What are the achievements that you are most proud of?

• Founded in 1986, we will proudly celebrate 40 years of compassionate care next year. Over the decades, we have grown into a vital part of the local healthcare network, collaborating with multiple partners, hosting fundraising events, and being sustained by our dedicated volunteers and donors—who contribute at least 25% of our budget.
• At Knysna Sedgefield Hospice, our greatest achievement is the trust and reputation we have built within our community. Our tagline, “Locals Caring for Locals,” reflects the deep-rooted support we receive and the commitment we have to those we serve.
• Beyond direct patient care, we play a key role in training healthcare professionals and organisations in palliative care in the Eden/Karoo districts. Our role with medical students is a great source of pride. Through our training, one of our most impactful initiatives was establishing the Palliative Care Team at Knysna Provincial Hospital in 2015—a successful, multi-organisation, multidisciplinary collaboration
• We have maintained COHSASA accreditation since 2006, ensuring that our governance and clinical care meet international quality standards. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to excellence, compassion, respect, education, and community service.

What are the obstacles that you may have had to overcome to achieve these?

Limited resources, requiring us to be creative and resourceful in sustaining our services.

Overcoming stigma, particularly around:

• Hospice care being equated with death rather than quality of life.
• The lingering shame associated with HIV/AIDS and even TB in certain communities.
• The misconception that morphine use equals euthanasia, rather than effective pain management.
• Late referrals because of shame associated with the diagnosis.

These barriers have required continuous education, advocacy, and community engagement to shift perceptions.

What would you still like to achieve?

• Expand access to palliative care—Currently, we estimate that we reach only 25% of those who need our support.
• Achieve financial sustainability—Securing consistent funding would allow us to focus more on patient care and less on daily financial constraints.

What assistance would assist you in achieving this?

Funding remains our most pressing need. Sustainable financial support would enable us to:

• Expand services to reach more patients in need.
• Continue training healthcare professionals in palliative care.
• Strengthen our infrastructure to ensure high-quality care for years to come.

With continued community involvement and donor support, we believe we can make palliative care accessible to all who need it.