Caring comes in many forms
For some, it’s a long and enduring journey — months or years of navigating appointments, treatments, and uncertainty. For others, it begins suddenly, in a moment that changes everything.
When Chris’s daughter found herself caring for her father in his final weeks, she faced one of the most difficult challenges any carer can experience: finding peace and dignity at the end of life.
In April 2025, 73-year-old Chris was diagnosed with glioblastoma in Hobart, Tasmania. His condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting his family to travel from across Australia to be by his side in palliative care.
Amid the heartbreak and uncertainty, Chris’s daughter reached out to the National Advocacy Service for urgent support. Advocate Fiona responded immediately.
By the time they spoke, Bruce was already in the end-of-life phase. During a heartfelt conversation, Fiona helped Chris’s daughter understand the palliative care process and eased her fears about navigating a fragmented transition to aged care. Bruce’s daughter expressed her concern about being unable to remain in Hobart indefinitely and wondered if it might be possible to bring her father home to Jurien Bay, Western Australia.
Together, they explored what would be required to make that happen. With compassionate guidance, Fiona gave her the clarity and courage to advocate for her father’s transfer. She worked with hospital staff to secure flight clearances and coordinate care across states — something that had never been done before in the ward.
Within days, Chris was home.
Surrounded by his loved ones, he spent his final two weeks in peace. In his last days, he believed he had returned to Malta — a place he loved and visited often.
He passed away in his “happy place.”
A Daughter’s Words
“If it wasn’t for you, my dad would never have been able to come home and experience the passing he did – thank you so much.
Your work is pivotal to families like ours, as it was not provided anywhere else within the hospital service.”
She later shared:
“The Peacock Ward in Hobart had never prepared a care plan for airlines, but your call helped educate them. Your guidance on transitioning from palliative to aged care empowered me to bring my dad home, where I was able to care for him for two weeks until his passing. Thank you again. Please share my dad’s story.”
Advocacy Beyond Metrics
Not every outcome of the National Advocacy Service can be easily measured — and yet, their true impact is profound.
Sometimes, it’s a single phone call that transforms fear and confusion into calm and connection. In this case, it meant a family’s final days together were filled with dignity, meaning, and love.
About the National Advocacy Service
The National Advocacy Service (NAS) is a proud partnership between Cure Brain Cancer Foundation and Peace of Mind Foundation.
Since inception in 2021, the National Advocacy Service has supported over 2210 families and helped release over $134 million in funding for people with brain cancer. From navigating health systems to connecting with care services, the team is there to ensure no one faces brain cancer alone.
