Your Stories

Geoff and Donna Mann

Donna Mann had just turned 55 when she passed away in the Mary Potter Hospice. It was February 2006 and only five months since she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"Donna was a reserved, private person who was loved by all her friends, her work colleagues at ChemPlus and adored by her family. Considering her relatively young age and healthy lifestyle, her diagnosis came as a real shock" recalls her husband Geoff Mann. Donna was referred by her local doctor to Dr Tabitha Healey at the Calvary Cancer Centre. It was Tabitha who arranged for Donna to receive respite care in Calvary Hospital and then in the Mary Potter Hospice.

Just after New Year, Donna's condition deteriorated and she returned to the Mary Potter Hospice for the last time. "I was terribly sad; Donna and I sat talking quietly together knowing that she was saying goodbye to her home and her life as she knew it. Donna and I had already experienced the compassionate care at the Hospice previously so this was the next step. I was able to spend every night at the Hospice with Donna until she passed away. For the last five nights our sons were also able to join us and stay, so Donna was constantly surrounded by her family. The fact that Mary Potter 'cares for all' is just one of the reasons it is a very special place.

At her funeral, donations in Donna's memory were made to the Mary Potter Foundation and in March 2006 Geoff and his sons took part in their first Walk for Love.

"I was sponsored by work and family and friends and we raised $712.00. We won second place and I was presented with an award at the Annual General Meeting. I was amazed at how special everyone was that I met, it meant a lot."

Geoff has just completed his second Walk for Love. "I like supporting the Mary Potter Hospice - their caring was just so special, beyond our expectations."