I am writing to you today to ask you for help with a great need in our community. 

Each and every day a person is given a palliative end-of-life diagnosis. This is scary. They feel as though they are alone with no one and nowhere to turn. 

By making a donation today, you can ensure a unique and dignified end-of-life care experience will be provided at no cost to the family. Will you give today? 

“All the money in the world couldn’t buy the expertise and support the hospice provided. I don’t know where I would be without it.”

DONATE TODAY!

 

 By donating, you can help someone like Teresa who was facing the death of her husband, Jason. Here is her story. 

One of the things Teresa Melton loved most about her husband, Jason Yohemas, was the ease he went through life. She was so proud of his career, sports, activities, and roles as a parent and husband. He didn’t sweat the small stuff. 

“I truly believe they broke the mold with Jason. He was funny, smart, kind, accepting and forgiving. A brilliant man.” 

The couple loved cycling, travelling together, having adventures and curling up on the couch watching Netflix. For Emmett and Cierra, their nine-year-old twins, special memories of their fun-loving dad include barracuda fishing in Belize, spinning loops on the sea-doo in Kelowna, and him being a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. During Covid, Jason taught them math. 

“Even though his life was cut short, he loved us for a lifetime.” 

Jason received a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer when he was only 51. He fought the illness for 17 months but as the disease progressed, challenges grew for both Jason and Teresa, including his inability to walk or do daily activities by himself. 
 

 When you’re told there are no more treatments, there’s a big gap until the end of life. A palliative care nurse informed Jason and Teresa that Pilgrims Hospice Society could be self-referred. For the family, the experience was life changing. 

Teresa took a lot of pride in caring for Jason and cherished helping him stay in the home he loved. Heartbreakingly, there came a time when her own body was just not strong enough to lift him anymore. It was only at that point that Teresa reached out for further help. 

“In hindsight, maybe we waited too long. Once Jason was settled in the hospice, we felt nothing but relief.” 

The comfortable and welcoming Roozen Family Hospice Centre became their “home away from home” – a place where family and friends felt at ease. “The kids were allowed to be kids”, says Teresa, “to run wild, look for treats, and be as raw as raw can be”. 

Hard as it was for Teresa to give up control of Jason’s care, his first bath at the hospice was calm and relaxing, like a day at the spa – worlds apart from his last shower at home, which Teresa admits was risky, difficult, and ended in tears. 

“I thought I was doing a good job taking care of Jason at home, until I saw the dignity, professionalism, privacy and compassion shown to my husband at the hospice.” 

Because of donors like you, Teresa was able to just be Jason’s wife – and a mom when her kids needed her. “I felt so comfortable being at the hospice, having afternoons without visitors and curling up with Jason for naps on the bed. We’d never have done that at home, there was just too much to do.” 

On the day that Jason died, the family went to see him one last time. Emmett and Cierra were able to jump in bed and sit next to daddy, while staff pushed his bed through the hallways and into the courtyard for a popsicle. It was there that Jason took his last breaths, outside in the sunshine. 

“I felt so close to the nurse who was with me at that intimate moment, like she was a best friend, as well as someone whoknew what to do medically.” 

Teresa is full of gratitude for donors like you. “My family is so lucky that this building came to be, helping individuals and families through one of the hardest times they’ll ever experience.” 

It means the world that you make it possible to provide services that are free of charge and available to everyone. 

“I can honestly say Pilgrims was a life-saver for me and my family – and still is.” 

Jason’s story was possible because of donors like you. Another family needs your help. A family who is full of fear of the unknown. Can you imagine the distress this family is feeling not knowing if their loved one was going to get the help they needed? 

Your donation can make a family feel confident that their loved one is receiving the respect, comfort and compassion they deserve in a home-like setting. Your donation today will help immediately. 

If you have already made a gift – THANK YOU – it is truly appreciated. 

Thank you for reading this. On behalf of the Residents and their loved ones, staff and volunteers, we are so grateful for your generosity.