BC Hospice Palliative Care

08/08/2025

🌿 Dying to Know Day — August 8 🌿

Today, on Dying to Know Day, we join the international movement to open up honest, compassionate conversations about death, dying, and grief. This important day, initiated by the Global Home Funeral Alliance, invites all of us to plan ahead, share our wishes, and build a culture of care around life’s final journey.

Talking about death isn’t easy, but it’s vital. By normalizing these conversations, we reduce stigma, empower informed decision-making, and strengthen compassionate, person-centred care across British Columbia and the Yukon.

Across our province and territory, local hospice societies play a crucial role in this work, offering support, education, and comfort to individuals and families before, during, and after end-of-life. They are at the heart of creating communities where these conversations can happen with openness and care.

💙 Let’s continue to break down barriers, normalize dialogue, and support each other with dignity, empathy, and respect.

07/30/2025

📣 Office Closure – BC Day

In honour of British Columbia Day, the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association office will be closed on Monday, August 4, 2025, and will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

As we take this time to rest and reflect, we acknowledge the importance of compassionate care and the communities across BC working tirelessly to support those facing serious illness, grief, and loss.

Wishing you a peaceful long weekend. 💙🌿

07/28/2025

Celebrating 40 Years & Welcoming New Leadership 🌿

On July 17, 2025, BCHPCA held its Annual General Meeting and 40th Anniversary Celebration virtually via Zoom. During our 40th anniversary celebration, we were honoured to be joined by Parliamentary Secretary Susie Chant and MLA & Health Critic Anna Kindy, recognizing 40 years of hospice palliative care across BC and the Yukon. We were also joined by Courtney Eso who shared a story about her father and accessing hospice palliative care.

We also welcomed new board members who bring deep experience and dedication from across the sector, volunteering their time to help lead BCHPCA into the future and a heartfelt thank you to our outgoing board members, and congratulations to our new and returning leaders:

✨ Board Updates:
Natasha Girard – President
Donna Flood – Vice President
Kevin Harter – Past President
Shannon Pintwala – Director-at-Large
Debbie Butt – Provincial Regional Director
Christine Colbert – Vancouver Island Regional Director

All of our board members volunteer their time and expertise to champion hospice palliative care across the region.

We’re excited to move forward with our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, which will guide us in advancing public awareness, strengthening member support, advocating for sector priorities, and embedding equity, inclusion, and sustainability in everything we do.

2025-2027 Strategic Plan and 2024 Annual Report
🔗www.bchpca.org/Strategic-Plan-Annual-Reports

Missed the celebration?
Watch our 40th Anniversary Tribute Video:
🔗https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9NbzQs8P7U

06/26/2025

🇨🇦 Canada Day Office Closure 🇨🇦

Please note that the BCHPCA office will be closed on Tuesday, July 1 in observance of Canada Day.

We wish everyone a safe and reflective holiday as we honour the diverse histories and cultures that shape this land.

We'll resume regular office hours on Wednesday, July 2.

06/20/2025

🌿 National Indigenous Peoples Day | June 21 2025 🌿

On June 21, we honour and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island.

At the BC Hospice and Palliative Care Association, we are committed to advancing equitable, culturally safe, and community-led hospice palliative care that honours Indigenous ways of knowing, healing, and grieving.

We recognize that access to care is not equal—and that meaningful reconciliation includes listening, learning, and working alongside Indigenous communities to ensure that everyone, everywhere, can experience comfort, dignity, and support at the end of life.

🧡 We raise our hands in gratitude to the Elders, Knowledge Keepers, caregivers, and communities who guide this important work.

06/04/2025

👵🏽 Seniors’ Week 2025 | Honouring Strength, Supporting Wellbeing 💙

This week, we celebrate the wisdom, resilience, and contributions of older adults across British Columbia — and we reaffirm our shared responsibility to ensure they live with dignity, respect, and the care they deserve.

At BCHPCA, we know that quality of life matters at every age and every stage. Hospice palliative care isn’t just about end-of-life — it’s about helping people live as fully and comfortably as possible, for as long as possible.

From rural communities to urban centres, hospice teams across BC and the Yukon provide whole-person care that supports aging in place, family connection, and compassionate companionship.

🌿 Together, we’re creating communities where older adults are respected, supported, and able to thrive.

Thank you to for championing the voices of older adults across the province.

05/26/2025

As King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne tomorrow, his first as reigning monarch in Canada, we're reminded of the deep roots hospice and palliative care have in the UK and across the Commonwealth.

In the UK, hospice palliative care is widely recognized as a core health service, integrated, valued, and often publicly funded.

We’re watching with hope that themes of aging with dignity, end-of-life care, grief and bereavement and support for seniors and families will be reflected in Canada’s priorities too.

Let’s all tune in and listen.

📺 Watch the Speech from the Throne | May 27, 2025
🕘 Time 11:00 am EST → canada.ca



Read more: https://conta.cc/4kBdWNG

Email from BC Hospice Palliative Care Association   King Charles Visit - Canada Strong     As King Charles III delivers the Speech from the Throne tomorrow, his first as reigning monarch in Canada, w

05/23/2025

May 25, 2025 – Proclaimed Bereavement Day in British Columbia 🕊️

Today, we pause to acknowledge the profound journey of grief and bereavement. Bereavement Day is a time to support those mourning the loss of loved ones, people, and community and to recognize grief as a natural, though often challenging, part of life.

In 2024, over 43,000 deaths occurred in British Columbia. For every person who dies, it’s estimated that 8 to 9 others are deeply affected by grief, a number that can double in Indigenous and multicultural communities due to intergenerational ties, kinship systems, and communal caregiving roles.

That means more than 350,000 British Columbians may have been impacted by loss last year alone and many of them are silently seeking support.

Grief can be isolating, especially when compounded by stigma surrounding certain types of loss. Let’s come together to offer compassion, understanding, and support to those navigating this difficult path.

🔗 For resources and support, visit: https://bchpca.org/Bereaved

05/15/2025

🇨🇦 Happy Victoria Day from BCHPCA! 🌼

As we mark this long weekend, we invite you to take a moment to rest, recharge, and connect with the people and places that bring you comfort.

In observance of Victoria Day, our office will be closed on Monday, May 19.
Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, May 20.

Wishing you a peaceful and restorative holiday.

— The BCHPCA Team

05/12/2025

🌿 Celebrating Nurses During National Nursing Week 🌿

Did you know?
Over 400,000 regulated nurses work across Canada, many of whom are central to delivering compassionate, holistic hospice palliative care.*

By 2030, BC’s and Yukon's 75+ population will grow by up to 64% , making the role of hospice palliative care nurses more vital than ever.

This National Nursing Week, we honour the dedication, expertise, and empathy of nurses—key members of the interdisciplinary teams that support individuals and families through serious illness, dying, death, and bereavement.

Nurses provide more than medical care—they offer comfort, advocate for dignity, and hold space for hope and healing. Whether in homes, hospitals, hospices, or communities, their impact is profound and deeply felt.

At BCHPCA, we stand with nurses across BC and Yukon and celebrate their essential role in advancing access to quality hospice palliative care for all.

💙 To every nurse: thank you for your skill, your heart, and the care you provide. You are truly the backbone of compassionate care.

and Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association, thank you for championing the voice and value of nurses across the country.



*Resource: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/nursing-practice/the-practice-of-nursing/nursing-statistics

05/08/2025

📢 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

British Columbians and Yukoners are invited to take part in this year’s Hike for Hospice, a national event that supports compassionate end-of-life care in local communities.

Thousands walk each year to honour loved ones, raise vital funds, and ensure hospice palliative care is available close to home.

📍 Read the full release and find out how to get involved: www.bchpca.org/hike-for-hospice-palliative-care

05/06/2025

🌼 Honouring Caregivers During National Caregiver Month 🌼

Did you know?
Over 1 million youth aged 15 to 24 in Canada are estimated to provide caregiving support*

This National Caregiver Month, we celebrate and acknowledge the essential role of caregivers — the family members, friends, and loved ones who offer unwavering support to those facing serious illness and end-of-life journeys.

Caregivers are the heart of hospice palliative care, providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support day in and day out. Their compassion, resilience, and love are vital to the well-being and dignity of the individuals they care for.

At BCHPCA, we recognize the tremendous impact caregivers have across BC and Yukon. We remain committed to advocating for greater support systems, resources, and respite care to ensure no caregiver walks this path alone.

💙 To every caregiver: thank you for your strength, your sacrifices, and the difference you make every single day. Your care matters deeply.

, thank you for your incredible work in supporting family caregivers across the province.



*Resource:https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/An-At-A-Glance-Guide-for-Healthcare-Providers-3.pdf