First annual Hike for Hospice welcomes more participants

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

In chorus with the National Hospice Palliative Care Week, the Wheatland and Area Hospice Society (WAHS) is launching the first annual Hike for Hospice to raise awareness and funds for programs surrounding palliative care.
The aim of the fundraiser will further propel the vision of a hospice facility for end-of-life care and services within Strathmore and Wheatland County.
The society is hosting a 5 km walk around Gray’s Park and a 1 km walk around Kinsmen Lake to help educate and raise awareness of the issue as well as raise funds to support local terminally ill patients and their families.
“Our communities form a huge part of our lives and experiences,” said Dr. Joni McNeely, president of WAHS board of directors. “When we are faced with a critical illness or must make decisions surrounding the end of life, our communities are the ones who can step in to support us and ensure that our wishes are honoured. The Wheatland and Area Hospice Society strives to facilitate a compassionate community that can meet the diverse needs of the families in Wheatland County and area.”
Thus far, the society has already obtained approximately $650,000 towards the collaborative project, yet remains shy of the necessary $3 million to $5 million required for obtaining a building and to cover operational costs. In addition, the society expects yearly salaries and operations will cost at least another $500,000. While other fundraisers proved successful over the past two-and-a-half years – since fundraising efforts began – the Hike for Hospice is a collaborative effort with the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association to bring awareness to communities with this national initiative.
“This happens across Canada in several cities and it is more of an awareness this time; there’s a fundraising aspect to it, but it’s more of an awareness for a hospice,” said Judy McLean, secretary with WAHS.
“If you ask somebody where they want to die they say they want to die at home, and our society is working on that aspect to be able to provide the support for people without causing caregiver burnout. We want to be able to have the people from our area die close to their home so the community can be around them.”
The event will feature live entertainment, guest speakers, health and wellness booths, and a presentation by Wheatland Elementary School’s Grade 3 students.
The first annual Hike for Hospice will take place on May 6 at Kinsmen Park, and is a family- and pet-friendly event. Registration is $10, and kids under five years of age are free. Registration and festivities start at noon, and the hike starts at 1 p.m. To register visit wheatlandhospice.ca. For more information about services or to volunteer, e-mail info@wheatlandhospice.ca or call 403-934-8199.