OTTAWA, April 30 - Hospice palliative care - What does it mean to you? What does it mean to your family? During National Hospice Palliative Care Week, May 2nd to 8th, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is encouraging all Canadians to discover their voices, share their experiences, and talk about what hospice palliative care means to them.

"Hospice palliative care is about seeing someone with a life limiting illness as a living person, not a dying patient. It is about adding life to days and supporting the caregivers, family and friends," says Peter Mansbridge, Honorary Chair of the National Hospice Palliative Care Week. He continues, "I am in awe of the extraordinary care, compassion and understanding provided by the hospice palliative care community. I will never forget the incredible kindness and care that was given to my mother."

"Many Canadians do not understand what hospice palliative care is, and how it can benefit them and their loved ones," explained Wendy Wainwright, President, CHPCA. She continued, "Quality hospice palliative care offers a flexible set of services. It includes physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical support to people with life-threatening illnesses, and to their families. It focuses on what people need and want at any given time, both prior to death and during bereavement."

"This year our theme focuses on encouraging Canadians to begin sharing their experiences and talking about hospice palliative care. We want to help break down the barriers of understanding of what hospice palliative care is, and how it can benefit Canadians." Added Sharon Baxter, Executive Director, CHPCA.

Stories can be powerful tools to give hope and inspire others. The CHPCA encourages you and others to share a story, an experience or a thought with Canada and the world by visiting the CHPCA website athttp://www.chpca.net/events/stories-eng.html.

National Hospice Palliative Care Week is coordinated by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Funding for National Hospice Palliative Care Week is provided by The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, Health Canada, and Valeant Canada Limited.

The CHPCA is the national voice for hospice palliative care in Canada. Advancing and advocating for quality hospice palliative end-of-life care, its work includes public policy, public education and awareness. Established in 1991, its volunteer Board of Directors is composed of hospice palliative care workers and volunteers from Canadian provinces and territories as well as members-at-large.

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For further information: Jennifer Kavanagh, Communications Officer, Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, Telephone: 1-800-668-2785 ext. 229, E-mail: jkavanagh@bruyere.org; Linda Truglia, Project Coordinator (National Hospice Palliative Care Week), Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, Telephone: 1-800-668-2785 ext. 228, E-mail: ltruglia@bruyere.org