New England Mutual (NEM) has provided an iPad 2 for a raffle to raise funds for Armidale Hospital in memory of Jarla Jordan, who died from brain cancer late last year.
During the last few weeks of her life when she was losing the ability to speak, the 10-year-old used an iPad donated by the Armidale Bowling Club as a way of interacting and communicating.
“The Jordan family is so grateful to the Hospital for the superb treatment Jarla received they wanted to give something back,” said NEM CEO Kevin Dupé.
“All parents would understand that position and we are delighted to donate the iPad to help raise the funds which will be used to help other children like Jarla in our community.”
Jarla, the youngest of five children, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March last year and died in December.
Ms Jordan says the care her daughter received in Armidale enabled her to die at home, which is what she wanted.
“We were overwhelmed by the sense of community at Armidale Hospital, the way the doctors and staff from right across the hospital pulled out all stops to do everything they could for Jarla,” she said.
“The staff in the Palliative Care and Paediatric Unit worked together with the social worker, the physio the occupational therapist, pathology staff and other specialists. They were wonderful and we are so grateful for the way they helped us through.
“Jarla’s doctors, Dr Liz Cotterell and Dr Vickie Howell, were also very supportive, especially during her final weeks.”
The Armidale Hospital Auxiliary will run the raffle over the next six weeks. Tickets will be on sale in the hospital foyer on Wednesdays and Fridays and all day at Centro Shopping Centre on April 2 and at NEM branches in Armidale and at the University. Friends of the Jordan family will also be selling tickets.
