Townsend Smith Foundation
Donate

Build a Place Where Families can be together with Loved Ones

Oct 11, 2019 | Hospice, Palliative Care

Janet Townsend realized the need for a hospice when her husband Ron was diagnosed with lung cancer. “His wish was to die at home. However he also wanted us to know that should caring for him become too much physically and/or emotionally, he wanted to be placed in a hospice,” she said. Ron Townsend served as district chief of the Milton Fire Department.

There was no hospice in North Halton (Milton, or Halton Hills), or availability at other area hospices. The illness hit the family hard. “Our children Matt and Amy as well as daughter-in-law Tammy were unable
to have time with their father. Our grandson, Jake could not have time with his poppa. I did not have the time to be his wife. Those connections were lost and we all missed them so very much,” she said.

The friends and family of Tessie Smith, a local Tai Chi instructor had a similar idea. The two groups began working together and formed the Townsend Smith Foundation. “Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones as they begin their end-of-life journey in a gentle, dignified way. Everyone should be able to have that time together, to just be there for each other,” Townsend said.

The Townsend Smith Foundation is a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency. It is guided by a volunteer board of directors. The foundation has embarked on a capital campaign to fund the building, and equipment for a 10-bed residential hospice in North Halton.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

Oct 6, 2019 | Hospice, Palliative Care

On Saturday, October 12 2019, something extraordinary is going to happen.

People from around the world who have been impacted by a life-limiting illness — either personally or by supporting a loved one — will be making their voices heard, asking policy makers to pay attention to prioritize palliative care policies and services. Further, people who have been standing in solidarity with them — local leaders, volunteers, advocates, clinicians — will be volunteering their time to amplify this public message: Palliative Care: it’s “My Care, My Right.”

Full details please visit: http://www.thewhpca.org/about

A local hospice is a great blessing!

Oct 6, 2019 | Family Stories, Hospice, Palliative Care

When my husband, John, became palliative, we wanted to keep him at home.  However, as his illness progressed it became clear that this would be far more difficult than we imagined so we chose hospice care, a decision we never regretted.  The care he received 24/7 from first class medical staff, personal care workers and volunteers made John’s final weeks as contented as they could be in the circumstances.  This lifted a great burden from our family, as the  help we received at home could only cover a few hours per day. Since the hospice was a distance from home that presented me with a problem as I do not drive.  Family and friends were wonderful in giving rides, but last winter’s weather made the drive difficult, even impossible, some days.  I envied my sister in that the hospice where her husband was taken was only a few minutes away from home.  A local hospice is a great blessing! – Gloria

I Support Hospice Care for North Halton

Jul 28, 2019 | Family Stories, Hospice

“As a funeral director, I support hospice care for north Halton because I see firsthand how difficult it can be for family members to have to travel from home to either Oakville, Guelph or Burlington, on top of the emotional stress they are already under. I also see those who struggle to keep their family member at home, because there just isn’t space available. As an individual, I support hospice care for north Halton because should I ever need it myself, I want to know that there is a place for me close to home, to lighten the burden on my family.” — Rebecca Hunter

Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones

Jul 19, 2019 | Family Stories, Hospice, Palliative Care

“When my husband, Ron, was diagnosed with lung cancer, his wish was to die at home. However he also wanted us to know that should caring for him become too much physically and/or emotionally, he wanted to be placed in a hospice. Unfortunately, there was no hospice in Milton or Halton Hills and no availability elsewhere when the end came. This picture was taken shortly before Ron died. It was the last time we were all together as just family. From then on, we were his caregivers. Our children, Matt and Amy, as well as our daughter-in-law, Tammy, were unable to have time with their father. Our grandson, Jake, could not have time with his Poppa. I did not have the time to be his wife. Those connections were lost and we all missed them so very much. We realized then that a hospice was desperately needed in our community. Working together with friends and family of Tessie Smith the Townsend Smith Foundation was formed. Our goal is to build a place where families can be together with their loved ones as they begin their end-of-life journey in a gentle, dignified way. Everyone should be able to have that time together, to just be there for each other.” – Janet Townsend