Bee (right) and colleague Judy at our Superhero Walk
Our Superhero Walk, where people in our community pledged to raise funds for Waipuna Hospice and honour those they love, recently wrapped up for 2024. Bee McKinnon, a nurse in our Inpatient Unit, took part and raised $592 to support our work! We spoke to her about her personal experience with hospice services, which led her to take part and fundraise.
Before Bee began working for Waipuna Hospice, both her mother and her best friend, Stena, went through hospice care. In 2008, Bee’s mother passed away from adrenal cancer at the age of 65. Reflecting on her Mum’s experience, Bee recalled the exceptional care provided by the hospice team. “Hospice was great with Mum and she received excellent care. The day she died was a beautiful sunny day, and she slipped away so gently and peacefully. Sixteen years later we still take so much comfort from the manner in which her last days unfolded.”
Seeing both her mum and best friend go through hospice is what led her to a career in palliative care. “I was doing general medical nursing at the time, but wondered if there was something worth exploring in palliative care. I didn’t go straight into it, but I always had it in the back of my mind that I would love to be a hospice nurse. I wasn’t sure I could do it though, if I’m honest. But one day I just thought, what the heck, I’ll try it – and I love it!”
Now having worked here for eight years, Bee has carried her personal experiences into caring for hospice patients. “The thing I always remember from our experience with Mum, is that those last moments are what stay with you in the years to come. There is so much peace of mind and comfort for the road ahead, when your last memories are that your loved one was settled and pain free. In our work at Waipuna Hospice, we do all we can for our patients so that they are able to end their days comfortably and peacefully.”
Participating in the Superhero Walk brought Bee full circle – from having loved ones go through the service, to becoming a hospice nurse, and now being a supporter of the work she does.
Going this extra mile shows how much she values hospice care. “We really believe in the work that we do. Every day we hope to be able to make a difference.”
Being able to walk in honour of her mum and best friend and experience the support of the community was such a positive experience for Bee. “I felt like Mum and Stena would have been pleased and proud. It’s nice to do something that is in their memory. In a way it keeps them alive.”
We want to thank Bee for sharing her story, and for going above and beyond to support Waipuna Hospice.
If you would like to support the work of Waipuna Hospice, Bee, and all of our nursing staff, please donate today.
This story was originally published in Waipuna Connections Issue 86.