Press Releases

Bayshore Home Health helps raise money for community hospice care

Mississauga, Ont., April 9, 2010 – Staff from more than 50 Bayshore Home Health offices across the country will join thousands of Canadians on May 2 in the eighth annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care.

The Hike takes place at more than 100 sites and is organized by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. It marks the start of National Hospice Palliative Care Week (May 2-8). The main goals of the Hike are to raise funds for hospice palliative care at the community level, raise awareness of the many issues related to hospice palliative care and recognize the phenomenal work done by volunteers and professionals in the field. Last year’s Hike raised more than $1.2-million for local hospice palliative care.

“Bayshore Home Health’s nurses and caregivers provide palliative care every day so it’s a cause we are very passionate about,” says Holly Quinn, Bayshore Home Health’s chief nursing officer. “Many of our staff have witnessed the benefits of hospice care at either a professional or personal level. They’re incredibly committed to the Hike and many bring their family and friends along to help with the fund-raising.”

According to Statistics Canada, more than 259,000 Canadians die each year, and that number is projected to increase to 330,000 by 2026. Currently, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association estimates that only 16% of Canadians who die have access to quality end-of-life care services. The association is working toward ensuring that more Canadians receive the end-of-life care they desire.

"The Hike allows us to give back to the communities we serve and raise much-needed dollars for local hospices,” adds Mike Krunic, director of marketing at Bayshore Home Health. “We all appreciate that the funds raised stay in the local area.”

This is the fifth year that Bayshore Home Health has been a major corporate sponsor of the Hike and had its national network of branches participate in the event. While most Bayshore Home Health branches participate in the Hike by teaming up with a local hospice, others conduct various fundraising efforts throughout the year, such as golf tournaments, guest speaker conferences, book and bake sales, dances and fashion shows.

Altogether, Bayshore Home Health’s employees raised more than $135,000 through last year’s Hike and related activities.

About Bayshore Home Health

Bayshore Home Health has been enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of Canadians in their homes since 1966. Canadian owned and operated, it is the country's largest provider of home and community health care services, with more than 50 home care offices, 20 community care clinics and 8,000 employees. Its core services are in-home nursing, personal care and home support – which can be purchased directly by individuals and also accessed through government care programs, personal and group insurance plans and workplace safety insurance. The company also provides nurse/caregiver staffing services, health education programs and treatments in its community dialysis centres. Through its subsidiary, Bayshore Specialty Rx, it offers infusion pharmacy, infusion clinic and pharmaceutical support services to a variety of health care and pharmaceutical organizations.

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