THERE is no such thing as a ‘standard’ patient at Trinity Hospice.
Hospices are generally associated with people suffering from cancer, but in fact the hospice provides support for patients of all ages across the Fylde Coast with all manner of conditions.
Jamie Hanlon, 42, suffers from a serious lung condition which will never get better.
When he needs it, Jamie, who is on the list for a lung transplant, is admitted to hospice’s Day Therapy unit, and when he’s well he spends time volunteering there in a way to give something back for all the care he has received.
He said: “People think hospices are just for old people who are dying, but I need a transplant. I have a chance of living.
“When you first hear the world ‘terminal’, you feel like it’s the end of the world, but it’s not. They have people in this place who are absolutely amazing. You come here and you feel like part of the family.
“I’m reasonably well right now and don’t currently go to Day Therapy, but I know they are there and that Trinity will always be here to support me, whatever happens. Hopefully this place will still be here after we’ve all gone to help more people deal with the stresses and ups and downs in life.”
Irene Bean, from Blackpool, also attends the hospice’s day care, and looks forward to going.
She said: “When people find out you have cancer, sometimes they don’t want to talk about it because they think you might get upset. I just want to say to them ‘I’m still me! Treat me normally!’
“I really enjoy coming to Trinity day care because everyone shares their experiences and people are not frightened to talk about them. I have made new friends, I have done things like painting scarves and self portraits; things I wouldn’t have done at home.
“When people hear the word hospice they imagine a ward full of beds, but to be honest we have a bit of a laugh and I can be a real giggler at times.”
It costs £7m a year to run Trinity Hospice, on Low Moor Road, Bispham, of which only £2m comes from central funding.
And on top of the running costs, the hospice must raise an additional £5m a year for its in-patient unit, Brian House children’s hospice, the Day Therapy Unit and bereavement counselling at Linden Centre.
That’s why the hospice is hoping for a bumper year as it takes the reins for the Beaverbrooks Blackpool 10k Fun Run. The run along the resort’s Golden Mile on Sunday May 12 is open to runners from as young as 11-years-old.
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