Canadians Young and Old Gathered for the 8th Annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care

May 10, 2010 - PRLog -- (May 10, 2010.  Ottawa, ON) – Despite the rain forecasted for Sunday May 2, the clouds parted and the sun began to shine brightly as Hikers took to pathways and trails across Canada for the Hike for Hospice Palliative Care.  Well over $1 million dollars was raised among the 99 Hike sites throughout Canada. Thanks to the generous support of founding sponsor The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and compassion level sponsor Bayshore Home Health, all proceeds remain in the local Hike site community.

Although organized as a national event, each Hike is hosted locally.  Local Hike sites organized a wide range of other activities ensuring the Hike for Hospice Palliative Care was a fun and meaningful experience.  Many Hike sites enjoyed barbeques, silent auctions, face painting, complementary therapies, and live music, such as performances by the Trillium Dixieland Bank in Ottawa, ON and the Walking Wolf Singers and Dancers in Winnipeg, MB.  In Brantford, ON, Walter Gretzky’s Olympic torch was on hand for photo opportunities with the Hikers.  

Support for the 2010 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care was strong at all sites, with participation by Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Parliament/Legislative Assemblies, mayors and celebrities such as running back Rob Cote of the Calgary Stampeders along with fellow team members and cheerleaders.  Other highlights include an eight year old’s request for hike donations instead of birthday gifts and a six year old who raised close to $1,000.

For many, the Hike is a way to remember and honor friends and family members.  Ottawa’s Hospice at May Court began their Hike with a procession of motorcyclist’s riding in memory of one their wives.  In BC, a strong supporter of the Crossroads Hospice gathered with her children, grandchildren and friends to participate in honor of her husband.  

The next Hike for Hospice is planned for May 8, 2011. Organizations interested in hosting may contact the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association by phone at 1-800-668-2785 or by e-mail at info@chpca.net.

Hike for Hospice Palliative Care is coordinated by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, the national association which provides leadership in hospice palliative and end-of-life care. Funding for the Hike is provided by its founding sponsor, The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and compassion level sponsor Bayshore Home Health.

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More information:
Jennifer Kavanagh           
Communications Officer        
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association                                                                     
1-800-668-2785 ext. 229

Linda Truglia
Project Coordinator   
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
1-800-668-2785 ext. 228

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About the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is the national voice for hospice palliative care in Canada. It is a bilingual, national charitable non-profit association whose mission is the pursuit of excellence in care for persons approaching death so that the burdens of suffering, loneliness and grief are lessened.

CHPCA strives to achieve its mission through:
• collaboration and representation;
• increased awareness, knowledge and skills related to hospice palliative care of the public,
health care providers and volunteers;
• development of national norms of practice for hospice palliative care in Canada;
• support of research on hospice palliative care;
• advocacy for improved hospice palliative care policy, resource allocation and supports for
caregivers.