Bayshore Home Health joins Hike for Hospice Palliative Care fundraiser for eighth consecutive year

Invites Canadians to enter online Hospice Donation Draw that will award winning local hospice $2,000

Bayshore Home Health is embarking on its eighth consecutive year to raise money for local palliative care hospices across the country. Over the last seven years the home health care provider has raised over one million dollars for hospice palliative care through the annual Hike for Hospice fundraising events in communities across Canada. The company is also donating an additional $2,000 with its Hospice Donation Draw where people go online to vote for their local hospice.

Staff at more than 40 Bayshore Home Health offices across the country will join thousands of Canadians on May 5 for the annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care. The events take place in more than 100 communities. The fundraiser, organized by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, marks the start of National Hospice Palliative Care Week, which runs until May 11.

Hikers aim to raise funds and awareness for hospice palliative care at the community level, as well as recognizing the vital contribution of volunteers and professionals in the field. Last year's Hike for Hospice Palliative Care attracted the largest ever number of participants, who raised over 1.7 million dollars.

"Bayshore nurses and caregivers are on the front lines of palliative care so they know just how important access to hospices are for patients and their families," says Holly Quinn , Bayshore Home Health's chief nursing officer. "The Hike is the perfect way for us to get out in communities across Canada to celebrate all the great work hospices provide while raising money for them at the same time."

Hospice palliative care programs allow patients to gain more control over their lives, manage pain and symptoms more effectively and provide support to family and informal caregivers. Despite the many benefits, more than 70 per cent of people dying in Canada do not have access to hospice palliative care, which is funded disproportionately by private donors. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is working toward ensuring that more Canadians receive the end-of-life care they deserve.

Bayshore has been a national sponsor Hike for Hospice since 2006. Last year, Bayshore Home Health raised more than $152,000 for the Hike. Staff participation is not limited to the actual event. Most branches conduct various fundraising efforts throughout the year, including golf tournaments, guest speaker conferences, book and bake sales, dances and fashion shows. This year, Bayshore Home Health hopes to raise $200,000 in its ongoing contribution to the cause.

The click of a mouse and a little luck is worth $2,000 for a local hospice

Canadians can enter Bayshore's Hospice Donation Draw beginning May 6 by going to www.bayshore.ca, clicking on the Hospice Donation Draw graphic and typing the password: HOSPICE DRAW.  The entry form must be completed by June 6. The winner, who receives $2,000 to donate to a local hospice of his or her choice, will be announced on Bayshore's website during the week of June 17.

Last year, Sarnia resident Kathy Moulton was chosen out more than 1,450 entrants to win last year's Hospice Donation Draw. Ms. Moulton donated her winnings to St. Joseph's Hospice to help in the delivery of end of life and bereavement services in the Sarnia Lambton area.

"Palliative care is something that almost every one of us will need," adds Bayshore Home Health's Quinn. "We are encouraging everyone - including doctors, hospital staff, social workers, discharge planners, other health care professionals and the public - to go online and enter the contest so that the winning hospice can move closer to its fundraising goals."

SOURCE Bayshore Home Health