Valley Hike for Hospice raises $20,000 during National Hospice Palliative Care Week

Valley Hike for Hospice raises $20,000 during National Hospice Palliative Care Week
By Dale Sanford
valleyhospice.ca

On May 6, 2018 the Annapolis Valley proudly joined other communities across Canada for the sixth annual Hike for Hospice, raising over $20,000 for the Valley Hospice Foundation and a new volunteer program to serve the Valley.

Hike for Hospice marked the start of National Hospice Palliative Care Week in Canada. The theme for 2018, “Towards a more compassionate Canada, Eh!” draws from the concept of the international Compassionate Communities movement and encourages us to consider ways community involvement can support the dying and bereavement process.

The funds raised at the Hike will go toward the Valley’s Hospice Palliative Care Volunteer Program. “The Hike for Hospice in the Valley brings with it a celebration of our new residential hospice” says Diana Patterson, Valley Hospice Foundation chair. “Our hospice is only possible because of the actively-involved individuals who are engaged in this community.” The hospice will be well equipped with the comforts of home. There will be ten private bedrooms that open up to a wooded site located near Valley Regional Hospital.

Volunteers are vital members of the hospice palliative care team. It is with special training and on-going education that they are able to spend their time supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

“The dedication and support shown by volunteers is one reason palliative care is so widely regarded as compassionate care” says Patterson.

The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is calling on Canadians to think about what makes a compassionate community and how communities can support end of life care. To help with this please visit: chpca.net/week and tell your stories on social media: hashtag #MyCompassionateCanada.