Press Releases

More than 35 Bayshore Home Health offices across Canada to take part in Hike for Hospice Palliative Care

Mississauga, April 17, 2007 – Staff from more than 35 Bayshore Home Health office across the country will join thousands of Canadians on May 6 in the fifth annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care.

“The Hike enables us to get out in the community, support a cause that’s close to our hearts and raise much-need dollars for local hospices,” says Mike Krunic, Director of Marketing for Bayshore Home Health. “Our livelihood comes from the communities we serve, and this event allows us to show our appreciation by giving something back to them.”

The Hike takes place at 90 sites and is organized by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. It marks the start of National Hospice Palliative Care Week (May 7-13). Last year’s Hike raised more than $675,000 for local hospice palliative care.

This is the second year that Bayshore Home Health is the exclusive home care sponsor of the Hike and also a sponsor of National Hospice Palliative Care Week. “The Hike and our partnership with the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association are a great fit for us,” says Holly Quinn, Bayshore Home Health’s Director of Clinical Programs. “Delivering palliative care is a major part of what we do. As a result, our staff
are very excited to participate in the Hike and appreciate the fact that funds raised stay in their local communities.”

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. Last year, for instance, the company’s Hamilton, Ont. branch held its second annual golf tournament in support of the Bob Kemp Hospice, while the Saint John, NB office organized a palliative care conference for health care professionals. Bayshore Home Health employees raised more than $70,000 through last year’s Hike and related activities.

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.

According to Statistics Canada, more than 259,000 Canadians die each year, and that number is projected to increase by 33% by 2020. Currently, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association estimates that only 25% of those who need it will have access to hospice palliative care. The association is working toward ensuring that more Canadians, especially in our own community, receive the end-of-life care they wish for.

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 40 locations and 6,000 employees in eight provinces. Its specialties are in-home nursing, personal care and home support – offered directly to consumers and also delivered through government care programs, personal and group insurance plans, and workplace safety insurance. Its caregivers provide about 5 million hours of home care annually to 40,000 clients. The company’s other services include nurse and caregiver staffing, pharmaceutical support services, health education programs, infusion clinics and dialysis centres. Bayshore Home Health is a winner of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program for 2006.

– 30–

www.bayshore.ca