A Cumbrian man has shared the story of his wife’s final days to encourage people to support Eden Valley Hospice by leaving a legacy in their will.
Michael Edwards’ wife Lynn died after bowel cancer spread to her liver.
But despite the couple initially believing Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle was just a place to die, they soon realised its support allowed them to enjoy being together and not focus on the pain and the sorrow.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, is one of 143 care centres across Scotland, England and Wales taking part in the Hospice UK National Legacy campaign.
Around one third of its finances comes from gifts left in wills which funds care that isn’t just for the patient but is extended to their loved ones too.
Lynn was diagnosed in 2016 but by the end of 2017 her bowel cancer had spread, and the prognosis was terminal.
She was first referred to the day hospice, then in March 2018 things took a turn for the worse and she was admitted for end-of-life care.
Michael, who has written a gift for Eden Valley Hospice into his own Will, said: “It’s a good service and it needs to be protected. The atmosphere was like a home from home.”
Jenny Wilson, director of clinical services and deputy chief executive at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, said: “Gifts in wills are vital to the survival and growth of hospices like ours, that’s why we’re asking our incredible supporters and community to consider leaving a gift to our hospice.
“We’ve come together with hospices across the country to highlight the essential role hospices play in our communities and protect our future.”
Michael said: “Lynn came into my life in 1966 and we got married in 1972. On two occasions, when Lynn became pregnant, neither child came to full term. Obviously, this was devastating but it was important in our relationship because we decided to enjoy life and tackle any problem together.
“Lynn did very well in her career with British Gas, and set up a consultancy, so we were able to retire young.
“But she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. The operation to remove it was successful but then we found it had travelled to her liver. By the end of 2017 we knew it wasn’t going away.
“We got referred to the Eden Valley Hospice and she first went as a day patient. They were first class and helped her a lot.
“Before we went, we believed the hospice was just a place to come to die. But we started to change our views. A lot of patients go in and come out, not because they’ve been cured but because they’re stable.
“It’s only when you’ve been through the process you know how important it is.
“We had people around us who really care, and they’re really interested in your wellbeing. You can have a chat about anything you’re thinking about. And they’re very receptive.
“The hospice does support everybody, it isn’t just the person who’s at the end of their life.
“The biggest difference compared to hospitals was they knew the person in the bed and they always called you by your name.
“It’s impossible to put a price on what the hospice gave to us and that’s one of the reasons we decided to support it. It helped us provide the best end of life we could have had.
“We didn’t focus on the pain or the sorrow, we just enjoyed being together. We wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if we hadn’t been in that environment and the hospice gave us that.
“If you want this service to continue then making a contribution, however small, in your will is absolutely essential.”
For details of how you can support the hospice through your will, visit https://www.edenvalleyhospice.org/giftinwill/
