Donate

The Society committed to meet the needs of all patients and their families in the palliative care service through compassion, comfort and care.  The Society has been able to achieve this thanks to the generous contributions of its donors. 

The Society has donation programs and several yearly campaigns that make it easy for those who are interested to donate or help raise dollars.  When you give to the Hospice Society of Cape Breton County, your donation helps the Society provide support and enhanced care, educate healthcare professionals and volunteers and provide comfort for those patients and their families who are facing end of life.  

Donations, no matter how large or small, bring us closer to our goal to sustain and provide enhanced hospice palliative care for families in Cape Breton County.  Friends of Hospice receive a bi-annual newsletter and other information to keep them informed on the activities of the Society,

Become a Friend of Hospice

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of Hospice Palliative Care in Cape Breton County. To recognize this anniversary, the Board of Hospice Palliative Care has set a goal to expand the services it delivers to patients and families through the establishment of “Friends of Hospice”. 

With your help, through a donation of $50, you will be able to assist in expansion of the many important and personal support services that can make a critical difference in the lives of those we love when faced with life threatening illnesses.  Perhaps you have experienced the impact of the kind and generous spirit that is offered to those in need. If so, then you understand the difference that a $50 donation can make.  If you have not had need of Hospice Palliative Care services, then you are blessed and can appreciate the gift of good health.  The stress of serious illness, physically, emotionally and spiritually, can be enormously difficult; having an ordinary or special need met can bring energy, joy and relief to individuals and households afflicted by matters far beyond their control. 

Consider becoming a Friend of Hospice today.  Complete the donation form at Canada Helps  – and in doing so know that your contribution truly impacts the daily lives of many fellow Cape Bretoners. Indeed, many will be grateful for your friendship.

On-going Programs

Memorial Cards

At any time, make a donation in memory of a loved one. Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County Memorial Cards are available through the Hospice Palliative Care Office or at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. They are also found at all funeral homes in Cape Breton County, and can be mailed out on request.

Special Recognition Cards

Special Recognition Cards are available at the Hospice Palliative Care Society Office.  Special Recognition Cards are contributions in recognition of someone special to you. Special recognition contributions may be made to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, wedding, anniversaries, graduation or other milestones.

Online Giving

Are you looking for a fast and easy way to donate to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County? Are you displaced from Cape Breton, but still want to support the Society’s initiatives? Maybe you’re unable to dedicate time to the service or visit the office. Give online – it’s easy.  By donating online you are helping the Society reach its goals and your support will assist patients and their families as they face end of life.

Corporate Donations

The Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County gratefully accepts community support through corporate donations as well.  Each corporate donation enables the Society to provide additional support for the many needs of the patients and families in the palliative care service as demonstrated through the outstanding generosity of many corporate donors during fundraising efforts to create the An Cala Unit.

Campaigns

Daisy Day

The annual Daisy Day campaign is held the first week of May during National Hospice Palliative Care Week to provide public awareness of the services and the needs of palliative care patients and families, and to raise funds for the Society.  Tables are set-up at various locations throughout the municipality to provide information on palliative care services.  Donors also receive a Daisy as a sign of thanks.

This year be sure to visit with our volunteers at many locations in the local area on Friday, April 29^th and Saturday, April 30th.

“Together We Care” Golf Tournament

This annual event is held in June at the Bell Bay Golf Club in Baddeck and has enjoyed great success since inception.  It is hugely supported by the community through sponsorships and participation, providing a pleasurable and physically active way for community members to raise funds for the Society. It’s great fun for all involved and once again, results go directly to patients and families.  

Community Fundraising Projects

The Society welcomes the arrangement of fundraising initiatives by community groups and encourages those interested in such a project to contact the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County. Some wonderful examples of such events in recent years include: 

• CWL   Fashion Show
• Cape Breton Chorale Concerts in support of the Music Therapy Program
• Gillis Building Supplies
• Riverview Y's Men
• Cape Breatoners Dragonboat Festival
• Cape Breton Free Wheelin Bikers

Tax Deduction

All donations made to Hospice Palliative Care of Cape Breton Country are entitled to receive a tax receipt.  Our Charitable Registration # 0757575-11-04 and receipts are issued on a regular basis.

Successes

The successes of the Hospice Society of Cape Breton County are a result of collaborative year-round and responsive support. The Society continues to enhance the An Cala Palliative Care Unit, assess the service programs to ensure that patients’ needs continue to be met and advocate for hospice care services and support.

An Cala Palliative Care Unit
The Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County raised over $750,000 to renovate and create a unique nine bed Palliative Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. The An Cala Palliative Care Unit opened on April 8, 2008, providing acute palliative care support for patients and their families in the Cape Breton District Health Authority.  Since that time it has cared for many patients and countless family members.  Their experiences have been as individual as those who needed care but the common threads in the tapestry of care is the compassion, comfort and personal kindness experienced by one all.

Whether it is the attentive care of the healthcare team, the warm smile of a volunteer, the enjoyment of music therapy, the cup of tea given to a friend or the comforting quiet of the family room, the An Cala Palliative Care Unit embraces all those who enter it with warmth and understanding.

Music Therapy Program  
Establishment of the Music Therapy Program has had great impact for both the patient and their families. Each patient’s need for the program and their use of it is unique and customized to support them. It has proven to be a means of reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, an opportunity to share pleasant memories with family members, a form of spiritual support, a distraction from the stress of illness and in some cases a legacy for family members.  Patients utilizing music therapy extend to other units with the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and other health care facilities within the District as well as the An Cala Unit.

Palliative Care at Home
Many Cape Bretoners living with life threatening illness derive their greatest comfort from being at home with spouses, children and extended family.  In order to make this a reality, the Society quite often makes arrangements for equipment, supplies and support services that make the difference between being in hospital and being at home. Needs can range from the very basic to the very complex depending on the patient’s situation. With the fund raised with the community at large the Society is able to make it happen.

Future Focus

Community Hospice Beds
The next major project will be in support of the District Health Authority development of Community Hospice Beds. The addition of Hospice Beds in the community in other locations will further extend the reach and influence of Hospice Palliative Care services. The beds under consideration could be in a wing attached to a long care facility or in a free standing structure. They would be for patients too frail or unwell to go home and yet no longer needing acute care hospital beds. The Society is committed to assisting in any way it can to make community hospice beds a reality.

Watch for news of this unfolding project!