From Vision to Breaking Ground

written by Alana Lister

For every individual and their family, when the moment arrives to bid a difficult farewell, the experience is frequently daunting, occurring in hospitals and homes that may require traveling long distances and evoke feelings of unfamiliarity. Every person who is nearing the end of their life deserves respect, compassion and the warmth of genuine human connection – but in a world that thrives on rushing from place to place, goal to goal, this essential human touch can at times be overlooked, lost in the whirlwind. However, the ­dedicated team of donors and committee members at Strathroy Hospice are ­determined to alleviate the sufferings of those in need of palliative care and their families by concentrating their efforts ­into building a local hospice, a place to ­welcome those in the area in need of

end-of-life care and to support those who love them. Now more than ever, the spirit of generosity and kindness the local ­community is known for is desperately needed. Every single cent counts towards propelling this dream off the ground and helping it take on a physical form.

At ­present, the hospice has reached only 20% of its goal – and all community members are encouraged to donate, however they are able, towards bringing this incredible vision to life. 

The last few months and weeks of a­ ­terminally ill individual’s life are a special, sacred and often difficult time, and Strathroy Hospice longs to provide a ­sanctuary for those in Strathroy-Caradoc, ­Middlesex County, Lambton County and surrounding areas struggling with their ­­end-stage illnesses. Their main goal is to be able to provide these patients with ­personalized and compassionate expert care from a team of ­medical professionals, managing symptoms and relieving pain to the best of their ­ability, not only administering that specialized care, but providing it in a cozy, serene, home-like environment right in the heart of their own community. This care also extends beyond the ­physical: in addition to palliative care, this hospice will also ­provide spiritual and emotional ­counselling, as well as grief ­support and other resources, helping both patients and their families find peace and comfort in challenging times. The Strathroy Hospice campaign is a big part of an essential ­mission for the local area – when this ­facility is built, it will provide crucial ­services and methods of care to those nearing the end of their lives when they need it the most, as well as supporting their families, creating a legacy of love and support for generations to come.

A beautiful piece of local land is ­currently home to waving grasses and tranquil skies, but it is the committee’s hope that within the next few years, ­zoning discussions will lead to this ­landscape soon welcoming a new resident – Strathroy Hospice, a state-of-the-art end-of-life care facility nestled in a peaceful countryside setting, with five beds for patients and a dedicated team of ­professionals to support them and their families. This dynamic team of nurses, ­doctors, social workers, spiritual care providers and volunteers on-site will be able to ensure that each patient and ­their family members receives customizable support and care, transforming the ­community with compassion, one person at a time. Plans and artistic renderings for this site are bursting with homey touches and natural beauty: they include comfortably furnished resident rooms, care areas and family spaces, therapeutic gardens, community areas and spaces for reflection, as well as a panoramic view of the local flora and fauna surrounding the premises. The tender hospice care provided at this facility will be patient-centered, promoting advance care planning discussions which will help patients express their personal end-of-life care preferences and treatment options.

This facility will also aim to ­integrate its patients and families with their communities, referring them to additional assistance options as needed to provide the best, most well-rounded support ­system possible.

The names of several donors who have significantly contributed to the facility’s building fund will grace the walls in various prominent plaques and acknowledgments, and the names of the various rooms within the facility will also correspond with the names of local donors who have helped the Hospice vision to leap off the paper and into reality, inspiring the future with a legacy of selfless service and compassion.

For years, the annual Community over Cancer event, formerly known as Casino Strathroyale, has been devoted to raising money to support families in the local area fighting cancer by assisting with costs not covered by the government, such as travel and medical expenses, as well as helping bridge the financial gap caused by time off work. The committee behind these wildly ­successful events, along with a few new members, have now raised such a ­significant amount that they can set their sights to a more ambitious goal, known as the Capital Campaign: funding the Strathroy Hospice building. To date, a whopping $1 million has ­been raised towards this cause, a testament to the loyal ­generosity of the local area. Residential hospices are partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, making ­palliative care available to those qualifying for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), but the remainder of the funding is provided by the public, via fundraising and donations. Government negotiations for a grant are currently pending, and the committee anticipates that in order to be able to officially break ground with this project and begin construction, as well as maintain an operating fund for future years, a total goal of $5 ­million will need to be raised. It is estimated that the facility’s yearly operating costs will be 50% government-funded and 50% supported by fundraising and donations. To assist with ­getting this project off the ground, the Capital Campaign will introduce a multi-tiered system honouring all its generous donors at varying levels of their donations – for instance, a donor of $500+ will be honoured as a Supporter of Strathroy Hospice, while some of the higher financial tiers will allow donors naming rights over ­residents’ rooms and other spaces within the facility. Every single dollar is important in this cause, and every little bit will help the hospice secure its future as a haven of rest and ­dignity for those in need of its care.

When the beds are officially awarded and the property is secured, provided that there are adequate funds, the facility is set to open within three years of that time. The committee and all of its affiliates and members extend their sincere thanks to the ­individuals and companies who have partnered with them via fundraising events and donations to bring this goal to life. In ­addition, many grateful and heartfelt thanks are extended to the committee for their selfless dedication of time, talent and ­treasure towards making their beautiful vision a reality.

Each member of the community is warmly invited to join this cause by becoming a donor today. For more information or to donate, please connect with them via email through the website.

for more information visit

www.strathroyhospice.com