Maison McCulloch Hospice received a significant boost in their journey toward expansion, as the Perdue family made a $500,000 donation on Dec. 22 in honour of Norinne Perdue.
The donation will go toward the capital expansion of the community residential hospice in honour of Gerry Perdue's wife Norrine, and with the donation, the Norinne E. Perdue Centre of Excellence in Hospice Palliative Care will be part of the expansion.
Gerry was joined by two of his three children, Angela and Cameron for the Dec. 22 announcement, with his third child, Jason, working in Toronto at St. Maragaret's hospital.
Cameron Perdue and sister Angela spoke about the hospice and its value to the community.
"The Maison McCulloch Hospice holds a very special place in our hearts, it's now about three years since our mother passed away due to cancer, and those last days are something that we will never forget," said Angela Perdue.
"I'm sure that everyone in this room can relate or has been through something like this. My mom never went to the hospice but we saw first-hand the care that went in at the end of her life and we see what the hospice serves here in Sudbury."
That message was a common one among those who spoke during the ceremony, with the likes of Greater Sudbury mayor Brian Bigger, Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré, and Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault all speaking about what the hospice means to the community.
"As I've said many times, exceptional hospice palliative care is something that we're all proud of in this community," said Bigger. "The Maison McCulloch Hospice provides care in a beautiful environment that is second to none in Canada. City council is pleased to commit to providing $750,000 toward the expansion because we as a council believe in how important it is to our community."
This legacy gift from the Perdue family will establish a hospice palliative care centre of excellence that embodies Norinne's passion for educational opportunities and accomplishments in enlightening and empowering palliative care providers.
"This will be the first palliative care centre of excellence in Ontario and will enlist and enable bright minds to ensure that we have best practices in palliative care," said Gerry Lougheed Jr. chair of the Stand By Me Campaign and Maison McCulloch Hospice board member.
"Today's gift provides the bricks and mortar for the heads, the hearts, and the hands that will do the research, write the papers, organize education symposiums and conferences and make sure appropriate and effective end of life procedures will be practiced."
Dr. Pablo Cano was Norinne's caregiver during her end of life care, and he spoke about the field of hospice and palliative care.
"A lot of people ask me, 'how do you do this, looking after so much sadness and pain?' But actually it's a privelege to be involved in the lives of remarkable families and you want to keep that going," said Cano.
"This project will enable communication and networking to carry on this spirit of palliative care for families."
