Industry
Leaders and Members from the Senate of Canada
Share
their Vision for Hospice Palliative Care
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(October 29, 2010 - Ottawa. ON) The face of hospice
palliative care is changing. The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care
Association (CHPCA) is pleased to announce the members of its
Champion's Council: A group of influential Canadians who have come
together as champions to advance the profile of hospice palliative
in Canada.
A passionate advocate for innovation in health care,
Mr. Russell Williams, President of Rx&D - Canada's
Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies and Chair of the Champion's
Council, shares his vision for the future of hospice palliative
care:
"Hospice palliative care is about dignity,
quality of life, comfort and courage. It's about seeing the
patient as a living person, not a dying patient," he explains. "By
speaking as a collective, we seek to call to action the Canadian
government, industries and the health care community to ensure that
all Canadians receive the quality of care and compassion that they
deserve at the end of life."
"In
order to harness energies we do not currently have in the current
hospice palliative care community and to reflect the diversity that
is Canada, the CHPCA has formed the Champion's
Council" explains Sharon Baxter, Executive Director of the
CHPCA.
The CHPCA is proud to announce the following
individuals as members of the Champions' Council:
�
Ms. Kathryn Butler Malette - Chief Human
Resources Officer, House of Commons of Canada
�
The Honourable Sharon Carstairs
- Senator, Senate of Canada
�
Mr. Paul Lucas - President & CEO,
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
�
The Honourable Michael MacDonald - Senator,
Senate of Canada
�
Mr. Michael Sangster - Vice-President,
Federal Government Relations, TELUS
�
Mr. Russell Williams - President, Rx&D
Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical
Companies
"Hospice and palliative care issues will have
profound impacts on society as more and more Canadians are in need
of these services," explains Michael Sangster, Champion's Council
member and Vice-President, Federal Government Relations, TELUS,
"Through the CHPCA, we will work with industry, politicians,
healthcare organizations and everyday Canadians to help move
forward changes that will benefit us all."
Members of the Champion's Council will be introduced
and speak to their vision for the future during the 2010 Canadian
Hospice Palliative Care Conference, An Evening in Support of
Hospice Palliative Care dinner event on Saturday October 30,
2010, at The Westin Hotel, Ottawa.
"Quality palliative care is the right of every
Canadian, yet not every Canadian can access these services at the
time they and their families need it the most. Combining this with
an aging population, the system is being stretched and tested as
never before," explains Ms. Baxter.
"Solutions are needed and the time to act is now,"
agrees Williams. "We are here to find alternatives and solutions
outside the everyday routine and create partnerships that can make
a difference."
The 2010 Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Conference:
Changing the National Perspective on Hospice Palliative Care
taking place from October 28 - 31, 2010, at The Westin Hotel, in
Ottawa, Ontario features presentations on providing high quality
end-of-life care in many settings, and on the challenges and
successes in helping Canadians move between settings and obtaining
the care they need at end of life.
-30-
For more information, attend the conference or to set
up an interview, please contact:
Jennifer Kavanagh
Communications Coordinator
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care
Association
E-mail: jkavanagh@bruyere.org
Phone: 613-241-3663 ext. 229 (until October 27, and
after November 3)
Cell phone: 613-882-5365 (October 28 to November 2
inclusive)
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