Race4Life Board Member, Founder, B.Ed
A teacher and deputy principal for some years, mother of three adult children and married to a land surveyor, Viv, worked for 8 years in the Palliative Care area with Mercy Hospice Auckland (MHA). Her role there was to establish what was called the Opening Doors Programme, which plays a significant part in improving the quality of life of people living with life limiting illness. The programme introduced people to new ideas, new people and new concepts. The objective of the programme was based on the belief of “living every moment”. Viv insists that a major ingredient of the whole exercise is the recognition of FUN!
It was a privilege to see how the programme established an atmosphere of relaxation and connection for people who otherwise would often be socially isolated.
The Wish-List Service, whereby patients expressed some of their innermost desires, with a chance of seeing them fulfilled, was a natural development from all the fore-goings.
Viv’s persistence that the primary purpose in all this, was to LISTEN TO THE PATIENT, treating them with respect, for their integrity, while showing understanding, has been a driving force throughout.
February 2015 saw a totally unexpected development when Viv was given a diagnosis of Melanoma. This brought her even closer to those for whom she had been striving. Her passion for seeing that this work continues, has led to the development of the Race4LifeTrust.
Her whole heart is set on this project, knowing that it can make such an amazing difference in peoples’ lives.
