Cross-Canada trek brings attention to palliative care

He walked more than 1,800 kilometres to reach Sudbury, and will walk around 3,900 more before he reaches his final destination — Victoria, British Columbia.

Ian Bos took a break at Sudbury's Maison Vale Hospice Friday to talk about the importance of palliative care, and his mission to raise more awareness around the important end-of-life service.

Bos, who hails from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, embarked on his cross-Canada journey from his hometown May 21, around five months after his father, Ted Bos, died of lung cancer.

“He was a hard-working guy totally dedicated to his family,” Bos said about his father.

Ted was cared for by New Glasgow's Aberdeen Palliative Care Society, an outpatient palliative care service, in his final days.

Bos said the care the society, and its medical lead, Dr. Gerald Farrell, provided his father was excellent. But when he found out only one in three Canadians have access to palliative care, he decided to do something about it.

“I find it really distressing that where you live in Canada determines the type of death you have,” he said.

Since May 21, Bos has walked around 45 kilometres per day while carrying a 50-pound bag, and relying on the kindness of strangers, in many cases, for shelter.

His goal is to raise more awareness around the importance of palliative care services, and collect at least $25,000 for the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, and the various affiliated provincial associations.

When he visits cities like Sudbury that have access to a hospice, he also encourages local donations.

“Compassion and dignity are only words until you see it in action,” he said.

To learn more about Bos' walk, and help him reach his goal, visit www.ianswalk2015.ca.