Campaign aims to boost hospice profile
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Updated: November 26, 2009 9:18 AM
No ifs, ands or buts: hospice is about living.
That’s the message officials with the local hospice society are focused on, as they move forward on efforts to boost awareness of what hospice is about, who it is for and why it is important.
Many people associate hospice strictly with dying, said White Rock Hospice Society’s Yvon Thibeault.
The society’s take, on the other hand, is that everyone will die eventually. What matters is the quality of their lives between now and then.
Understanding that, says Thibeault, is key in the lead-up to launching the society’s multi-million-dollar capital campaign, the final step in bringing a long-held dream – that of a permanent hospice residence in White Rock – to reality.
“We’re trying to brand the hospice society,” Thibeault said.
Recent steps in that direction include a redesign of the society’s website and literature. Consistency across the board was a goal.
The society invested $9,000 in the website redesign, which came together with help from volunteers Merle Scott and Tom Grady, Thibeault and hospice’s Jan Stadnyk. A website design company created the final product, which Thibeault described as user-friendly. With minimal clicks, site visitors can access information on the range of services and programs offered, view testimonials, learn about volunteer opportunities and even pledge support.
A listing of news and events on the home page alerts visitors to events, such as hospice’s Dec. 3 Getting Through the Holidays workshop at White Rock Community Centre.
Weekly ads in the Peace Arch News are another effort at raising the society’s profile.
In the next 12 months, work will focus on identifying and building relationships with potential major funding partners. Their support will be critical to the success of the capital campaign, Thibeault said.
He noted the hospice residence project is one that will benefit the whole community. Once built, it will provide end-of-life care to terminally ill individuals in a home-like environment.
“It’s not about getting something for the society. It’s about getting something for the community,” Thibeault said.
“It’s a community asset and we’re the only community that doesn’t have one.”
For more information about the society visit whiterockhospice.org
