Rainbow of Ribbons Returns

Thursday 07 Mar 2019
Rainbow of Ribbons is making a welcome return this year inviting you to join us as we come together, remember our loved ones and celebrate their amazing lives as we add a rainbow of colour to the beautiful gardens of the Hospice. Dedicate a coloured ribbon to your loved one as a special tribute which can be displayed in the Overgate Hospice garden or in your own meaningful place.
 
By dedicating a ribbon, you are helping us to support more patients and their families each and every day. You are helping us to provide specialist care at an incredibly difficult time, giving relatives and friends the chance to spend the most precious time with their loved one. Thank you, this means so much. 
  
We hope you can join us at our Open Garden event on Saturday 1st June to display your ribbons and spend time with family and friends as you remember those you love and miss. The gardens are open 11am-4:30pm and there will be music and refreshments available.

Dawn has very kindly shared why she will be joining us at the Hospice to tie her own ribbon. 


Dawn's Story

"On April 13th 2016, my Husband Paddy was diagnosed with GIST Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. As a family, we were devastated.
 
Paddy was admitted to Leeds General Infirmary where he had a large tumour and part of his intestines removed. The surgeon was successful in removing the entire tumour and we were given hope again that Paddy could recover from this. Sadly, just four months later, a scan showed that the cancer had returned and this time, was inoperable. Paddy started chemotherapy again and we hoped so much that it would work.
 
Shortly after this, in January 2017, a palliative care team contacted us and Paddy was offered a day out every week to the Day Hospice at Overgate. He loved it! He looked forward to going every week and felt he was in a safe and welcoming environment where he could discuss his treatment and his fears with people who truly understood. Paddy continued to attend Day Hospice while still receiving treatment at Leeds General Infirmary. Unfortunately, in October, we were given the devastating news that the cancer wasn’t responding to the treatment and the decision was made to stop Paddy’s chemo.

Paddy deteriorated quite quickly after Christmas 2017 and was offered respite care at Overgate. As a family, we were massively grateful for the time he spent in respite as it gave us all a break from what was an incredibly difficult time. Throughout his time at Overgate, all of Paddy’s treatment, care and welfare were discussed fully with us all and he was always given a choice in how he wanted to be cared for.
 
Paddy was treated with such care and compassion, as were his family. Nothing was too much trouble for the absolute angels that are always there, day and night, for the patients and their families. Paddy made the decision that when his time came, he would like to be at Overgate. He felt so peaceful and safe there and I was always welcomed, day or night, to be with him in his final weeks.

My Husband Paddy passed away at Overgate on 16th July 2018. It was dignified and serene and I cannot thank everyone at Overgate enough for making a difficult time much more bearable.
I will be tying a ribbon for Rainbow of Ribbons this Spring in memory of Paddy and to support the amazing care given every day at Overgate Hospice. Thank you. "

 
To join Dawn in dedicating a ribbon please click below or telephone 01422 387121.