Kitchener, ON – On Sunday, September 27, Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice – in partnership with Rogers TV Channel 20 – aired a live, four-hour telethon to raise funds critically required for us to continue to deliver the high-level palliative care services we are known for in the region. We set an ambitious goal of $100,000, and we are very pleased to share that we surpassed our goal by $9,000!
We recognize this is no small accomplishment, and we know we couldn’t have achieved this level of success without the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and partners in the community, as well as the time and talent of our committed team of volunteers.
Why a Telethon?
COVID-19 has taken a toll on fundraising overall this year, and Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice is not immune to the collateral impacts the pandemic has had on not-for-profit organizations. We typically hold two signature fundraising events each year – our Hike for Hospice, held in June, went virtual for the first time ever due to COVID, and we raised over $80,000.
Our annual Hearts for Hospice Gala, originally planned for September, had to also be transformed into a virtual event. Our committee visualized an event that would be exciting, engaging, and compelling, in order to encourage donations – and with those ideals in mind, the concept of holding a telethon materialized. And because 2020 is a milestone year for us with Lisaard House in Cambridge celebrating 20 years of service, and Innisfree House in Kitchener celebrating its fifth anniversary, what better way to celebrate “everything old is new again” than to throw back to a time when telethons dominated days of airtime on television?
Our Story
While it may be difficult to talk about – or even consider – death is actually a normal part of life. When given choices about their end of life journey, a growing number of palliative patients in our community express similar wishes – to be comfortable, surrounded by family, and treated with dignity and care.
Hospice care is not designed to hasten death, but rather to help patients live the remainder of their lives as fully as possible. Patients choosing hospice care typically have a life expectancy of three months or less and have made the decision, along with their doctor and family, to replace cure goals with comfort or palliative goals. Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice offer a tranquil alternative for residents whose death is approaching, and we support patients and their loved ones through the end-of-life journey.
As the only residential hospice in the region for the past 20 years, Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice is committed to Making Moments Matter for our residents by providing attention above and beyond what would typically be expected. No resident’s wish is too big or small for us to help try to fulfil, from a quiet visit with a therapy dog, singing a favourite song with our music therapist, conferring with our spiritual care practitioner, to arranging a Skype call between a superfan and rock legend Gene Simmons.
And we do it all with no cost to patients or their families.
Our fundraising events are vitally important for us to continue to provide the level of end-of-life care and support upon which our reputation is built, and we are thrilled that our first-ever telethon was met with such enthusiasm and support from our community. Andrea Binkle, Executive Director, Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice, states, “We worked very hard to put together a meaningful program that showcased stories about the work we do in balance with information and entertainment. We’re delighted that it seemed to resonate well, and we are so grateful for the support we received. It will go a long way towards our mission of ‘Making Moments Matter’ for our residents and their families.”
About Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice
Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice strives to bridge the gap between institutional care facilities and home care. Since 2000, Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice has provided compassionate, tranquil care for patients who don’t want to spend their final days in hospital, but require more support than can be delivered at home. Our care goals are aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of living and dying for those diagnosed with life-limiting illness. To learn more about Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice, visit lisaardandinnisfree.com.
Media Contact
Andrea Binkle, Executive Director
Lisaard and Innisfree Hospice
519.208.5055 ext. 266
abinkle@lisaardandinnisfree.com
