The ongoing efforts to build a hospice in Airdrie got a shot in the arm yesterday (May 5) at the annual Hike for Hospice event held at East Lake Park.

Many people, including Mayor Peter Brown and MLA Blake Richards, turned out for the day in support of the Airdrie and District Hospice Society.  President Lise Blanchette talked about what a hospice would mean to Airdrie.  

"No one likes to talk about death but we all have to face that, either for ourselves, or family members, or friends and they need our support at end of life.  Going into a hospice doesn't speed up death, it actually gives quality of life and it gives family peace of mind.  It should be as accessible in Airdrie as it is in Calgary."

According to Blanchette, the hospice society has just set a date for their "Imagine Conference" that will allow community members to discuss the need for a hospice in the city and give their feedback to Alberta Health Services.

"It's June 15th in the Rotary Room at Genesis Place.  It's to discuss rural hospice.  We've got a coalition going.  We're going to be speaking about a number of key things.  We'd like as many people as possible to give Alberta Health Services input because we do have a lot of concerns about access in our community.  We're just not going to get that hospice if we don't have their support.  We're trying to get as many community leaders as possible to attend.  We're just finalizing the agenda and we're hoping to have at least 100 people participate."

Blanchette says the money raised from the Hike for Hospice would be going into the building fund as well as helping support community initiatives. 

While yesterday's event was primarily to raise funds, it was also meant to raise awareness of hospice care, something Blanchette believes is just as important.  "The awareness is very important.  People don't know what hospice is.  Hospice is totally about peace of mind and quality of life for those going through end of life.  It's also about, in our community, not having to drive to Calgary in a state of grief worrying about our family and what's going to happen next."

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com