Helping Liene fulfil final wishes with her family

Liene’s story

When Liene Pastore, 49, found out that her cancer was incurable, she had two big dreams: to be able to take her five-year-old son to the zoo for the day and to give something back to the place that helped her so much throughout her life.

She said: “The cancer had spread much quicker than they anticipated and is now in many parts of my body.

“It was a shock. At that point, I was told I had maybe days or weeks to live. It has now been four weeks.

“My husband was caring for me at home, but it was not a good set up. My body was very weak but my son wanted me to go out with him and play. When my GP suggested I was transferred to the Inpatient Unit at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, I just knew it was the right thing for us.”

During a recent conversation with Liene, a Rennie Grove Peace doctor asked if there was anything special she wanted to do. When she said she was keen to have a family day out with her husband and son at the zoo, the fundraising team worked alongside the Inpatient team to arrange a VIP visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Liene said: “The trip was so well organised. We had the opportunity to feed giraffes, elephants and lemurs.

“Noah saw all these big animals – he was so overwhelmed and so happy. He was able to feed the giraffes a big willow branch. He was almost tussling with the giraffe as it pulled on the huge branch. It was so funny!

“Noah loves elephants. They are his favourite animals. He was so excited to see them. It was nice for me to see his excitement when he saw the newborn elephant and to see how happy he was.

“It was a really lovely day out. I’m so grateful to the hospice for arranging that for us.”

Liene was shocked when she learned that the hospice only receives 14% of its funding from the government. The rest is raised by the generosity of the local community. She is now raising funds to enable other people to benefit from the impeccable care and support she has received.

A ten-mile-long charity walk was organised which more than 25 people took part in earlier this month.

Liene added: “The kindness here at Rennie Grove Peace has mentally boosted me. My body is giving me lots of trouble but spiritually and mentally I feel very strong at the moment. I just love life for life. Just being alive. Hearing the birdsong, looking out at the garden, seeing flowers. I can enjoy it all. So I guess that’s why I’m still here.”

Liene has enjoyed art therapy at the hospice, both on her own and with her son. She has also spoken highly of her physiotherapy and rehabilitation care, and the fact she always has somebody she can talk to. Her family have also received support.

She said: “Every person I’ve met here shows kindness. People do it with love, from the heart. Staff and volunteers also have time to care. They can sit and spend some time talking. That’s different from my experience in hospitals.

Our Inpatient Unit Nurse Ellie Grant, who has been looking after Liene, said:

“Something like this zoo trip is what we are all about at Rennie Grove Peace; Helping people to live well, enjoy the things they still enjoy and go about life in a way that feels comforting, fun and safe. We love being able to help families create meaningful, loving long-lasting memories that are personal to them.”

Liene has set up a JustGiving page to raise as much money as she can for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.

Our Director of Fundraising, Tracey Hancock said: “Liene’s wish is to raise funds for Rennie Grove Peace to give something back while she is being cared for in our Inpatient Unit. We call on anyone in the community to give what they can and help Liene achieve her wishes to fundraise, so that more patients can be looked after by us.” 

If you would like to read more about Liene’s Care at Rennie Grove Peace – click here.