Press Releases

St. Thomas Hospice receives $5,000 from Bayshore Home Health's on-line draw

Mississauga, ON, May 31, 2011 – Bayshore Home Health, Canada's largest provider of home and community health services, announced today that St. Thomas resident Jeannie Vine is the winner of this year's Hospice Donation Draw. Ms. Vine won a $5,000 hospice donation that she will give to Serenity House Hospice to help in the building of a 10-bed residential hospice for Elgin County.

"This donation from Bayshore really gives the fund-raising efforts of Serenity House a nice boost," says Ms. Vine, a newcomer to the St. Thomas area who also sits on the board of Serenity House Hospice. "We're currently raising $2.5 million to build a wonderful new facility to support families who are living with a life-threatening illness and appreciate Bayshore's assistance in achieving our goal."

Serenity House Hospice specializes in providing quality end of life support services, not just for people experiencing these challenges, but for their families as well. The organization currently offers drop-in support for anyone dealing with a life altering illness, caregiver pamper days, meditation, laughter yoga and more. Serenity House Hospice opened its doors in 2006 and has been offering programs, support and information since that time.

"Our Hospice Donation Draw is an annual event that we look forward to each year," says Mary Carter, area director of Bayshore Home Health's London branch. "It allows us to give back and reconnect with people in the community."

People entered the draw by visiting Bayshore's website, clicking on the Hospice Donation Draw graphic and typing in the password found on the draw entry card they received from a Bayshore representative. The draw has been held for the past four years and allows Bayshore's branches to reconnect with their referral sources and the communities they serve.

More than 3,600 people from across Canada entered the draw in support of local hospice palliative care," says Mike Krunic, director of marketing for Bayshore Home Health. "In particular, people in Vancouver, Windsor, Brockville and Belleville should be congratulated for having the most people participate in the draw."

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, Canada is unable to provide valuable hospice palliative care services to over 70% of those dying within the country, according to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.

"Hospices help families at a very difficult time in their lives," concludes Carter. "I really can't think of a better charitable cause than a donation to a hospice."

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 and 20 community care clinics. Bayshore's 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 specialty pharmacy, infusion clinic and patient support services to a variety of health care and pharmaceutical organizations.

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www.bayshore.ca