ST LUKE’S COMBINED HOSPICES WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1980, WHEN DAME CICELY SAUNDERS, FOUNDER OF THE MODERN-DAY HOSPICE, VISITED CAPE TOWN AFTER REPEATED REQUESTS FROM CHRISTINE DARE, THEN A 5TH YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT WHO HAD WORKED WITH DAME CICELY AT ST THOMAS’ HOSPITAL IN ENGLAND. THE RESULT OF THIS VISIT WAS A GATHERING OF CONCERNED PERSONS WHO FORMED AN ORGANISATION (ST LUKE’S) TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS FACING LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES. SINCE THOSE EARLY DAYS, ST LUKE’S COMBINED HOSPICES HAVE GONE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, THANKS TO THE WONDERFUL SUPPORT OF THE INDIVIDUALS, COMPANIES AND TRUSTS WHOSE DONATIONS KEEP OUR SERVICES GOING. OUR HEAD OFFICE IS IN HARFIELD ROAD, KENILWORTH, BUT SATELLITE COMMUNITY HOSPICES FUNCTION IN CERTAIN OTHER AREAS OF GREATER CAPE TOWN. HOMECARE PATIENTS NUMBER AROUND 850 AT ANY GIVEN TIME, AND OUR WARD CAN ACCOMMODATE A MAXIMUM OF 20 PATIENTS. ST LUKE’S COMBINED HOSPICES IS A REGISTERED NPC/NPO/PBO ORGANISATION IN TERMS OF THE COMPANIES ACT, ALLOWING US TO RAISE MONEY FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR BY MEANS OF DONATIONS OR FUNDRAISING EVENTS.