Statement made on 08 February 2011 by Senator Elizabeth Hubley
Hon. Elizabeth Hubley:
Honourable senators, on Saturday, February 5, at the Confederation Centre Public Library in Charlottetown, I attended the launch of a book entitled: I Know an Angel... The First 25 Years of Hospice Palliative Care on PEI, 1985-2010. The book presents an historical review of hospice palliative care in Prince Edward Island over the past 25 years.
Written by Eleanor Davies of Stratford, herself a founder and a 25-year volunteer with hospice, the book chronicles how a small group of dedicated Islanders who, recognizing the need for hospice palliative care, made a big impact on the life of Islanders living with life-threatening illnesses. Their motto became "Make each day count."
Volunteer chapters of hospice exist throughout the province. In the past 25 years, over 1,500 trained volunteers have provided in excess of 45,000 hours of care in a variety of settings, including the community, patients' homes and palliative care beds in acute and chronic care facilities. These volunteers are an important component of the Integrated Palliative Care Program.
Honourable senators, hospice volunteers across the country are truly angels who give of themselves to provide comfort and support to patients and to the families of patients who are living with life-threatening illnesses.
I am proud to say that Eleanor Davies is my sister, and I remind all honourable senators to make each day count.