On Saturday, October 12 2019, something extraordinary is going to happen.
People from around the world who have been impacted by a life-limiting illness — either personally or by supporting a loved one — will be making their voices heard, asking policy makers to pay attention to prioritize palliative care policies and services. Further, people who have been standing in solidarity with them — local leaders, volunteers, advocates, clinicians — will be volunteering their time to amplify this public message: Palliative Care: it’s “My Care, My Right.”
When my husband, John, became palliative, we wanted to keep him at home. However, as his illness progressed it became clear that this would be far more difficult than we imagined so we chose hospice care, a decision we never regretted. The care he received 24/7 from first class medical staff, personal care workers and volunteers made John’s final weeks as contented as they could be in the circumstances. This lifted a great burden from our family, as the help we received at home could only cover a few hours per day. Since the hospice was a distance from home that presented me with a problem as I do not drive. Family and friends were wonderful in giving rides, but last winter’s weather made the drive difficult, even impossible, some days. I envied my sister in that the hospice where her husband was taken was only a few minutes away from home. A local hospice is a great blessing! – Gloria
(MILTON, September 3, 2019) – The LWSP Slo-pitch tournament is giving a boost to efforts to bring residential hospice care to the Milton and Halton Hills areas with a $20,000 donation to the Townsend Smith Foundation.
Organizers say they have been supportive of the work of the Townsend Smith Foundation and the founding Smith and Townsend families for several years and wanted to help propel them even further with this contribution.
“On behalf of the LWSP organizing committee and the players, spectators, volunteers, local businesses and community partners who have supported the tournament over the years, we are thrilled to be making this donation to the Townsend Smith Foundation,” says Laurie Day, LWSP committee chair. “The Townsend Smith Foundation’s plan to bring residential hospice care to the Milton and Halton Hills area will support residents for years to come and it’s an effort we’re proud to support,” says Day.
Since its inception, the LWSP Slo-pitch tournament has been rooted in community spirit and giving. The event was founded in 1996 by friends in their last year of high school when one of their group suffered a tragic pool accident resulting in a spinal cord injury. Witnessing the community come together prompted the group to continue the event for the benefit of others.
While the organizing committee has evolved over the years, the founding group’s compassion and commitment to supporting individuals, families and organizations in Milton has lived on. Over the past 24 years, the LWSP Slo-Pitch tournament has been attended annually by hundreds of players and spectators and has provided financial support to dozens of Milton families, individuals and organizations. To this day it remains one of the most popular summer events in Milton and draws teams from throughout the GTA and beyond.
“As a funeral director, I support hospice care for north Halton because I see firsthand how difficult it can be for family members to have to travel from home to either Oakville, Guelph or Burlington, on top of the emotional stress they are already under. I also see those who struggle to keep their family member at home, because there just isn’t space available. As an individual, I support hospice care for north Halton because should I ever need it myself, I want to know that there is a place for me close to home, to lighten the burden on my family.” — Rebecca Hunter
“When my husband, Ron, was diagnosed with lung cancer, his wish was to die at home. However he also wanted us to know that should caring for him become too much physically and/or emotionally, he wanted to be placed in a hospice. Unfortunately, there was no hospice in Milton or Halton Hills and no availability elsewhere when the end came. This picture was taken shortly before Ron died. It was the last time we were all together as just family. From then on, we were his caregivers. Our children, Matt and Amy, as well as our daughter-in-law, Tammy, were unable to have time with their father. Our grandson, Jake, could not have time with his Poppa. I did not have the time to be his wife. Those connections were lost and we all missed them so very much. We realized then that a hospice was desperately needed in our community. Working together with friends and family of Tessie Smith the Townsend Smith Foundation was formed. Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones as they begin their end-of-life journey in a gentle, dignified way. Everyone should be able to have that time together, to just be there for each other.” – Janet Townsend
