Every year, around 2,000 people are referred to Mercy Health’s Palliative Care program, one of the largest in-community palliative care programs in Australia.
At any time, this dedicated and passionate team are providing life-changing care to 500-600 people in the West, supporting them to live comfortably, even in the most difficult moments.
Matthew was referred into the Mercy Palliative Care program in 2019, after 22-years battling a debilitating tumour.
Matthew at home
Diagnosed at 15-years-old, Matthew was given six months to live, but his fighting spirit, and the support of his family and friends, allowed Matthew to live his life until he was 37 – a true testament to his fierce sense of independence and fighting spirit.
Kirsten, a physiotherapist at MPC, and a key member of Matthew’s care team, worked with him and his family to access the services, equipment and support needed to ensure he could life his best life while he could.
“When I first started working with Matthew, he had no NDIS coverage and wasn’t eligible under My Aged Care. He was one of those tricky ones where we had no other options for funding, so we needed to access funds from the Mercy Health Foundation’s urgent need fund,” Kirsten says.
Mercy Health Foundation’s urgent need fund is supported by a donor community, committed to enabling the best care for people in palliative care. Donor funds support equipment, education, care and new programs. Donors can have a huge impact on the way people live well during their final days.
Funding equipment for palliative care clients, like Matthew, has an enormous impact on quality of life, and when the financial burden is removed it helps people to accept the need for further support.
“A lot of the time people are very reluctant because they’re not wanting to accept change in declining function. So, they’re putting it off and saying ‘no, we don’t really need that’, whereas when they get it, it’s actually really helpful,” Kirsten says.
“Matthew was on board by the end and his mum and dad were extremely grateful for the support, the patience, the guidance and the education that they received, because it allowed them to keep Matthew at home longer, which was his wish,” Kirsten says.
Matthew’s parents, Sue and Peter, cannot speak highly enough of the care that Matthew, and their family, received.
“Matthew’s internal struggle was difficult… to give up and allow someone else to care for him, for him to trust the palliative care team, it was a huge step, and I cannot speak highly enough of the team and all they did,” Sue says.
“To go through an experience like that, a parent shouldn’t have to lose a child, but to know we were supported 24/7 was amazing. They are very special people – they are angels.”
Because of the support of the MPC team, Matthew was able to live out his wish of dying at home, surrounded by his family in his own bed.
“Matthew wanted to be at home and to be with the family. He had so much spirit and he fought the demon inside him for as long as he could.
“We feel at peace knowing that Matthew was able to achieve his wishes… he has inspired us to keep going,” Sue says.
By supporting Mercy Palliative Care, you are joining a special donor community and enabling more people like Matthew to live their best lives while they can. Your donation will go towards funding vital equipment, services and support, and will alleviate undue pressure on already struggling families during very difficult times.
Last reviewed December 5, 2023.