Trudy Demorest poses with Janette and Trish Van Vianen. The trio showed off their costumes ahead of the Hike for Hospice in Oliver on May 1. Photo by Trevor Nichols
More than 100 people came together across two communities May 1 to raise money for the Desert Valley Hospice Society.
Hike for Hospice took place in both Oliver and Osoyoos, and saw volunteers from both towns embark on a short hike to raise both awareness and money for the group.
Ken Clarke, the president of the Desert Valley Hospice Society, said the event is one of their biggest fundraisers, bringing in more than $10,000 last year.
In a speech before the Oliver hike, Executive Director Tracy MacFadden told the crowd that through the fundraiser the society would be able to help many, many people end their lives in comfort.
“We all have the right to die with dignity, and we’re making that possible for the people of Oliver and Osoyoos,” she said, before accepting a $1,000 donation from the Kiwanis Club of Oliver.
In Osoyoos, Clarke pointed out the society is much more than simply their respite centre, and through the work of its volunteers it’s helping keep the community strong.
“When we think of a hospice society we often think of a hospice house [where] one can die with dignity. But hospice is about more—it’s never been about the beds—it’s about our trained, compassionate volunteers who support clients and families through the palliative journey.
“It really does take all of us working together to make our communities a great place to live; to raise a family and work, play and live out our retirement. And, though we don’t like to think about it, a place where we can live out our remaining days when that time comes.”
According to Clarke, the society has 30 trained hospice volunteers, who have taken 30 hours of training plus six hours of practical service, as well as many more who still help out but don’t have the same level of training.
In 2015 those volunteers logged more than 1,800 volunteers hours (up from 1300 in 2014), and 450 of those hours were given to provide respite and end of life support and companionship with clients.
The remaining hours are given to support various programs.
While end of life care is a serious and often grave topic, the society kept its fundraiser light. In Oliver it encouraged participants to dress up in costumes from the “tickle trunk,” and held a brief Zumba class before they set off.
“We have to make it fun. It’s serious business, but we can’t take it too seriously,” Sue Capyk said.
The participants seemed to appreciate it.
“I totally believe in the cause and the purpose,” hiker Delores Brisbois said as she and her friends rounded the home stretch at the end of the hike.
“It’s a great fundraiser,” Bonni Sueinson added, before the team continued on their trek, laughing heartily.
By Trevor Nichols
