OTTAWA, May 1, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On May 3, 2015, thousands of Canadians of all ages will gather on walking paths, parks, and hiking trails across Canada to celebrate the 13th Annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care. The Hike for Hospice Palliative Care is a unique national fundraising event across Canada that brings together organizations working together in hospice palliative care to raise funds and awareness in their respective communities. "The national event allows organizations to show support at the grassroots level by having local communities come together for hospice palliative care," said Sharon Baxter, Executive Director for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA). The 2014 hike marked the twelfth year of the Hike for Hospice Palliative Care and was successful in raising over $1,700,000 for hospice palliative care across Canada. The purpose of the Hike is not only to raise much needed funds for hospice palliative care in Canada, but also to raise awareness of the many challenges faced by hospice palliative care professionals and volunteers while promoting their work. "The event has shown tremendous support and growth over the past years and we hope that it continues to expand so that more Canadians recognize the importance of this cause," said Baxter. It is currently estimated that only 16% to 30% of Canadians who die currently have access to or receive tertiary or specialist hospice palliative and end of life care services – depending on where they live in Canada. [i] All of the funds raised during the event stay within their respective local communities and will ensure that more Canadians receive the end of life care they wish for. All organizations that provide programs or services in hospice palliative care that can demonstrate that all funds generated from the hike will be used to support these programs are encourage to participate across Canada. The Hike for Hospice Palliative Care is coordinated by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, the national association which provides leadership in hospice palliative care and end of life care in Canada. This year the sponsors for the event are Bayshore Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline. A complete list of all participating Hike sites and additional information is available on the CHPCA website at www.chpca.net For more information, please contact: Tamir Virani Communications Officer Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association 1-800-668-2785 Ext. 299 tvirani@bruyere.org
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association – the national voice for hospice palliative care in Canada – is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in care for persons approaching death so that the burdens of suffering, loneliness and grief are lessened. The CHPCA operates in close partnership with other national organizations and continues to work to ensure that all Canadians, regardless of where they may live, have equal access to quality hospice palliative care services for themselves and their families. [i] Canadian Institute for Health Information, Health Care Use at the End of Life in Western Canada. Ottawa: CIHI.
Tamir Virani Communications Officer Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association 1-800-668-2785 Ext. 299
