Kelowna Hospice

Campaign to build hospice in Kelowna means peace, dignity for patients and families

“We were best friends for 30 years— we worked together, we played together, we raised our families together,” says Deborah Stewart, remembering her best friend Cynthia who died of cancer in Kelowna. “While she was sick, she felt she still had to be there for her kids and her friends. It was a huge burden. She needed respite, somewhere where she could be looked after.”

In her nine years as head of palliative care at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the Southern Interior, Dr. Gillan Fyles has seen many similar situations. “A hospice can make such a huge difference to patients and families. It allows people to die in comfort and dignity in the place of their choice and for families to know their loved one got the best care possible,” she explains.

BC Cancer Foundation part of unique Holding Hands for Hospice campaign Knowing that there are not enough hospice beds in Kelowna, Gillian is excited about the fundraising campaign for a hospice to serve the Southern Okanagan community.

Holding Hands for Hospice is a unique partnership of the BC Cancer Foundation, the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Its goal is to raise $3 million to build and equip a 24-bed, free-standing hospice on the historic W.A.C. Bennett homestead. Walter Gray, former Kelowna mayor and local broadcasting icon, chairs the campaign. “I knew a wonderful community like Kelowna would support its own hospice and we could raise the money locally,” he says. “People elsewhere have told me about the wonderful facilities they have that helped family members die in peace and dignity. Everyone deserves that chance,” he adds.

Jim Nixon, owner and manager of the Eldorado Hotel in Kelowna, agrees. His father did not have that chance and Jim wants to make sure others do. “It is hard for your family to say goodbye when you are gathered around a curtained-off bed in a room for four patients. It is just not right,” he remembers. Jim donated the proceeds from his annual Innkeepers Christmas Party and plans to do so for the next four years towards his goal of $400,000.

Research and education a part of new Hospice
The new hospice will have a comfortable, relaxed home-like atmosphere, with beautiful views overlooking a creek and just minutes from the cancer centre. The 24 private beds can be increased to 36 for future needs.

There will be space for the specialized Palliative Response Team to be based with hospice staff, rather than scattered through the community as it is now. In addition to providing patients with highly-specialized and sophisticated care, the new facility will also conduct palliative care and pain and symptom research and provide education programs. “We will be able to investigate which drugs are the best to alleviate pain with the least side effects, discover how to enhance quality of life and how best to deliver different models of care,” Gillian explains.

The BC Cancer Foundation has already raised $400,000 for palliative research in addition to its commitment to raise $900,000 of the $3 million the three partner organizations are raising for the capital costs.

“The response from donors and from local media promoting the campaign is incredible,” says Walter. “We expect to be on target to open the hospice in 2008. Our community can be proud they are helping individuals live out their fi nal days with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

If you would like more information about contributing to the Holding Hands for Hospice campaign Please contact director of development Cynthia Waldek-Peters at 250.712.3910, toll free 1.866.230.9988 or by email at cwaldekpeters@bccancer.bc.ca