Death. We like to think that it won’t happen to us or our loved ones. But, in reality, we know better. Admittedly, I had limited knowledge of hospice palliative care then, including the comfort, dignity and humanity that surrounds it. Little did I know that I would be experiencing it first hand within that coming year. Thankfully, my beloved mother-in-law died peacefully in a residential hospice, with her family and with her dignity, surrounded by love and compassion. I personally commend the entire hospice palliative care community across Canada for the exceptional work they do in providing the care and comfort for both the patient and family in such a difficult time. I am now a passionate supporter who is actively engaged because of my own experience, and as I become increasingly familiar with just how difficult this topic is for most people.
Talking about death won’t kill us. My role, and that of my other fellow members of the Champion’s Council, is to advance the profile of hospice palliative care across Canada; and we are doing so by talking. Some of the recent activities of my fellow Council members include a keynote address to the Canadian Club of Toronto by Paul Lucas, President and CEO of GlaxoSmithKline who challenged corporate Canada to embrace compassionate care; a workshop at the Human Resources Professionals Association Conference by Kathy Butler Mallette, Chief of Human Resources at the House of Commons, who brought to light workplace implications of employees caring for critically ill family members; and a keynote address to the Rideau Club in Ottawa by recently-retired Senator, Sharon Carstairs, who eloquently defined hospice palliative care as the essence of the human spirit.
Within the next few months, you will also be hearing about a thought-provoking campaign for which I am co-chairing with fellow Champion’s Council member, Russell Williams, President of Rx&D, that will challenge Canadians to view death and dying a little differently.
Together, we will continue to break the silence and help create dialogues and meaningful conversations surrounding end of life issues.
Maurice Sendak died recently. He was 83 years old. And while most of us know him best as the author of the popular children’s book Where the Wild Things Are, he also had a great quote that I wanted to leave with you:
“I cry a lot because I miss people. They die and I can’t stop them.
They leave me and I love them more.”
Michael Sangster is Vice-President, Federal Government Affairs at TELUS Communications.
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Champion’s Council is a group of dedicated community and business leaders who have come together to lend their voice and be champions in advancing the profile of hospice palliative care across Canada. They are dedicated advocates and supporters, and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association is very proud to call them friends. For a list of Champions, please click here.
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