Lee Borren, whose father died at the Otago Community Hospice, is angry the organisation is experiencing financial difficulty.
She believes more beds are needed, not less.
"We almost need another hospice . . . More beds and more wonderful nurses."
While she did not have the answers to the hospice's problems, her positive experiences with it remain foremost in her memory and was the reason she chose to give to it.
She first became involved with the hospice when her father Bert Matthews' doctor detected recurrent cancer in his bones after 10 years in remission.
The family dealt with his oncologist for treatment until the drugs no longer had an effect.
He was then referred to the hospice.
While he initially did not want anything to do with the organisation, Mrs Borren was more than impressed with the woman who made the first appointment to see him.
"She was this amazing, sensitive, lovely lady," she said.
An appointment with the hospice doctor, a walker and carer were all organised for him.
"When the cancer made life difficult, they [the hospice] suggested he come and stay for a while."
With three children at home, Mrs Borren could not accommodate her sick father, so the hospice stepped in when it was needed, she said.
"He was in no man's land and they filled the gap."
During the time Mr Matthews had his drugs and pain monitored, the family formed a bond with hospice staff.
"We feel like they are part of our family . . . Everyone knew us by name."
She was also impressed with the service the staff offered.
"The rooms are just beautiful and they have everything [patients] want there . . . Nothing was ever too much."
In April, Mr Matthews' health was improving so he was discharged and returned to his home.
Mrs Borren and her husband took turns staying the night with him to ensure his safety, but this took its toll on the family and he was moved to a rest-home.
After a few weeks, a tumour on his spine made functioning difficult and his pain increased.
He was subsequently moved to Dunedin Hospital.
"As much as the nurses there are doing their best, it is poles apart from the hospice," Mrs Borren said of the hospital.
With different staff working different shifts, she found having her father there difficult to deal with.
While the staff did a great job, they were not used to handling someone dying from cancer, she said.
She felt the family was included and the accommodation was much better at the hospice than the hospital.
"It makes me angry to think people might have to end their days in a public hospital."
Mr Matthews returned to the hospice in June and died within seven days, aged 84.
"It was just so lovely because they handle things differently down there because they realise [these people] are dying.
"They make life simple and don't fuss . . . It was a lovely way for him to spend his last days."
