Canuck Place Children’s Hospice provides compassionate care for children with life-threatening illnesses, offering medical support and emotional comfort to both the children and their families. Their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for these young patients is truly inspiring to the entire team at Axis Insurance.
Axis Insurance is proud to support Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, sponsoring the Gift of Time Gala since 2017.
ALEX MEIER, president & CEO, Axis Insurance
The Origins of a Visionary Hospice
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice has its roots in a vision conceived by Vancouver nurse Brenda Eng in 1988. Inspired by Brenda’s dream to create North America’s first children’s hospice, a group of dedicated individuals came together to develop an innovative model of care. Their efforts, combined with the support of a rallying community, brought this vision to life.
The initiative garnered significant backing from notable entities such as The Vancouver Canucks Hockey Club, the Griffiths family, The Vancouver Sun, Variety – The Children’s Charity, Loewen Group, and TELUS, alongside numerous public and private donors. The City of Vancouver’s generous lease of Glen Brae Manor provided a home for the hospice, which officially opened its doors in 1995. Today, Canuck Place stands as the first free-standing hospice in North America and a globally recognized leader in pediatric palliative care.
Holistic Care and Support for Children
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice offers a holistic approach to pediatric palliative care, addressing the diverse needs of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. With two locations in Vancouver and Abbotsford, Canuck Place provides a wide range of services including pain and symptom management to ensure comfort and relief for children experiencing severe symptoms. They also offer medical respite, which provides temporary relief for primary caregivers, allowing them to rest and recharge. Additionally, the hospice enhances the quality of life through education and art, music, and recreation therapy. End-of-life care is provided with compassionate support during the final stages of life, and grief and bereavement counseling is available to assist families through the emotional aftermath of loss.
Through collaboration, education, and research, Canuck Place leads the way in providing interdisciplinary clinical care in hospices, community hospitals, and even in the homes of families.
All of the hospice’s services are provided at no cost to families, thanks to the generous contributions from corporate, community, and government partners, such as Axis Insurance.
A Gift of Time Gala
Every year, the hospice hosts their “Gift of Time Gala”, which Axis is thrilled to support and participate.
This year, the gala is taking place on November 2nd, 2024 at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, promising an evening dedicated to celebrating the incredible work of Canuck Place and the profound impact it has on families facing unimaginable challenges, while raising awareness and support for the hospice.
For our CEO, Alex, the sponsorship of Canuck Place is more than just a corporate responsibility; it is a deeply personal commitment. Reflecting on the significance of the Gift of Time Gala, Alex shares, “When I hear the phrase ‘Gift of Time,’ it means giving back to the families so they can spend precious time with their loved ones. As a father, I have empathy for what the families are going through, and it is important to support them during these difficult times. I am proud to be a sponsor of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.”
Alex’s words resonate with the core mission of Canuck Place – to provide not just care, but time, love, and support to families when they need it the most.
Looking Ahead
As we approach the upcoming Gift of Time Gala, we are reminded of the incredible work done by Canuck Place and the vital role that sponsorships and community support play in their mission.
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice makes a significant impact on the lives of children and families facing life-threatening illnesses throughout BC and Yukon, and our entire team at Axis Insurance is deeply aware, supportive, and engaged in the hospice’s continued success, championed by our CEO, Alex Meier.
Join us in supporting Canuck Place Children’s Hospice; whether through volunteering, or making a donation, every contribution helps to ensure that Canuck Place can continue to provide essential care and support to those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference and give the most precious gift of all – the gift of time.
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