At a New Year’s Levee held today at Hospice Vaughan, the Hospice staff, volunteers, Board of Directors and our Provincial, Municipal and Federal leaders came together. Hon. Michael A. Tibollo, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport and MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge confirmed the provincial government’s commitment to helping more people get compassionate end-of-life care in a home-like setting. This critical funding will support the Centre of Excellence and 10-bed Residential Hospice Facility in Vaughan. Hospice Vaughan – The Mario & Nick Cortellucci Hospice Palliative Care Centre of Excellence, which is now under construction, has been allocated $2 million in capital funding and $1.05 million in annual operating dollars.

This announcement is part of a $33.6 million investment to create 193 new residential hospice beds across Ontario. When these beds open, the government will provide $20.3 million each year in operational funding for nursing, personal support and other services.

Hospices provide holistic care to individuals nearing the end of their lives in a comfortable and home-like setting, where they can be close to loved ones. In this environment, family and friends can have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones will have access to appropriate end-of-life care. Hospice care focuses on relieving suffering and providing services like psychosocial, spiritual and grief and bereavement supports.

In continuing to offer diverse community-based services to support terminally ill individuals, family caregivers and those who are bereaved, our goal is to open the expanded residential Hospice Vaughan facility by the end of 2019. This facility will serve an additional 220 residents and their families through end-of-life care and over 1000 community members through comprehensive community and educational programs offered at no charge to those in need.

To meet capital campaign goals of $12 million, Hospice Vaughan relies on ongoing support and involvement of the community. Gratitude is extended to all for the support received to date. We continue to invite donations of any size to the “Better Ending” Capital Campaign alongside more volunteer supports to help the organization meet increasing community needs for timely hospice palliative care. To review capital donation opportunities or to discuss making a pledge contact Belinda Marchese at Hospice Vaughan at 905-850-6266 Ext. 205.

QUOTES

“Everyone should have access to dignified end-of-life care that respects the wishes of the patient and their loved ones. That’s why I am proud our government is committed to improving access to comfortable, end-of-life care in communities across the province like Vaughan. This investment will help address hallway health care, by ensuring more hospital beds remain available for those in need of acute care. We’re creating more beds and spaces to alleviate the pressures on our health care system.”

  • Michael Tibollo, MPP Vaughan-Woodbridge

“As Mayor and Honourary Chair of the Better Ending Capital Campaign to build a Residential Hospice and Centre of Excellence, I am pleased that the provincial government confirmed its commitment of $2 million in support of Hospice Vaughan.  This takes our fundraising efforts beyond $10 million and will be instrumental in delivering this state-of-the-art facility to the City of Vaughan.  Our capital campaign is rooted in the noble mission to provide first-class personal care with a focus on dignity and respect.  Thanks to the outstanding support of our generous community and government partners, we are one step closer to achieving our goal. The future Hospice Vaughan – The Mario & Nick Cortellucci Hospice Palliative Care Centre of Excellence will be a leader in the delivery of hospice palliative care, research and education.”

  • Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua

Honorary Chair, Hospice Vaughan Capital Campaign

“Hospice Vaughan is creating a true centre of excellence. Today represents yet another step forward in providing exceptional care for our residents of the City of Vaughan. Our government is committed to strengthen Canada’s healthcare system, providing continual long-term homecare and mental health support, as well as substantial funding through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT). The volunteers and team at Hospice Vaughan are leading the way with their vision, passion, support and dedication to this city – it’s exciting to see the progression and this centre of excellence coming into fruition.”

  • Francesco Sorbara, Member of Parliament for Vaughan-Woodbridge

“Hospice Vaughan would like to thank the provincial government for confirming its funding commitment to advancing hospice palliative care across the province. With this funding, we are well-positioned to open a new Centre of Excellence and 10-bed Residential Hospice that will serve as a place of strength, support and compassion for family members and caregivers of dying loved ones, while also saving costs and resources for the healthcare system. We are grateful to everyone involved in this project, including our wonderful community, dedicated volunteers, past and present Board, staff and all three levels of the government for their leadership in bringing expanded hospice palliative care supports to the City of Vaughan.”

  • Belinda Marchese, Executive Director

About Hospice Vaughan

Since 1995, Hospice Vaughan, a not-for-profit organization, has been providing compassionate support to individuals facing a life-limiting illness, their caregivers or those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. We provide various programs and services that include in-home visiting volunteers, a day program, grief and bereavement support, counselling and wellness services and children’s support. Our services extend out to caregivers, family members and friends who also need support through their loved one’s journey and through their grief. Hospice Vaughan is now building a Centre of Excellence 10-Bed Residential Hospice that will serve terminally ill individuals and will support other individuals and families impacted by their illness. This new facility will also house the new Hospice Vaughan Institute for Hospice Palliative Care. All our programs and services are offered free of charge.

www.hospicevaughan.com

For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Belinda Marchese, Executive Director, Hospice Vaughan

T: 905-850-6266 Ext. 205 M: 416-254-2397   E: belinda.marchese@hospicevaughan.com