Hospice Orillia

05/08/2026

Hospice Palliative Care Week | Myth vs. Fact

MYTH: Hospice palliative care is only for the last few days of life.

FACT: Hospice palliative care can make a difference much earlier—supporting comfort, dignity, and quality of life for individuals and families throughout their journey.

Too often, people wait until the final moments to seek hospice support, but compassionate care can begin at any stage of a serious illness. Whether someone is facing intense symptoms, emotional uncertainty, or simply needs guidance, palliative care helps ease discomfort, clarify goals, and strengthen connections between patients, families, and care teams.

Early support means less stress, fewer hospital visits, and more time for what matters most: sharing memories, making meaningful choices, and spending precious moments with loved ones. It’s about ensuring every person feels seen, heard, and respected—wherever they call home.

This Hospice Palliative Care Week, we’re shining a light on the importance of timely, accessible care for all. No matter your circumstances, everyone deserves support that honours their dignity and enhances their quality of life.

Let’s break the myth and spread the truth—because compassionate care isn’t just for the end, it’s for the journey.

Learn more about supports available through Hospice Orillia at https://hospiceorillia.ca
Learn more about National Hospice Palliative Care Week at https://www.chpca.ca/awareness/national-hospice-palliative-care-week/

05/07/2026

At Hospice Orillia, compassion is more than a value—it’s the heart of everything we do, and it starts with people like you.

Are you ready to make a real difference in the lives of those facing life-limiting illness and grief? Join our team of dedicated volunteers and help bring comfort, dignity, and hope to our community.

As a Hospice Orillia volunteer, you can:
- Offer a listening ear and a comforting presence to those who need it most
- Support families by providing companionship or respite for caregivers
- Lend your talents to events, fundraising, communications, or behind-the-scenes support
- Become part of a welcoming, supportive volunteer family—no medical experience needed, just kindness and a willingness to help

We provide all the training and support you need to thrive in your role. With hospice care expanding, your time and compassion are needed now more than ever.

Ready to step forward? Here’s how you can help grow our caring community:
👉 Apply today: https://hospiceorillia.ca/volunteer/
👉 Call us at (705) 325-0505 ext. 218 to learn more
👉 Tag or share with someone whose kindness makes a difference!

This is more than volunteering—it’s joining a movement of care, connection, and community. Be the reason someone feels supported. Join Hospice Orillia and help us bring comfort, one moment at a time.

05/06/2026

Wednesday Wisdom 💙 Hospice Palliative Care Week

Presence is more powerful than perfection. In hospice palliative care, it’s not about having the right words—it’s about showing up, listening deeply, and holding space for what matters most.

Every person—whether in a rural community, a small town, or a city; house, apartment, or vulnerably housed—deserves access to compassionate, high-quality hospice palliative care. Dignity, comfort, and support are not privileges; they are essential, wherever you call home.

Every act of compassion, every quiet moment, and every hand held makes a difference. This week, let’s reflect, advocate, and collaborate to ensure no one is left without the support they need.

At the heart of this work is a simple truth: connection, dignity, and equitable care matter—always.

Learn more about Hospice Palliative Care Week: https://www.chpca.ca/awareness/national-hospice-palliative-care-week/

05/05/2026

Today, we stand in solidarity with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities on Red Dress Day, also known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People.

Across Canada, red dresses are hung in public spaces—powerful symbols of the lives that have been taken and the voices that are still unheard. Each dress represents someone who is deeply missed and a call to action for justice, safety, and systemic change.

We honour the families, survivors, and communities who continue to carry this grief while advocating for truth and accountability. Their strength and resilience remind us that awareness must lead to meaningful action.

Today, and every day, we commit to listening, learning, and standing alongside Indigenous communities. We remember. We honour. We will not look away.

Red Dress Day, 2026 - honouring the lives of all those impacted by MMIWG2S+ and recognizing the ongoing action and advocacy of those seeking justice.

05/05/2026

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Red Swan Pizza for their generous support of our recent staff meeting.

Their delicious pizza was enjoyed by all and helped create a welcoming space for our team to come together, connect, and recharge.

Community-minded partners like Red Swan Pizza make a meaningful difference, and we’re truly grateful for their kindness and support.

Thank you for helping us nourish both body and spirit!

05/04/2026

Yesterday, we were truly blown away by the incredible turnout for our annual Hike for Hospice.

Seeing our community come together to honour those we’ve lost, while supporting the future of local hospice care, made for a truly beautiful and meaningful day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it so special.

05/03/2026

🚀 TODAY’S THE DAY – LET’S HIKE FOR HOSPICE! 🚀

Get ready, Orillia! The epic Hike for Hospice kicks off TODAY, Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Tudhope Park (450 Atherley Rd, Orillia, ON L3V 1P2)!

Join hundreds of amazing folks as we lace up our boots to honor loved ones, raise life-changing funds, and shine a light on hospice palliative care – from compassionate end-of-life support to heartfelt bereavement programs.

Every step counts! 100% of proceeds stay right here in our community, fueling care from diagnosis all the way through grief support.

Let’s make memories, move mountains, and show up big for those who need us most. 🌳❤️

05/02/2026

Tomorrow’s the big day!

We’re so excited to come together for the Hike for Hospice in support of local hospice care.

Thanks to our amazing donors, sponsors, and volunteers, we have officially hit our goal of $65,000!

Hospice Orillia and Mariposa House Hospice work to ensure that no one in our community has to walk their journey alone—and tomorrow, we walk in support of that mission.

A few helpful reminders before you head out:
• Check-in opens at 10:30 AM
• Consider carpooling if you can
• Bring along any cash or cheque donations
• Coffee from Tim Hortons will be ready to go
• Burgers from Bayside Restaurant will be ready upon your arrival from your hike
• Dress for the weather—it’s looking good, but being by the lake, there will likely be a breeze
• You can download a copy of the itinerary and add your loved one’s photo to the “Who Are You Hiking For?” album online at https://nsmhpcn.ca/h4h

Thank you for being part of something so meaningful. We can’t wait to see everyone out there!

05/01/2026

We are SO close we can feel it… 💙

Thanks to the incredible support of our community, the 2026 Hike for Hospice has reached an amazing milestone — we are 97% of the way to our goal!

So far, we’ve raised $63,096 of our $65,000 target.

Let that sink in for a moment. Every dollar represents compassion. Every donation reflects someone choosing to support comfort, dignity, and care for individuals and families when they need it most.

This doesn’t happen without you.

To our hikers, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters — thank you. Your generosity is what makes hospice care possible in our community. You are helping ensure that no one faces end-of-life alone, and that families receive the care, support, and compassion they deserve.

Now we’re in the final stretch.

We’re just $1,904 away from our goal — and we know we can get there together.

If you’ve been thinking about donating, now is the moment. If you’ve already given, consider sharing the campaign with your friends and family to help push us across the finish line.

Let’s finish strong and make 2026 our most impactful year yet.

Donate today and help us reach 100%: https://give.charityvillage.com/H.4.H.2026

Together, we hike. Together, we care. 💙

05/01/2026

We’re so excited to see everyone this Sunday at our annual Hike for Hospice! If you missed our recent posts with tips for making the most of your day, be sure to check them out at Hike for Hospice, Orillia On and come prepared for a fun and meaningful experience.

👕 Hiker Info: T-Shirt Pick-Up

We’ve had a few questions about picking up team shirts ahead of the event, and wanted to share a quick update to help things run smoothly on Hike day!

All Hike for Hospice t-shirts will be distributed individually at the T-Shirt Station. This means each participant will receive their own shirt when they arrive, rather than one person picking up shirts for the whole team.

This process helps our team ensure that everyone is checked in properly and receives the correct size.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation—and we can’t wait to see you all wearing your shirts with pride on Sunday! 💙

04/30/2026

At this week’s staff meeting, we were proud to come together in support of North Simcoe Victim Services and their Smile Cookie campaign.

Thanks to the generosity of NSMHPCN and Hospice, our team had the opportunity to enjoy some delicious cookies while contributing to an important cause that supports individuals and families in times of crisis.

It was a small but meaningful way to show our collective commitment to compassion and community care.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to lift each other up and support vital services across North Simcoe.