causes defects in the development of major organs. She was born with two holes in her heart, an underdeveloped brain, and other facial feature defects. 'She has miraculously survived it all without major surgery, unlike other children diagnosed with the same condition. Lulo is not using oxygen as anticipated. Her development has surprised her specialists, who believe she is a miracle baby,' Fikile said. Fast forward to November 2024, from Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, she was stepped down to the Stepping Stone Hospice, 'Where we thought she would not live much longer.' To everyone's surprise, she has never had a single seizure since then and has since recovered. 'Unfortunately, the medical aid authorisation was on the palliative care, and they reviewed the authorisation since her recovery. They started taking funds from the savings, which have now been depleted,' she explained. Unfortunately, children in Stepping Stones Palliative Care Centre's care require around-the-clock care because they cannot function independently. 'We would highly appreciate any form of sponsorship or donations. By sponsoring or adopting Stepping Stone this Mandela Day, you will be contributing to providing palliative care to children with life-threatening illnesses, supporting our children's unit, which cares for youngsters like Lulo and enabling us to continue our vital work,' said Tersia Burger, Stepping Stone Hospice founder and CEO. Contact them to learn more about how you can support the Hospice this Mandela Day on 010 442 5059 or email: fundraising@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
