Cynthia Ward MA (Applied) R.Cp.N. B.Nsg
CEO and Nurse Specialist
Cynthia is the founder and CEO of True Colours and a Nurse Specialist. After nursing for many years she completed her Masters in Nursing in 2006 MA (Applied).
Her postgraduate education and research has centred on the care of the seriously ill child. The outcome of this research was a thesis titled 'Children Matter: What is important to the Child who lives with a Life-threatening Illness'.
Cynthia's VisionAll children with serious illness gain the support they require.
Cynthia's nursing background has mostly been in Hospice care specialising in the care of children since 2000.
Rainbow Place: Hospice Waikato was developed as a direct result of the postgraduate work she was doing at the time in recognising that children are not little adults and their needs are quite different to that of adult care.
In 2004 Cynthia left Hospice Waikato to develop True Colours Charitable Trust recognising the 'gaps' within services at the time for children who live with serious illnesses that did not necessarily fit within Rainbow Place's criteria. All serious illness impacts on not only the child but the family so True Colours is a family focused service.
Cynthia's vision is for all children who live with serious illness and their families to gain the support they require not only in nursing care but the psychological support that is essential regarding the impact of the illness on the individual and relationships within the family unit.
Photography donated by Sheldon Photography www.sheldonphotography.co.nz
