Hike for Cornwall Hospice surpasses goal by $2,000

Cornwall Hospice was no exception, with hikers raising $54,000 to support the end-of-life care centre’s operations.

Dozens of people turned out on Sunday to support the hospice in their efforts to continue to bring quality end-of-life experiences to residents of Cornwall and area.

“This is the 12th Annual Hike for Hospice,” said Sandy Collette. “We’re hoping to raise $52,000 and we are inching up there gradually.”

Collette said often family members of loved ones who have taken advantage of the hospice come out each year to support the hospice at this event.

“I guess it’s a testament to the care that is provided to their loved ones in their final days,” she said.

Losing a loved one is never easy. During their last days the quality of care is of utmost importance to family members and something they will remember always.

Jeff and Terry Bates took part in the Hike in support of the hospice because of this.

“We’ve had people go through this hospice before,” said Jeff Bates. “It’s a great organization and Cornwall is very fortunate to have it. We are out here to support them and to make sure they have the money to continue to do it.”

Vince Marleau also took part in the hike due to his association with the hospice.

“My brother passed on two years ago,” said Marleau. “He was here and they took such great care of him that I wanted to support them.”

Crystal Lalonde got a team together to take part because she just wanted to help out.

“I just wanted to do a good thing for a good cause,” she said.

The 10-bed residential hospice has been open since 2009 and has provided end of life care to over 600 families.

Collette said most of the patients they see are from Cornwall, but more and more people from the counties are seeking out their services.

“We cover all five counties,” said Collette.

Carefor’s Cornwall Hospice is only partially funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.

The $500,000 a year they require to operate the facility comes from donations and fundraising. This fundraising event is the second largest for the hospice, the largest being a telethon held annually in November.

Last May, the Hike for Hospice event across Canada raised almost $2 million and according to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, 100% of the funds remained in local communities.