The best Christmas gift Sudbury's only hospice ever received came a bit early.
A $1-million donation from the McCulloch family was announced Thursday at Cambrian Ford.
It's the single largest donation to date toward the hospice's upcoming capital expansion. With the donation, the hospice will be renamed Maison McCulloch Hospice.
Bruce and Sandra McCulloch chose the hospice, because they know first hand the value of its services. Their son, Stephen, passed away at the hospice in September 2013.
McCulloch was an active community volunteer, serving on the boards of the Sudbury Theatre Centre, Cambrian College, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce and the Adanac Ski Club. He was renowned for his energy, positive attitude and big smile.
On Sept. 9, 2013, McCulloch passed away after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. He was 48. Remembered as a loving family man, he left behind his wife, Marett, and their two teenage children, Montana and Garett.
Even as he battled cancer, McCulloch wanted to make a difference. He donated his 1965 Mustang convertible — worth $38,000 — to the Northern Cancer Foundation for a fundraising raffle.
“As a family, we were overwhelmed by the compassionate care and professionalism ... of the staff and volunteers,” said Sandra McCulloch. “They were so kind, so comforting and so loving, so we wanted to give back so that other people going through what we did can experience it the way we did.”
Since opening its doors eight years ago, the hospice has cared for more than 1,200 patients and their families, as well as more than 1,000 community clients at their homes. However, the facility is bursting at its seams, said executive director Leo Therrien today.
“There's so much more we can do for this community,” he said. “We're hoping to launch our expansion in the new year, but this is a big boost to our upcoming campaign.”
The capital campaign will raise funds to add another 16,000 square feet to the hospice, which will more than double its size, and to add an additional 10 beds, bringing the total to 20, including a special pediatric bed that will accommodate children and respite beds that will be there to give caregivers a break.
