a Red Cross wheelchair for three weeks in January/February, when she had the support of carers three times a day. Once she came home from hospital, someone had to be with Joanne most of the time. Julia explained: “We stayed nights as well. Family and really close friends, we did a rota so that someone could be with her during the day and night.” After just three weeks, Joanne’s leg broke due to the cancer eroding the bone. In her final week, Joanne’s parents could no longer get her into the wheelchair. Joanne died in th February 2015, just after her 48 birthday. The social value and emotional significance of the wheelchair loan, for Joanne, her family, and friends, far outweigh the significance of the economic resource savings in this case. Joanne, Kent* Joanne worked as a care and she deteriorated quickly. By professional, managing a house at a Christmas 2014, Joanne could only care facility. In June 2013, she was walk with the aid of a stick, and soon diagnosed with breast cancer. She after that, she had to use crutches. underwent intensive chemotherapy Going into the new year, she could and radiotherapy, which was a long no longer manage to walk. Julia says and draining ordeal. In October it had got to the stage where Joanne 2014, Joanne was given the all clear. had trouble with her mobility and Joanne’s parents, Julia and John, could not go out and do the things explained that “you don’t realise how she wanted to do. horrible these tests and treatments The local hospital did not provide are, until it happens to you.” short-term wheelchairs for this type Sadly, two weeks after the all clear, a of end-of-life situation, but told lump was detected in Joanne’s neck. Joanne and her parents about the Further tests revealed the presence Red Cross short-term wheelchair of an aggressive bone cancer, loan service. Joanne was able to use * Interview conducted with her parents, John and Julia 26