Community Lights the Way for Hospice Prince Edward

Hospice President Birgit Langwisch and Community Campaign Honourary Chairs Lyle and Sharon Vanclief, watch as Wayne Carruthers marks the half way to goal on the fundraising thermometer.

Thanks to extraordinary community support, Hospice Prince Edward has launched a fundraising campaign and is already more than half way to goal.

The “Lighting The Way” quest to raise $875,000 to complete renovations and develop residential hospice programming at the new 40 Downes Ave., Picton location, started Monday under the direction of Mark Davis, as campaign chairman, and Lyle and Sharon Vanclief, as honourary chairs.

Sharon and Lyle Vanclief, honourary chairs for the community campaign.

“We are honoured and pleased to be part of achieving this goal,” said Lyle Vanclief. “We are lending our full support to the community fundraising campaign because if we cannot die in our own home, being in a place that feels like home in our last days is what we personally wish for ourselves and for our loved ones,” he said, with Sharon. “We’re confident that the residents of the County, as they always do, will continue to light the way and make this dream come true.”

Hospice Prince Edward offers compassionate, end-of-life support to clients of all ages and their caregivers, free of charge, in their own homes, hospital and long-term care facilities.  The three-bed residential hospice will provide end-of-life care for clients (and their families) who can no longer, or do not wish to die at home, and do not need acute care available in hospital.

COPE, an organization that focused on bereavement support, was formed in 1989 by Prince Edward Community Care for Seniors and Mark Davis, in collaboration with interested community members. In 1996, Dr. Graham Burke formed the Prince Edward Palliative Care Association and in September 2000 the two organizations combined to become Hospice Prince Edward.

Mark Davis, campaign chair.

“In my former life as a funeral director, I was entrusted with the stories of goodbyes – some breathtaking, some inspiring, some so sad I could barely keep my own composure, and so many where there were no goodbyes to be found at all,” said Davis. “The road to goodbye is such a painful path and one that all of us will travel. Is there a good time to die? Perhaps. Is there a good place to die? I believe the answer is yes.”

Davis says the movement to die at home has been embraced by much of the population, but it is not always an easy route as homes are generally not designed for this reality and modifications to keep the dying at home can be intrusive and chaotic.

“It can put incredible stress on those who now are delivering care, often at a time when they are barely equipped to deal with that reality at all. Constant appointments with health care professionals, and streams of visitors, mean that the care provider has little privacy or time to rest and take care of themselves. We have finally arrived at a place, and a solution, that allows the best of all worlds. A residential hospice will allow us all to conclude our days with kindness, serenity, compassion and dignity.”

The funds raised to date, and the funds yet required, will be used to cover the cost of the home itself and renovations planned to provide sufficient parking, landscaping and furnishings for comfort for patients, staff, volunteers and family members.

“The budget contains a plan for two-year ongoing sustainability and a component for unforeseen and expanded services to the community. The total cost will be $875,000,” said Davis, noting that local community support and enthusiasm for the initiative has been extraordinary.

Along with individual donors, many community organizations have committed financial support, in particular, The Rotary Club of Picton, which contributed an entrusted legacy from the late Harry Young of $100,000. The milestone gift pushed the campaign past $450,000 – more than half way home.

“It is our hope that as we launch this Community Campaign, many other generous individuals and community groups will join us, as they are able, in achieving our goal of expanding palliative end-of-life care services in Prince Edward County,” said Nancy Parks, HPE executive director. “Loyalist Contractors has been chosen as contractor and renovations are about to begin. Our target date for the opening of the new Community Residential Hospice Home is in June, 2013.”

Hospice President Birgit Langwisch, Campaign Chair Mark Davis and Executive Director Nancy Parks flank Rotary Club of Picton president Kirsten Musgrove and vice-president Rick Jones who presented $100,000 from an entrusted legacy from the late Harry Young. The milestone gift pushed the campaign past $450,000 – more than half way to the campaign’s goal of $875,000.

How can you help?
* Making a single donation to the residential project
* A pledged gift
* A gift of publicly-listed securities
* Become a monthly donor
* Endowments – The gift that keeps on giving
* Gifts of Life Insurance
* Memorial Gifts
* Special Occasion Gifts

Call Hospice Prince Edward at for more information about naming and sponsorship opportunities for the Lighting the Way Campaign.
Hospice Prince Edward
Box 6132
Picton, ON K0K 2T0
Telephone: 613 476 2181 x4253

www.hospiceprinceedward.ca
pecmhospice@qhc.on.ca