Under a blanket of sun, a sea of smiling faces marched from the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre this afternoon, celebrating life at the 12th annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care.
The annual event has grown in both participation and monetary support since it's inception 12 years ago, last year raising a record $162,000 for the Maison McCulloch Hospice. Inspiring this year's goal of $162,001.
Former chair and active member on the hospice foundation's board of directors Kevin McCormick said he believes this ever-increasing support to be a testament to the impact of the hospice and the increasing number of community members who recognize it's value.
"These events are critical for who we are," said McCormick. Not just in the money raised to support the annual $1 million operating budget, but as an opportunity to remember those who have had the opportunity to live with dignity, thanks to the team of volunteers and staff at Maison McCulloch Hospice.
"Many walking today are walking for family members and loved ones that have journeyed on," said McCormick. "Its a celebration of life and a celebration of the role the hospice plays and continues to play in Sudbury's future."
A role young Ryan Sabourin became more familiar with this week, after participating alongside his Grade 3 classmates in the McLeod Public School Hike for Hospice. This was not the first time Sabourin had been introduced to the hospice, having watched close family friend "Nanny Dale" receive "excellent care," as described by his grandfather David Viau.
But there was something about this year -- although he can't quite put a finger on it -- that inspired Sabourin to race downstairs Saturday morning and declare that he wanted to host a milkshake stand in support of the hospice. After receiving some words of wisdom as to the effect of heat on dairy products, it was decided that Sabourin would host a lemonade stand that very day.
While grandma and mom were out purchasing lemonade products, Viau said he and his grandson got to work making their stand, right there in the backyard. The stand read 'Ryan's for Hospice Lemonade Stand' and if that didn't get your attention, Sabourin said you could hear him screaming "Lemonade" and then "Pink Lemonade now," once they were forced to switch product.
In the span of four hours, Sabourin was able to raise $165.25 for the Maison McCulloch Hospice, of which Viau said he didn't keep a nickel. Sabourin presented his donation this morning alongside his grandfather, both proudly sporting their Green Bay Packers ball caps.
Young and old, white collar and blue collar, the Hike for Hospice welcomes a wide variety of community members year-after-year, said Chair of the Hospice Foundation and the Stand By Me Campaign Gerry Lougheed Jr. Joined together in support of a universal service, but bonded by something deeper.
Caring for people is something we all are capable of, but "unfortunately, we can't cure everybody," said Lougheed. "I think everybody understands that the hospice is a place that brings lots of caring, brings family support and brings light in some very dark days."
"The hospice isn't about dying, it's about living your last days on your own terms."
This year, through the help of his network of friends, extended family and his grandson Kiran Kelsi, Lougheed was able to raise $15,000 for the Hike for Hospice. Assisting the facility in its goal to have the first pediatric bed outside of Ottawa and Toronto, and the first respite bed in Ontario.
"I firmly believe that our hospice is the gold-standard in North America in regards to community and delivering very compassionate care," said Lougheed. Contributing to the goal of complete care Lougheed envisions for Greater Sudbury.
"We as a community built the regional cancer treatment center, founded the first regional research foundation in Ontario, increased our oncology wards at the hospital, the last piece of care is the hospice and we were able to build that ten-years-ago," said Lougheed.
"In terms of caring for everybody, right from the first diagnosis and ultimately, the journey beyond this world, we're able to look after that."
More information on the Maison McCulloch Hospice can be found here.
