Press Releases

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

--Canadians from 38 cities enter draw to give back to community hospices--

Victoria, BC, June 7, 2010 – Bayshore Home Health, Canada's largest provider of home and community health services, announced today that Victoria resident Brenda Pengelly is the winner of this year's Hospice Donation Draw. Ms. Pengelly won a $5,000 hospice donation that she will give to Victoria Hospice. Bayshore's Victoria home care branch donated an additional $3,000 to Victoria Hospice as part of the company's commitment to local hospices across the country, bringing the group's total donation to $8,000.

"I entered the Hospice Draw after hearing about it from the manager of nursing at the Victoria Hospice," says Ms. Pengelly, who also works for the Victoria Hospice as manager of education services. "I've donated to Victoria Hospice since 1991 when they cared for my dying mom and supported our bereaved family. I knew if I won the draw I would donate it to my employer to help support all the great work they do in the community."

Victoria Hospice provides end-of-life services for more than 3,000 people each year, including almost 900 patients and their families. Care and support are delivered both on the 17-bed palliative care unit and in patients' homes throughout the community. In addition to its reputation for patient care, Victoria Hospice works in collaboration with other partners across BC and Canada to advance clinical quality care through research and education.

"Our Hospice Donation Draw is an annual event that we look forward to each year," says Holly Dufresne, manager of clinical practice at Bayshore Home Health's Victoria branch. "It allows us to give back and reconnect with people in the community."

People entered the draw by visiting www.bayshore.ca. They simply clicked on the Hospice Donation Draw graphic and typed in the password. Their completed entry form was entered into the draw that was held on April 30, 2010.

"More than 3,000 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 Sarnia, St. John, New Brunswick and Windsor should be congratulated for having the most people participate in the draw."

According to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association only 16% to 30% of Canadians who die receive or have access to quality end-of-life care services. Even fewer receive grief and bereavement services.

"Hospices help families at a very difficult time in their lives," adds Krunic. "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, 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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www.bayshore.ca