When cancer patient Ingrid was admitted to HammondCare's Braeside Hospital for palliative care support, her wish to attend daughter Mikaela's wedding was made possible through funding from HammondCare Foundation's The Dreams Project.

Ingrid’s husband James: Mikaela had planned a date in early 2023 for her wedding and reception, but with Ingrid’s prognosis and being desperate to include her mother, Mikaela chose to bring her wedding celebration forward. We inquired whether a small ceremony could be held at the hospital, but COVID-19 restrictions were making this option too difficult.

Instead, we were told the palliative care team could help support Ingrid to attend the wedding at our home. HammondCare Foundation’s The Dream Project came on board to fund the additional care that would be needed.

On the day, the palliative care team helped Ingrid to prepare and support from The Dreams Project helped make paramedics available. They were able to take her home for the wedding by midday, supporting her to stay throughout the celebrations, before returning her to the hospital.

It was such a beautiful day, Ingrid was in her element, smiling all day, as any mother of the bride would hope to be.

Social worker Nicole: Providing care to patients is not just about treating the physical symptoms, it involves supporting the patient and family in the journey of palliative care, which comes with its challenges and difficult times, but also incredible admiration for the people around you.