Building a hospice one brick at a time
By Barbara Richards

What would you do if someone you loved was at the end of their life journey and begged to come home to spend their final days? Could you provide the support required to fulfill their request? What would your choices be? Who would you call?

What would you do if your best friend is 28 years old, a single mom with limited family support, is responsible for four young children under the age of seven, and now has been diagnosed with a terminal illness? She wants to spend her final days in a home like setting, where her children can visit. They will have memories of mom, surrounded by compassion and care, in a facility that encourages loved ones to visit as often as they like. They can even bring the family pet.

Hospice Simcoe answered those questions and provided support services at no cost, to the individuals and their families. Committed as they are, the hospice could not offer an alternative residential setting to completely fulfill those final requests.

The hospice's vision, and the reason for their "Count Me In!" capital campaign, is to build a ten bed residential facility that will provide caring support and choices to anyone with a life threatening illness. It's not about curing - it's about living, caring and offering a choice, so the residents at the end of life's journey can live their life to the fullest, surrounded by their loved ones, until their final breath.

Scotia Bank in Barrie also has a vision and a sense of caring. They have partnered with the hospice and launched the Buy a Brick campaign at all their local branches.