The Karuna Hospice Service LtdABN 28 055 211 473

PO Box 2020 Windsor Queensland 403027 Cartwright Street Windsor Queensland 4030

Phone: 1300 KARUNA (1300 527 862)Fax: (07) 3857 8040

Email: karuna@karuna.org.auWeb: www.karuna.org.au

Kindness, compassion and courage when life is in transition

Making a Bequest to Karuna

Remembering Karuna in your Will

A bequest is a gift of personal property or real estate made through a Will. After providing for loved ones many people choose to make a gift to a charity such as Karuna.

Having a current Will is the only way to ensure that your financial affairs will be settled exactly as you wish. A bequest is a very worthwhile and meaningful way of showing you care.

The suggested wording is:“I bequeath free of all duties and charges (description of gift) to The Karuna Hospice Service Ltd, PO Box 2020, Windsor, 4030 in the State of Queensland, for the general charitable purposes thereof and I declare that the receipt of the Secretary or Honorary Treasurer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.”

Where it says ‘description of gift’ you could put…• A proportion of your estate (e.g. ‘half of my estate’)

• The residue of your estate after you look after family members

• A specified sum of money, or specific items such as investments, real estate, artwork or jewellery.

“When diagnosed with a life-threatening tumour at 17, Charlie Addison’s first question was whether he would be able to finish his innings at cricket. He fought to complete a good innings in life, undergoing neurosurgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. With Karuna’s compassionate assistance, he celebrated his 19th birthday at home, surrounded by family and friends. Karuna helped him to live well and die well.”

Charlie’s parents

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The hospital advised us that he should stay in their care but Philip had different ideas, he was coming home and I was determined to do everything I could to honour his wishes.

Although I was scared, Karuna helped me believe we could get through this. Karuna was with us at every turn, extending the care beyond just Philip by supporting the whole family. Karuna kept us going.

Philip’s passing, as sad and difficult as it was, will always shine a light of warmth in my heart. We did it! We fulfilled the greatest and biggest wish he had, to die at home surrounded by the love of his family and his favourite music. At home we gave him what no hospital could have, a view that meant the world to him, a place that filled his heart, the people he cared about most and Harry, his dog, lying with him to the end.

Joan Wilson-Jones

We also provide:

• meditation coaching

• online information

• carer education and training

• Buddhism studies

• workplace programs

• training for health professionals.

In serving the community Karuna strives to follow the inspirational ideals and examples set by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Karuna’s Spiritual Patron, whose own lifelong mission is to serve others with universal compassion and kindness. These are Karuna’s underlying values.

Karuna relies heavily on the kindness of others. Only a portion of our funding comes from Queensland Health and the remaining money must be raised through donations. Community support is vital.

If you have already made a gift to Karuna in your Will

A Will is a private matter but if you have remembered Karuna, you may like to let us know so that we can thank you and give you the option of appropriate recognition. Any discussion is treated confidentially.

What our families say about Karuna

Karuna by their very presence strengthened both my wife and I in different ways. As fairly new arrivals to Brisbane and well into the cancer journey we were an isolated couple with few friends and no immediate family support. When the storm finally came my wife and I both felt the love and support of Karuna and others. While this storm swept my wife away and left me alone, we were both cleansed by the love that we received.

Geoff and Annie

Our family will always be thankful to Karuna for helping us achieve the ‘impossible’…

Philip and I were the happiest we had ever been in our lives. We had just finished building the farm we had dreamt of for years. But one day, not long after we moved in, Philip was diagnosed with cancer and that changed everything.

The first few years after the diagnosis we looked for answers and tried everything. However, despite Philip’s amazing determination to ‘beat’ his cancer, he started to get very sick and we realized he was not going to get better. His pain was terrible, he was unsteady and unable to manage most functions on his own.

Care when you need it most

Karuna is a Brisbane-based charity established to help people live a meaningful and happy life while embracing uncertainty and change.

Life is our most precious possession. Its loss our most difficult yet inescapable experience. Karuna believes that having the skills and support to face the challenges and uncertainty can make the journey easier. As a result, we have developed models of care and education which help people understand, prepare for and face the end of life with calm and acceptance. Since 1992 Karuna has used its expertise and compassion to help thousands of individuals and families cope with loss. We take the time to understand a person’s needs and provide a holistic approach to delivering the best possible support.

All of Karuna’s home care is provided free of charge and includes:

• assessment of client and family needs

• home nursing care for pain and symptom management

• nursing equipment loans

• family counselling and emotional support

• spiritual support

• after hours support

• bereavement support for people of all ages including children

• closure ceremonies including funerals and memorial services.

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