A lack of funding has the Campbell River Hospice Society facing cuts to core services.
Hospice is a registered non-profit society with over 25 years of service to Campbell River and the surrounding area.
Their mandate is to provide, free of charge, end of life companionship and support for those individuals, their family and friends facing illness or death and the grief that follows.
“It is a sad reality that sometimes illness has no cure, and with this reality comes the inevitable fact that someone is going to die,” said executive director Chris Dorrington. “Death can be scary, and when people are desperate and afraid, nobody wants to talk about it. The patient is scared, their families are in shock, and when it’s all over, the grieving begins….That’s where Hospice fits in.”
Over the past five years, the demand for hospice services continued to grow with an overall increase of more than 30 per cent in client requests. Currently only three per cent of their core funding is being provided by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) which leaves Hospice dependent on receiving 97 per cent financial support from their community.
This past year found 1,226 people seeking out Hospice services. This amounted to volunteers and staff providing over 7,000 hours to ensure that everyone who has requested help receives the support and assistance necessary to get them through their time of need.
“Hospice is now facing cutbacks to their services and needs your support,” Dorrington said. “Try to imagine Campbell River without Hospice services. What would it be like to lose someone you love, and have nowhere to turn to for support?
“Can you imagine being told by your doctor that your illness can’t be cured, and you have nobody to help you deal with the shock?
“Can you imagine being alone at home or in the hospital, dying? Hospice can’t imagine that at all.”
To help the Society, just go to their website at www.crhospice.org, where you will find a “Donate Now” button, or you may call the Campbell River Hospice Society at 250-286-1121, or drop by their office at #104, 301 Dogwood Street – Mondays to Fridays between 9-3 p.m.
Official tax receipts will be issued for any donation over $10. Every dollar helps, and every dollar is appreciated more than you can imagine.