Shirley’s family helps the dialysis unit at Auckland City Hospital

Shirley Wong was a much-loved patient at Auckland City Hospital’s Haemodialysis Unit, where she received dialysis treatment three days a week for more than five years.

Photo (L-R): Haemodialysis Charge Nurse Josaphat Flores; Shirley’s children Lisa, Raymond and Eileen (Susie unable to attend); and Renal Service Clinical Director Dr David Semple

Sadly, Shirley passed away in 2019, but her children Susie, Lisa, Ray and Eileen have since chosen to help others who rely on the team at Auckland City Hospital every day, like their mum did.

When Shirley died, her children asked that family and friends donate money to the dialysis unit, rather than give flowers. They wanted to give back to the hospital service that had taken such good care of their mum in recent years, so all donations ‘in lieu of flowers’ went directly to the dialysis unit, which was such a big part of Shirley’s life.

Thanks to the generosity of Shirley’s friends and family, more than $4,000 was raised, which enabled the purchase of new equipment for the dialysis unit. Shirley’s children were able to visit the dialysis unit to see first-hand the difference made by the donations.

Shirley’s daughter Eileen Gock said, “We know Mum would be so pleased that the dialysis unit has new equipment, thanks to her family and friends. It is very special to talk to the nurses who cared for Mum and hear how grateful they are, which is much more meaningful to us than receiving flowers.”

In 2022, Eileen donated again to the dialysis unit. Eileen wants to continue honouring their mum’s memory by contributing to the team that helped keep her alive for many years, while also helping other patients receive the