Our History
The Brockville and District Hospice Palliative Care Service does not receive funding through the Provincial Health Care funding envelope.
The Service originated in 1979 under the auspices of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul (Brockville, St. Vincent de Paul Hospital). It has become a cherished and exemplary community service with high standards of care within an innovative model, and an educational model for other palliative care programs.
In 1983 a man with a young family lost his wife due to cancer, and he wanted to thank the Service for the care and support his wife and family had received. He talked over an idea with a group of friends from the community and that idea became the Palliative Care Services Telethon, Brockville. Local TV and Media and the Brockville Musicians Association embraced the idea and in 1984 the first telethon benefiting palliative care services became a reality. Local and district community groups and volunteers came together in support of this first-time endeavour. Out of a family’s grief came a major independent community fund-raiser for palliative care services at the local hospitals with over $2.4-million dollars raised in its 28 year history. We will never forget the original “friends” and the hundreds of volunteers and supporters who made it happen.
It has been said that Volunteerism is the willingness of people to work on behalf of others without the expectation of pay or other tangible gain. Volunteers may have special training, but the majority work on an impromptu basis, recognizing a need and filling it. It is estimated that over 7000 volunteers from our communities have contributed time and expertise to the Telethon.