The Squamish Hospice Society has officially changed its name to the Sea to Sky Hospice Society to better reflect the corridor that is served. 

Please check out the new website: SeatoSkyHospiceSociety.ca

Our year to date has been exciting even with the unexpected turn of events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been undergoing a rebranding, changing our society name from the Squamish Hospice Society to the Sea to Sky Hospice Society. This name change reflects our mission: to promote and provide compassionate care for all Sea to Sky residents with life limiting illness and ongoing support for their loved ones. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also presented us with opportunities. While we have had to suspend in person volunteer visits we have also initiated telephone and online bereavement support, which we hope will allow us to access a broader audience. A huge thanks to all of our volunteers who have remained engaged and are eager to continue in these important roles. We also hosted our 14th annual Hike for Hospice, the first in a virtual format. Once again, our amazing community supporters came out, did a socially distanced hike or walk and helped raise funds for Hospice programs. 
Board members have adapted to the changes and we have all brushed up our zoom skills.

Collectively we are updating our society by-laws, creating a new and improved website for the society and planning for future fundraising and community engagement opportunities.  We also had the opportunity to present a hospice update at a recent Squamish Lillooet Regional District board meeting. We said a sad farewell to one of our board members, Marion Biln. Marion has been a tireless advocate for hospice care and the society. Her hard work and dedication will be missed. In her absence we are excited that Nancy Edwards has stepped onto the board. She brings a wealth of community connections and governance experience. Our upcoming AGM will be held in October as usual and will likely be a virtual format. Stay tuned for more details.

The Hospice gardens look better than ever thanks to the rain and countless hours of volunteer work led by Dr. Judith Fothergill. Generous donations of time, labour and supplies from Ken Rhodes of High Country Landscaping have helped to turn the garden into a sanctuary for hospice patients and families. There are plans to further develop the garden area with a gazebo and memorial pavers to offer remembrance of our departed loved ones.

Thank you to all our members and community supporters for being there through the good and the not-so-good times. Best wishes for the summer as we navigate through these uncertain times.

Hospice in a Changed World

This past year brought with it excitement and expanded services with the opening of the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Sea to Sky Community Hospice. In collaboration with Vancouver Coastal Health the Sea to Sky Hospice Society offers programming and support to patients, families and the Hospice team. These new supports include:

• Volunteer visiting and support for patients and families
• Provision of Comfort Care items for patients and families including coffee, teas and snacks, bathroom necessities, as well as books, games, puzzles and any other items that may be of support
• Sewing beautiful custom hospital gowns 
• With the support of both Squamish and Whistler Quilter Guilds providing beautiful quilts for each patient room
• Hospice Sitting Garden development and maintenance

As well, in alignment with our goal to support all Sea to Sky communities we offered our first bereavement groups in Whistler, the start of support for communities in the North.

With the onset of COVID-19 and subsequent health precautions, 2020 has proven to be a challenging year for many individuals, communities, organizations and non-profits. In our effort to continuously grow, adapt and evolve, the Sea to Sky Hospice Society shifted our programming to support out clients in the best way we can. This year we offered our first online bereavement drop in groups, online one on one counselling, as well as continued to connect with patients and families dealing with life limiting illness through telephonic support.

How we connect and gather in the future remains uncertain but what is unwavering is the Sea to Sky Hospice Society's commitment to support people through life limiting illness and loss with compassion and connection.

Be sure to stay tuned to our social media (FB and Instagram) to stay up to date on our summer and fall programming and support services. 

COVID-19 Update

The Sea to Sky Hospice Society is working within Vancouver Coastal Health guidelines to re-establish hospice programs in support of our community members as we move cautiously into Phase 3. Through the first months of COVID 19, we were able to adapt our services and offer both Zoom Grief group meetings and telephonic support to caregivers and people living with life-limiting illnesses. Currently, our Bereavement Walk is once again up and running. While respecting physical distancing requirements, members of the community who are grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to join volunteers for this intentional and supportive time. The walking support group will meet between July 22 - August 19 at the Squamish Adventure Centre from 10:30-11:30 am. With guidance from the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation Sea to Sky Community Hospice Manager and following VCH protocols, we may see hospice unit visiting volunteers return to support patients and families in the coming weeks. As we look forward, the Sea to Sky Hospice Society is examining how we can adapt to meet the safety and support needs of our community members. If you have questions or in are in need of support please contact us at seatosky.hospice@vch.ca

We would like to give a big hand of applause to the many people that volunteer on behalf of the Sea to Sky Hospice.  The hospice is fortunate to have a dedicated group of individuals that commit their time to being on the board of directors, as well as the many volunteers that participate in the different committees, art, fundraising, gardening and hospice care.  We could not do it without you!

There are a number of ways you can be of service and support to the Sea to Sky Hospice Society: patient care, bereavement support, fundraising, gardening, office support are just a few.  If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer program please visit our volunteer page.
 

Other ways to help………….

The Sea to Sky Hospice Society receives no guaranteed funding from year to year and operates our programs with committed volunteers and community support through grants and donations.

If you or your organization wishes to support the Sea to Sky Hospice Society there are many ways to do so: donations, volunteering at a Hospice Event, hosting your own event and naming S2S as your charity of choice, LIKE us on Facebook and stay informed of our programs and services, become a member.  

If you would like to discuss other ways to support hospice and ensure end of life and bereavement support continue for those in need please call or email us at info@seatoskyhospicesociety.ca

In addition to the money raised from the Hike for Hospice event, the hospice has received a generous donation from the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for $10,000 as well as two other large donations from anonymous donors for $10,000 and $5,000 each.  Thank you for your support.

The Sea to Sky Hospice was also the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the District of Squamish for their programming earlier in the spring.