The Gilkyson’s Story
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is so proud to be chosen as a 2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon National Charity for their RUN4HOPE charity program. With the support of our charity runners, we can continue to provide specialized paediatric palliative care for BC children and families like the Gilkysons.
Greg and Nancy Gilkyson were over the moon to welcome their second child to the world, but after a complicated labour they were informed that their newborn baby girl, Stella Marie, had been deprived of oxygen for nearly an hour. Upon learning that their daughter would not be able to breathe on her own, the Gilkysons made the decision to move Stella to Canuck Place for end-of-life care – a decision they will be thankful for for the rest of their lives.
“Canuck Place made the unimaginable a really beautiful experience,” Karen recalls. “Stella Marie left this world peacefully and we believe that it is because of Canuck Place that she truly got to feel how much she was loved, without the interruption of a hospital environment.”
After Stella had passed, Greg and Nancy were able to work through their grief with the help of Canuck Place counsellors. “The counsellors helped us see the beauty in life and in death and to really cherish the moments that we are given and the importance of family. We are forever grateful for all that Canuck Place did and continues to do for us.”
Canuck Place is BC’s recognized pediatric palliative care provider, delivering quality care in the areas of respite and family support, 24-hour province-wide phone consultation and in-house clinical care, pain and symptom management, art and education, recreation therapy, grief and loss counselling including music and play therapy, and end-of-life care to over 500 children and families facing life-threatening illnesses
across the province. By running for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, you will be building courage for families like the Gilkysons and so many more. We look forward to cheering on our BMO Vancouver Marathon Courage Builders in May 2014.
How to become a Canuck Place Children’s Hospice Charity Runner
Register to be a Canuck Place Children’s Hospice charity runner here Run & Fundraise For Us
As a Canuck Place Children’s Hospice Charity Runner, participants commit to raising a minimum of $500. Canuck Place Children’s Hospice directly supports our runners to help make your fundraising a success. Charity runners will be contacted by Canuck Place with fundraising details soon after registration.
Please join us in making a fundamental difference in the lives of children and families!
Become a Charity Runner today
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Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
Provides palliative and respite care services for sick children in BC, Canada
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is British Columbia’s paediatric palliative care provider, delivering care to over 450 children, teens and families facing life-threatening illnesses across the province. The unique program offers respite and family support, pain and symptom management, 24-hour province-wide phone consultation and in-house clinical care, art and education, recreation therapy, grief and loss counselling including music and play therapy, and end-of-life care. With caring, professional staff and over 300 volunteers, it is a place for children and families to come in their greatest time of need.
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