Press Releases

2006 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care:A GREAT SUCCESS

Ottawa, May 11, 2006 -The fourth annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care took place on Sunday, May 7th, 2006. Exact participation numbers and the total amount raised are still unknown as follow-up questionnaires are still coming in; however, based on the information received to date - approximately 6000 people across the country participated raising over $675,000. This is a significant increase from last year where approximately 5000 people participated and raised an estimated $525,000.

Thanks to the generous support of founding sponsor, The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and our Home Care exclusive sponsor Bayshore Home Health, 100% of all proceeds remain with the host site.

84 sites took part this year which is slightly lower than last year because several sites grouped together to maximize results. Therefore, Hike sites have seen more hikers join them and more money raised in general.

Many sites featured exciting activities in addition to the Hike. For example, in Ottawa, Friends of Hospice had a Wellness Tent which featured alternative medicine professionals. Bayview Community Hospice in Toronto had The Dixieland Band, Aboriginal singers and Korean drummers and the presence of MPP George Smitherman.

Feedback from the sites suggest that this year’s Hike was the best yet. Thanks to our national sponsors, was able to finance a national ad campaign in 6 large newspapers. We at the CHPCA couldn’t agree more that this year’s Hike promotion was well done and helped sites get more exposure.

If you did not host a Hike for Hospice Palliative Care in 2006 and you are interested in receiving details regarding the 2007 hike, please contact Jean-Bruno Villeneuve at jbvillen@scohs.on.ca or by telephone at 1-800-668-2785 ext. 224.

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