Annabel joined the Karuna team in 2024. But she first learned of Karuna many years prior, when her dad was an early patient of the service.
In December 2024, I started a new role as the Human Resources and Compliance Officer at Karuna. It was a role many years in the making for me. I had always thought that Karuna was an organisation I wanted to work for—ever since my father was in Karuna care more than 30 years ago.
My Karuna journey started in the waiting room of a Brisbane hospital. I distinctly remember laughing with my sister. Using jokes as a distraction during our father’s surgery for a stomach ulcer. Trying to pass the time until his routine operation finished.
Instead, we were greeted by my father’s surgeon. He had come to tell us that what we thought was a stomach ulcer, was actually pancreatic cancer. And it had already spread to his liver. Our father was given just six months to live.
The emotions were immediate and overwhelming. I can still feel them as keenly today as I did when I first heard the news. My father was my rock. He guided me through life. Inspired me. And mentored me in developing my personal values and sense of self. Losing my father was the worst thing I could imagine.
Our family came together to navigate through the intensity of our shock and grief. But one of my father’s life mantras, inspired by Winston Churchill, was to “Never Give Up.” He was someone who loved and lived life so strongly, and he faced his death in the same way.
Over the next few months, he pursued multiple treatment options. He met specialists in Victoria and internationally. He read the latest research. He tried different homeopathic remedies.
But all too soon, we ended up back at the same Brisbane hospital where he had received his initial diagnosis. Our options were exhausted. And now, my father only had weeks to live.
We were shortly referred to Karuna, then a new and relatively unknown palliative care service. Pende Hawter and his team offered to support my father with what he wanted. To go home, where he could be surrounded by his family. And where he could finish his fight on his own terms.
My father was in Karuna care for five weeks. During this time, he and our entire family were supported by Pende and a team of incredible nurses. They were a calming presence, and showed us all unlimited kindness and compassion.
In the years following my father’s end-of-life care, I have been fortunate to work in spaces that fulfilled my passions and interests. Many of which my father helped me develop. And while the way my father lived his life has continued to inspire me, I have also carried with me the way that he died. It was an experience filled with encouragement, validation, strength, and trust.
It is an immense privilege to work with Karuna now, alongside people who are continuing this beautiful legacy of care.
I know that every death, and every journey with Karuna, is unique. And I think everyone who has had the benefit of this experience can add something to Karuna care.
Through personal stories and values. With great courage, kindness, compassion, and gratitude. Every piece builds the Karuna community. It allows us to continue providing person-centred care, to people affected by life-limiting illness.
Karuna’s legacy is made possible thanks to people like Annabel, and people like you: our community.
Click here to donate and help our legacy continue to grow.