The idea to grow sunflowers and start an agritourism business came to Scenic Rim farmers Jenny and Russell Jenner in 2021 in drought-stricken Queensland.
The now famous Calber Sunflower Festival was an instant success, but a year after it started, Russell was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer and given 12 months to live.
Although he lived longer than his original prognosis, Russell’s final weeks were spent in a hospital bed.
“He actually lasted 19 months,” Jenny said.
“He was admitted. [Mater Hospital in Brisbane] Four weeks before his death… [but] Being a farmer living in the country, I didn’t want him to die in the city.
“We managed to get him home but unfortunately, he became very ill … and we had to go to our local Bunah Hospital for treatment for the last eight days.”
Jenny said she wasn’t able to give Russell the goodbyes she envisioned at home on their farm.
“You know, stay in bed and give him a hug kind of thing.”
It was during her stay in palliative care that Jenny learned about “cuddle beds” – a large hospital bed that enables dying patients to lie down with loved ones and family members.
“Until you’ve been through that treatment experience, it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to see your nearest and dearest die,” she said.
“It’s just so important to be able to have that sense of connection and intimacy.”
After Russell’s diagnosis, the couple began donating proceeds from sunflowers sold at the fair to cancer care services.
When he died, Jenny decided to raise money to buy a bed for her local hospital.
In the past three years, it has provided a nine-bed facility in south-east Queensland, which was unveiled at Brisbane’s Queensland Children’s Hospital on Wednesday.
“Whether you’re 80 or eight, I think everybody deserves to die to be in bed with the person you love,” Jenny said.
Children’s Health Queensland director of pediatric palliative care, Associate Professor Anthony Herbert, said the custom bed, valued at $24,000, would allow children to share precious time with their parents, siblings and loved ones “when every moment together counts”.
“Within our palliative care service, we see how important these moments of connection are,” Herbert said.
“We care for babies in a holistic way, encompassing care for the whole family, and the Cuddlebed provides an extra level of comfort and intimacy when it matters most.”
Carrie Williams, who oversees the Children’s Hospital Foundation’s impact programs, has seen firsthand how important something like a snuggly bed can be to families in moments of loss and grief.
“I previously worked at the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and we funded some of the beds there to go into the maternity area when babies are born while sleeping. [still birth]Williams said.
“It just means that mom and dad can be with the little one and they can spend time.”
Each year, approximately 3,700 families visit Children’s Hospital with a child with either a curative or life-limiting condition.
Knowing that she is making a tangible difference in the lives of palliative care patients has inspired Jenny to continue her fundraising efforts.
“[Russell] They would take Sunflower to the hospital when they had chemo treatments,” Jenny said. “He always loved … seeing the smiles on other patients’ faces.
“Knowing that we can do something like this for so many families … that’s what gets me out of bed every morning,” she said.
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