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Castlegar News
National Hospice Palliative Care Week takes place from May 3 to 9.
This year, the awareness campaign is focusing on spreading the word about quality hospice palliative care. Good quality hospice care is something the Castlegar Hospice Society is familiar with.
The organization has been providing essential hospice support services since 1985. Executive director Suzanne Lehbauer says “Castlegar Hospice is in a unique position as we provide services to 100 per cent of the community. We provide hospice services, grief and bereavement support, professional hospice training, educational workshops and community workshops.
“As well, we are an advocate for equity in funding for rural hospices and are working on establishing a regional hospice centre for Kootenay Boundary.”
This year, there are two events planned during hospice week. The 14th annual Hike for Hospice is on Sunday morning in Kinsmen Park. Registration starts at 10:30 with the hike starting at 11.
Information and pledge forms are on the hospice website castlegarhospice.org. The second community event is the Bucket List Festival on Wednesday, May 6 at the Fireside Hotel.
Lehbauer remarks that the festival is “a scaled down version of the popular ones on the coast. With guest speakers like Dr. Nancy Reeves, Gordon Soukeroff and Sue Bell, it will be a day where you can learn to live your life to the fullest even when facing challenges.”
Tickets are available through the hospice office or at the door. The Bucket List Festival is proudly sponsored by Castlegar Hospice, Columbia Basin Trust and the Fireside Hotel.
Information about these events and Castlegar Hospice can be found at castlegarhospice.org, on the Castlegar Hospice Facebook page or by calling the office at 250-304-1266.