Vitas House Hospice was founded in 2008 with the aim of allowing its patients to die peacefully and with dignity, at no cost to their families.
It offers palliative care to terminally-ill cancer patients, but it is in stark contrast to what people usually expect of a medical facility, especially one dedicated to end-of-life services.
Although it is sterile, in keeping with medical standards, the atmosphere is not one of doom and gloom for patients and visiting relatives. Its cheerful interior and friendly, compassionate staff give it a feeling of home.
Donor Gabriella Azar told Newsday, “Vitas House is outfitted for a maximum of 12 patients.”
But at present, it houses only a third of its capacity, and Azar believes it is because many people still think they will have to pay for the services offered.
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It is run strictly on donations, but, “Everything is provided free of charge. And if the family wants to make a donation, that is welcome,” she said.
“Vitas House is open to everyone. I want people to know they are welcome if they’re in need.”
Azar is the daughter of Vitas House founder Dr George Laquis, former chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society (TTCS).
The facility is a subsidiary of the TTCS and is in the grounds of the St James Medical Complex.
“My siblings and I got involved when Dad started, and we stayed pretty involved.”
Azar said she has made a large financial commitment every year, and in 2020, when her own son was diagnosed with cancer, her dedication to her father’s project took on a different form.
“I told the chairman, Lisa Hadad, that I would help where I can, but I wouldn’t hold any positions.”
Instead, she and her siblings committed to refurbishing any part of the hospice needs it, so that whatever other contributions comes in can be used for the day-to-day operations.
“It was a large undertaking and it took a few years, but we continue to do it. I prefer that donations be used to run the facility,” which can cost an estimated $140,000 a month. Vitas House has 12 employees – a manager, doctors, nurses, a custodian, chef and administrative staff.
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“Any donations we get, large or small, go toward running the place – paying staff, medication, food.”
It’s most recent donation came from a familiar face at the TTCS – businesswoman Hannah Janoura, who has been volunteering with the TTCS since she was in her 20s. She, in collaboration with king of soca Machel Montano, raised $100,000 for Vitas House, as well as funds for her annual wheelchair distribution drive, which she said will take place in April or May.
Janoura and Montano presented TTCS chairman Robert Dumas with a cheque on February 11.
The fundraiser was held at Mille Fleurs in Port of Spain, headlined by Montano, who performed for free, as a way of giving back for the “love that was poured” out to him by Janoura.
He said, “People in these situations need our help, and it is sometimes nothing to give of our talent and time. But money is important for places like these to function if you want to expand.
“I’m always here for ideas like this and I feel honoured to work with Ms Janoura.”
The decor for the event was by masman Brian MacFarlane.
“I also organised some of the entertainment; the pan around the neck for the pan side, making sure everything was just perfect for the event. It was really a lot of high energy and was perfect. It’s always a joy working with Hannah,” MacFarlane said.
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Janoura said Vitas House offer a necessary service and she wants to see it expand.
“At one time this home couldn’t fit patients, so we want to build it back up, and for people to know that it is for people who cannot afford nursing homes and care.
“We don’t charge anybody. If they want to leave a donation, it’s fine, because this place is run on donations. But the services are free.”
The admission guidelines to get a loved one into the hospice, Azar said, are quite simple.
“Once a doctor reaches out to Vitas House saying a patient is in need of hospice, there is a simple form that needs to be filled out and our medical director would sign off on it.”
And because terminally-ill people need more than medical care, the hospice team is encouraging people to volunteer for non-medical services.
“We used to have candy stripers (volunteers) who would come and read to patients, hold their hands, pray with them or chat. But covid made that take a back seat. We are looking to revive that.”
Also, she said, the hospice wants to partner with organisations such as the online marketplace food drop to get donations.
For more info or to volunteer: visit cancertt.com or call Vitas House at (868) 628-4673.
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Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
