Jingle Bells & Bows Fun Run

Lights of Love

Christmas Cards

Carols in the Chapel

£1 PER TICKETTickets Enclosed

“I’M MARK, NOT A CANCER

PATIENT”SEE PAGE 3

Isabel’s Christmas

2 • Isabel’s Christmas Cracker • www.isabelhospice.org.uk

The Perfect gift that gives twice this Christmas

Isabel Hospice started in 1982 with the first ofour Community Nurses caring for patients intheir own homes. Our Day Hospice opened in1986, followed in 1990 by the original In-PatientUnit.

Our aim is to enhance the quality of life of thepatients by ensuring that they are as free from painand discomfort as possible, and to supportemotionally, spiritually and practically. By addressing these needs we help patients toremain in their own homes.We now support almost 2,700 patients, carers andfamily members each year through our integratedrange of services.The Community Nursing Team comprisesspecialist nurses and staff nurses who make almost10,000 visits each year to patients, their familiesand to primary health care teams. They providesymptom control and also advise and help patientsmake informed choices about their treatment andcare.The Hospice at Home Team provides a highlevel of care and support in patients' homes for upto 24 hours a day. The aim is to help those whoneed specialist palliative care in a crisis situation,or who would like to be at home for the last fewdays of their lives.Each year over 300 patients regularly visit ourDay Hospice in Welwyn Garden City and ourSatellite facilities in Bishop’s Stortford, WalthamCross and Hoddesdon last year. A comprehensiveservice is offered including information, support,creative art and art therapy, counselling andvarious relaxation therapies.

Isabel Hospice Cares for Local People Living with Cancer and other

Life-limiting Illness

An In-Patient Hospice (IPU) in the grounds ofthe QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, providescare through a full team of health careprofessionals. Patients are admitted to IPU forsymptom control and end of life care. About 260patients are admitted to our IPU each year.The Family Support Team consists ofspecialists including social workers, counsellors,pastoral carers, an Art Therapist, and a WelfareBenefits Adviser who provide care and support forpatients and their families both before and after thebereavement.These services cost nearly £5 million each year, ofwhich we have to raise over £3.5 million.Please join the Lottery to support your localHospice and enjoy the chance to win £1,000.This map shows the area covered by the Hospiceand comprises the Boroughs of Broxbourne andWelwyn Hatfield and the District of EastHertfordshire. All Hospice services are free.

Tired of buying Aunty Joan slippers each Christmas, or socks for Uncle Tom?How about buying a present that could make a huge difference to many peoples lives including the person you gave it to. Look no further. You can buy a lottery membership gift that will solve all your festive nightmares.Here is the perfect gift which not only helps our Hospice but gives your friend or family member the opportunity of winning our weekly top prize of £1000 and the chance of winning one of our other 27 cash prizes.

Simply complete the form and return it to us by 10th December 2012. We will send you your gift certificate along with one of our Christmas cards for you to give it in.

If you would like to purchase more than one gift, please let us know and we will get further forms to you.

If you are not already a member and would like to join, just complete the form with your details only.

Standing order forms available on request.

Lisa Archer Lottery Manager 01707 382594

Lottery

Gift Certificate

This Certificate entitles

To weeks in our lottery draw

Valid from for weeks

Unique Number

www.Isabelhospice.org.u

k

Registered Charity Number 1046826

Not Redeemable for cash / not Transferable

Telephone; 01707 382594

Lottery Manager

Father Christmas

Mark’s analytical mind is in evidence as he talks about the many clinical trials he has undergone as he tries to beat his diagnosis at 46 of inoperable prostate cancer. That’s not surprising as Marks’s background is as a crime analyst for Hertfordshire Police, and his mind is never still.

Susie Baines, Mark’s Isabel Hospice Clinical Nurse Specialist said “Mark’s such an interesting and amazing chap. Every time I visit him, he has researched a new drug, a new trial, a new procedure.” Mark describes himself as a ‘bloke’. He loves fishing, Tottenham and films. He loved his job. He felt it defined him as a person and he struggled for 14 hard months, to keep the news of his illness away from everyone at work, but ironically it was only when he was medically retired, that he felt he had his life back. “I’d had a few times in the night when I’d struggled to go to the toilet” explained Mark “so my wife Deb packed me off to the Doctor. I didn’t feel ill, I felt fine, but then I saw a man in a little room at my local hospital, and they told me I had locally advanced prostate cancer. They said they had nothing left

in their box of tricks to give me.

I didn’t accept that. I couldn’t! I found a wonderful man who saw me at the Royal Marsden, we call him in the family, “The Wizard of Oz”, Professor Johan De Bono. He is like the Wizard because you rarely see him, but he pulls all the handles to make things in my world work. By hiding it at work, it made my home life unbearable, but work was part of my identity. I wasn’t a cancer patient while I was at work. But the time had come for something to give, and so after a long process I was medically retired out of the police.”Since Mark’s diagnosis he has undergone many clinical trials and cutting edge treatments although unfortunately none have been able to cure him.Mark adds “Dr Pia Amsler, the Consultant from Isabel Hospice has just been so brilliant. She is the most marvellous person. She completely sussed me out. I was always one for leaving taking the drugs until I really needed them. Now, whatever she tells me to do I’ll do it. She phoned me over the Jubilee weekend to see how I was. She made me understand that the drugs were there to help me enjoy my life, she helped me ‘get it’, she taught me how to think differently about them and I am so grateful to her.I am also very grateful to the counsellor I have been seeing from the Hospice, Jo. I never felt I needed counselling, blokes

don’t do they! But being able to talk to someone outside the family, someone I can tell anything to, someone that cares about me, but isn’t emotionally involved like Deb is so good for me, and Deb. I don’t have to dump everything on Deb anymore. I see my life in a triangle, The Royal Marsden is one point, Isabel Hospice is another and my family and friends are another. I live within this triangle. I hope that by sharing my story, I am able to raise awareness of what brilliant work the Hospice does. They do things how I want them to be done and I am able to lean on them. They are extraordinary.”

Mark died on August 11th. He had been able, with the advice and support of the Hospice to go on a family holiday to Majorca just a few weeks before. Our condolences go to his family and many friends.

They said they had nothing left in their box of tricks to give me.

I found a wonderful man who saw me at the Royal Marsden, we call him in the family, “The Wizard of Oz”

This is the story of Mark, an Isabel Hospice patient. In his own words you will hear how special our staff are.By supporting Isabel Hospice you are ensuring other people get the same level of care and compassion that Mark and his family have had.

On September 16th many of Mark’s family and friends took part in the Hospice’s annual Chain Walk. Thank you to everyone who took part in the 17

simultaneous walks, and helped to raise nearly £10,000 in the process. The Chain Walk is supported by Ramblers Worldwide Holidays.

Father Christmas

4 • Isabel’s Christmas Cracker • www.isabelhospice.org.uk

Tuesday 18th December 10.00am - 2pmRoselands Choir – Christmas CarolsShoppers at the Howard Centre, Welwyn Garden City will be serenaded by the children from Roselands Choir in Hoddesdon. Come and listen between midday and 1pm.

Thursday 20th December 7.30pmCharity performance of: Wind in the Willows A dramatisation of Grahame’s classic taleof riverbank animals.At the Barn Theatre, Handside Lane, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST Adapted by Alan Bennett, directed by Keith Thompson.Toad finds himself in prison and manages to escape, but not before Toad Hall, his pride and joy, has been overrun by the wicked weasels. A real family favourite.

Tickets are £10 each, Call 01707 382500

January 2013The Panto CinderellaPresented by the Digswell Players - at Digswell Village Hall (AL6 0AT) January dates available ring for details. Tickets £8.50 and £5.50. For under 16’s less 50p per ticket if paid before Christmas. Box office: 0845 20 90 100.A donation will be made to Isabel Hospice.

Things to see & do

The Bum Ball

Christmas Carols

Winter Solstice

The Wind in the Willows

Cinderella

Christmas Fayre

We’ve got a great programme of festive events for you to enjoy

Saturday 17th November 10.30am - 3pmChristmas Fayre at The Free ChurchTo be held in aid of the Hospice and The Free Church at Church Road, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6PS. Refreshments will be available all day and lunch from midday. Children can visit Santa, there is also a free children’s entertainer and activities. There will be a variety of stalls including crafts, cards, plants and baking.

Admission is £1.50, seniors £1. Enquiries, Joyce Nicholson 01707 326829.

Saturday 17th November 7pm - 11pmThe Bum BallThe evening is black tie with a 3 course meal, auction, casino and entertainment by The Groove Brothers. A ball in aid of Isabel Hospice, Beating Bowel Cancer and CTRT. To be held at Manor of Groves Hotel, High Wych, Sawbridgeworth, Herts CM21 0JU. Tel. 0870 410 8833. Tickets cost £65 and are available from Jane Redgrave Tel. 01920 484542.

Wednesday 21st November 7.30pmWinter Solstice – Hoddesdon Floral SocietyA demonstration of floral art with a Christmas theme by Patricia Dibben. Tickets cost £8. Please call 01992 464056 or 01992 464598. Proceeds to be shared by club funds and Isabel Hospice. The demonstration will take place at Broxbourne Civic Hall, High Street, Hoddesdon EN11 8BE.

Sunday 25th November 10.30am - 4.30pmChristmas Fair at Wodson ParkCome along to this great Christmas Fair to get all your gifts, decorations and festive food. Visit us at our new, expanded venue, Wodson Park, Wadesmill Road,Ware, Herts, SG12 0HZ. This event was previously held at Hanbury Manor. Entry is £3 per person, free for accompanied children. Prospective stallholders should contact Renee Friend on 01279 755320.

Wednesday 5th December 11am - 3.30pmCare4aFestiveCuppa Please join us for this festive tea party and help raise funds for the Hospice. High Fields, Park Green, Berden CM23 1BA

Roselands Choir serenading the shoppers

Isabel’s Christmas Cracker • www.isabelhospice.org.uk • 5

This year’s Christmas Card Competition winners produced some lovely images which have been made into cards. They are on sale now in all of our shops, with every pack sold contributing to providing care for Isabel Hospice patients and their families. For personalised Christmas Cards, please go to: www.isabelhospice.org.uk

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of sending cards this year, why not put up this poster in your workplace. Everyone gets wished the Seasons Greetings but the money you would have spent on cards can be donated to the Hospice instead. Ring Susan Warren on 01707 382500 for more information, or download a poster from: www.isabelhospice.org.uk

Please donate any unwanted Christmas gifts to our Green Santa Appeal. Things like chocolates, wines and spirits, bath and shower smellies, jewellery, clothing and gift tokens are all needed throughout the year as prizes for our many

fundraising auctions and raffles. What you don’t want, we do! Please ensure the donated items are in good condition, so whoever wins them will be delighted with their prize. You can donate items at any of our shops or to our HQ.

61 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1JR

Corporate Relationship Manager, Emma Lippiatt would love to see you at this Christmas networking drinks evening. Current supporters are welcome as are any new faces. The more the merrier!

Emma says “Merry Christmas to all the businesses who have supported the Hospice over the year and thank you for the monetary donations, sponsorships, adoptions and gifts of expertise and labour.”

Networking with heartat Christmas!Wednesday 12th DecemberThe Priory, Ware 6pm - 8.30pm £8 per personMulled Wine and Mince Pies.RSVP: emma.lippiatt@isabelhospice.org.uk

Green Santa

FUN RUN

Jingle Bells& Bows

Cut me out and send me back to Isabel Hospice!!!

Join us for the 6th annual festive fun run and help raise vital funds for Isabel Hospice.

Choose from either a 5km run or a 4km route where you can walk, jog or run - you decide! Come along on your own or as part of a team, with your family and friends and get into the Christmas spirit!

Refreshments and Hot Food will be available to purchase as well as a raffle, so you could be in with the chance to win some great prizes.

Dogs are welcome to come along, dress up, and join in too with prizes for the best dressed dog! Please note that they must be kept on a lead at all times.

Optional fancy dress encouraged, with prizes for the best outfits!

Name: ......................................................................................Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms

Address: .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Post Code: .........................................................................

Date of Birth: ......... / ......... / ...........

Email: ....................................................................................... o I give Isabel Hospice permission to contact me by email

To help save on postage, please provide an email address so that we can send

further correspondence to you electronically.

Home telephone: ........................................................ Mobile: ..........................................................................

Individual Team

There are Adults Under 16s Under 5s

Name of Team: ............................................................

o 5k run, 11am o 4k run/walk 12 noon Registration from 10am

o Cheque PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO ISABEL HOSPICE

I enclose a cheque for £ ............................ made payable to Isabel Hospice.

o Credit / Debit Card PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

I authorise payment of £ .............................. Card: VISA / MASTERCARD / SWITCH / MAESTRO

Card No.

Expiry Date: Security Code:

Signed: ...................................................Date: ...........................................

o I am unable to attend but please accept the enclosed donation of £................... made payable to Isabel Hospice.

o I am a UK taxpayer and would like my donation of £...................... and all future donations to be treated as Gift Aid.

o I would not like to receive information about Isabel Hospice. Isabel Hospice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1988. Your details will not be disclosed to any third parties.

Signed: ...................................................Date: ...........................................

DISCLAIMER: I understand that I enter this event at my own risk and that the organisers and sponsors will not be liable for any accident, injury, loss or damage sustained, resulting from this event unless at the organisers negligence.

Jingle Bells & Bows 2012Fun Run Entry Form

(PLEASE WRITE TEAM NAMES AND ADDRESSES ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER)

Payment details

Sunday 2nd December 2012Stanborough Lakes, Welwyn Garden City

Isabel’s Christmas Cracker • www.isabelhospice.org.uk • 7

Carols intheChapel

The Chapel, Haileybury College, Hertford Heath, SG13 7NUTickets £15 to include festive refreshments

Tuesday 18th December 7.30pm

All enquiries to Katie Robertson:E-mail: katie.robertson@isabelhospice.org.uk

01707 382500

Come &Sing with us!

Lightsof Love 2012

Our Lights of Love ceremonies are a way for family and friends to remember loved ones at what can be a very difficult time of year.

Enclosed in this newsletter is the application form for names to be entered into the eight Books of Love which will be on display at each of our ceremonies.

Please fill it in and return it to us if you would like your loved one remembered in this way. Thank you.

The Dickens Christmas BallSaturday 8th December 2012Capel Manor, Enfield

We cordially invite you to take tickets for the Dickens Christmas Ball to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Isabel Hospice. Gather in the splendid marquees, decorated in Victorian splendour, conjuring up Dickens’ world of Oliver Twist, Mr Pickwick and A Christmas Carol.

• Good food & wine a plenty ~ scintillating entertainment throughout the night, dancing & Christmas cheer.

• Fundraising auctions and raffles to support the work of Isabel Hospice.

• Dress ~ Victorian/Dickens costume or black or white tie and evening dress.

• List of costume hire outlets available.• Tickets: £125 per person to include:

Champagne Reception ~ Three Course Dinner & table wines.

• Tables of 10 or 12 or join a mixed table.

Ticket applications available from: Suzanne Coleman 01438 717 406 Email rdsj_coleman@yahoo.co.ukYou can help to make this event a memorable evening by supporting us in various ways: For Sponsorship Packages, Advertising in our glossy Souvenir Programme, donations of Raffle or Silent Auction prizes please contact:

Barbara Doherty 01279 842140 Email barbara.doherty@tiscali.co.uk

Isabel Hospice, 61 Bridge Road East, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 1JR Registered Charity Number: 1046826.

Cut me out and send me back to Isabel Hospice!!!

Jazz Night at Haileybury College Friday 11th JanuaryA great night of jazz. £25 per person, includes a light buffet. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Sponsored Sunset Swim – Haileybury College Saturday 16th MarchSwim slots available between 5pm – 10pm. Bring along your friends and family and make a splash for Isabel Hospice.

Sunday Cycle Ride Sunday 12th MayBack by popular demand, this countryside ride with a 10/25 or 50 mile route starts and finishes from Woolmer Green Village Hall. Organised by our great supporter Carol Newland.

On Your Bike Sunday 19th MayA great bike ride of various distances around the Bishop’s Stortford countryside including a new 100km route! (earlybird discounted entry fee available until the 28th February).

Starlight Walk Saturday 29th JuneJoin us for this fun walk from Ware to Hertford with a new 10pm start time (earlybird discounted entry fee available until the 28th February). Kindly sponsored by Roche.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2013

Full Name...........................................................

Address ..................................................................................................................................................................................Postcode....................................

Contact Telephone No................................................................

Email.............................................................................................

Did you know that when you donate a bag of clothes or any item to be sold in one of our shops, that we can claim an extra 25% for the value we sell it for? Please GiftAid it. Ask how to in any of our shops, or pick up a leaflet.

There are lots of exciting events taking place next year. Tick the box for more information and return it to us.