Raising awareness on the need to bring more palliative care beds to the North Grenville community.
That’s the goal behind a partnership between the Beth Donovan Hospice and the Kemptville 73’s Hockey Club for the 2024-25 season.
Beth Donovan Hospice Executive Director Sue Walker says they know there are palliative care beds in Kanata and Ottawa south but those places are at least 55 kilometres away which doesn’t work for patients or their loved ones.
She says it’s vital that resources are close to home for the patients they serve.
“Their partner or spouse no longer drive, or they don’t drive in the city, there’s no transportation to get them there and some times they get a call in the middle of the night that now it’s time to come if you want to say goodbye and they can’t get there.”
Walker says there will be volunteers and a computer set up in the lobby at the North Grenville Municipal Centre for 73’s home games.
People will be able to digitally sign the petition calling for more beds and it will then automatically be sent to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark.
