Since 2012, South West District Palliative Care (SWDPC) has donated $107,795 to their region for the purchase of high priority equipment like lifts, IV pumps, pressure relief mattresses, recliners, sleep chairs, a double electric bed and Stryker power ambulance stretchers.

Tammie-Lee Rogowski, Clinical Team Manager Palliative Care and Home Care Nursing Services for the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority says SWDPC’s compassion and concern is greatly admired.

“The South West District Palliative Care Board continues to be supportive and involved with the IERHA Palliative Care Program. The donations from the board are used to make positive impacts in our yearly children’s grief camp, Camp Stepping Stones, and in the care of clients, family members, and volunteers under the IERHA Palliative Care Program,” says Rogowski.

Doris Hunter, chair of SWDPC says all this would not be possible without the support of the community as the organization is completely dependent on community donations and fundraisers.

“It is because of the generosity of our local communities that we can support end of life patients and provide specialized equipment for their comfort in our communities,” says Hunter.

Pamela McCallum, executive director of the Interlake-Eastern Health Foundation is grateful for the support from SWDPC over the years.

“Raising over $107,000 for the purchase of equipment and supplies over seven years is an incredible accomplishment,” says McCallum, “We are so lucky to receive the endless support from SWDPC and are excited to work on future projects with them.”

The first SWDPC board was formed in 1997, when 11 concerned community members gathered together because of a common mission to support palliative care in the towns of Stonewall and Teulon and the Rural Municipalities of Rockwood, Rosser and Woodlands. SWDPC continues to fundraise for specialized equipment, education, and volunteer support. There are a few staple fundraisers throughout the year including Hike for Hospice (May), Golf Tournament (June in conjunction with Interlake Community Foundation), Gala (November), and Memory Tree (December).

For more information on SWDPC please visit www.facebook.com/swdpc or contact Jen at s.w.d.p.c@hotmail.com. To see how the foundation benefits the region’s residents, visit the Interlake-Eastern Health Foundation on Facebook, the website at www.iehf.ca or contact Pamela McCallum at pmccallum@ierha.ca.

Photo from L to R standing: Maureen Tully, Lois Borkowsky, Nancy Dumas, Betty Taylor, Karen Sorenson, Liz Harkness, Carol Morgan, Sandra Smith, and Lori Schellekens.

Sitting: Chuck McLure, Doris Hunter, Doug Pickell, George Willis, and Jennifer Beirnes.

Missing: Margaret Medwid.