By Dan Tam | Assistant Marketing Manager
Advanced stage cancer brings has a massive impact on the quality of life to cancer patients and their families. They need to cope with the ongoing physical symptoms, deterioration of the physical function, increasing psychosocial distress and disruption of social activities. They also need to face existential and spiritual issues, including the meaning of life and dealing with death.
To fulfil their unmet needs the Hong Kong Cancer Fund (HKCF) foster End-of-Life (EOL) care by offering individual and group-based services to give respect to the patient's wishes and values.
Case sharing: Mandy was a 64 years-old a pancreatic cancer patient (stage 4). This was her second cancer which was originally diagnosed in 2016 and then relapsed in 2020. She was referred to HKCF service by a community elderly centre. Initially our Case Manager supported her in communicating with other social service parties for DA and application of CSSA. After the relationship and trust were built, Mandy shared more about her concerns and worries regarding her end of life. She did not want to become a burden on her family. The Case Manager encouraged her to share her feelings and thoughts with her daughters, and to discuss about an advanced care plan together. Our team introduced the family to some palliative services and different options, such as Hospice at Home service.
The Case Manager also invited Mandy to join programs such as Living with Cancer - Symptoms Management in Palliative Care, Capturing Precious Moments Photography, etc. When the family felt ready, Mandy was encouraged to share her thoughts about her funeral and other related arrangements. Mandy’s daughter was relieved that Mandy was able to live in a private hospice home at the very late stage of her life. Mandy’s daughter expressed her and her mother’s appreciation to the support of HKCF.
During the period from April 2021 to March 2022, HKCF has provided 33 programmes / groups with 67 sessions to serve 341 cancer patients and their caregivers. Apart from organizing programmes, our multi-professional team also provided 2,925 counselling sessions to 288 cancer patients and 350 family members, providing immediate and practical psychosocial support during the palliative stage and bereavement period.
We receive no funding from the Government or the Community Chest and we rely on friends like you who share our vision and commitment so we can offer free professional services in this extremely challenging environment.
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