An enormous donation by the Chapman family of Markdale has put the fundraising campaign for a Residential Hospice in Owen Sound into hyper-drive.
Executive Director Residential Hospice of Grey Bruce, Scott Lovell says the organization is getting a $1-million cheque from Ashley Chapman, the Vice President of the Ice Cream company.
Lovell says the generous donation amounts to nearly one third of their goal of raising $3.5-million for construction of a stand alone Hospice.
As a result, the new Hospice to be built adjacent to the Owen Sound Regional Hospital, is expected to be named Chapman House.
Co-founder David Chapman says his family recognizes that they can play a leadership role and make a positive difference in the region.
He says their support for the new hospice building acknowledges that everyone in Grey and Bruce deserves to be treated with compassion and dignity at end-of-life.
Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving the suffering and improving the quality of life for people living with or dying from advanced illness.
Currently, Lovell says they are bursting at the seams in their temporary location at Seasons Retirement Community in Owen Sound.
He tells Bayshore Broadcasting News there is an urgent need for more beds, more space, and every month they are faced with a waiting list of referrals that ares greater than twice the number of beds operated presently.
Lovell says they are still discussing with the Southwest LHIN what number of beds will eventually be set up.
He says six is not enough to serve Grey Bruce and they may look at have additional beds in other locations in the area, or a bigger hospice in Owen Sound.
Land has been purchased at 1725 10th street east and Lovell hopes to get a shovel in the ground next spring, with the building completed by the fall of 2016.
Since opening in May 2013, RHGB has provided expert end-of-life care to more than 200 patients and their families, more than 50 per cent of whom were from outside the City.