In a daughter’s final moments, she uttered a wish to her mother to create a haven for others suffering from similar life-limiting illnesses. A promise birthed from love and loss, Tersia Burger founded the Alberton Stepping Stone Hospice, which offers solace, comfort, and dignity to countless patients and their families.
Alberton, South Africa (29 October 2024) – Born from a mother’s promise to her daughter’s dying wish, Alberton’s Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services has been a welcoming haven of comfort and support to thousands of ill patients since it first opened its doors in 2013.
Tersia Burger’s late daughter Vicky passed away at the age of 38 after years of suffering from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a cruel disease that had robbed her of a full life.
In her last months of life, Vicky experienced extreme pain and discomfort. Through the tireless efforts of her mother, she finally managed to obtain services of palliative care.
It was then that Vicky experienced immediate relief from her distressing symptoms and was able to live out her final days with dignity and spend precious time with her two sons.
Weeks before her passing, Vicky begged her mom to start a hospice so that other people suffering from life-limiting illnesses could experience the kindness and dedication of a hospice care service.
A legacy of care
Since then, Tersia never looked back. Today, the CEO of Alberton’s Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services, Tersia, took on a wonderful and compassionate endeavour aimed at addressing health justice by fostering dignity and quality of life among patients with life-limiting illnesses in the greater Alberton and surrounding areas.
The hospice has assisted more than 3,000 patients and their families with dignity.
Their dedicated team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, therapists, spiritual counsellors, volunteers and social workers, provide compassionate care that extends beyond physical needs.
They address emotional and spiritual well-being, offering comfort and support to patients and their loved ones.
Tersia is a member of various palliative care organisations, the Chairperson of the Gauteng Hospice & Palliative Care Association and the Vice Chairperson of the national body of the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC).
She has positively impacted scores of people’s lives while on her quest to put her vision into action for the good of hospice and palliative care, the patients and residents they serve, and their families.
Under her leadership, Alberton’s Stepping Stone Hospice has extended its services to include a Children’s In-Patient Unit.
The nonprofit organisation also attained Association of Palliative Care Facilities (APCC) five-star accreditation and is currently the only five-star APCC accredited Hospice in Gauteng.
Tersia reiterated that she and her team are committed to providing care and support, palliative care, to people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness through their home-based care and in-patient unit service.
“We offer an in-patient unit with eight rooms and home-based care services caring for 150+ community patients every month in Alberton and greater surrounding areas.”
“Since our inception in 2013, we’ve relied largely on donations from members of the community and local businesses. However, this has never deterred us from changing our patients and families’ lives, especially those from marginalised communities.”
For more information or to support this organisation, call 010 442 5059 or email info@steppingstonehospice.co.za
Sources: Alberton’s Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services
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