Dear Friend,

When I think about the true meaning of the holiday season, joy and the laughter of loved ones fill my mind. However for some who are facing the challenges and realities of living with a life limiting illness or grieving the loss of a loved one, celebrating the holiday season can bring a mix of emotions.

Most of us share a common hope, that when we are confronted by a life-threatening illness we will be surrounded by those we love, feeling safe, comfortable and cared for. This is a difficult time, and no one should face it alone. This is the message we send through the Philip Aziz Centre, a community based Hospice.

Our trained volunteers and staff visit homes weekly, providing practical, spiritual, emotional and respite support, helping to make a difficult life journey more meaningful and manageable for both people facing death as well as their loved ones.

Each Christmas, with the financial support of friends like you, we are able to host a party for all our HIV positive families, children and individuals and distribute gifts and provide a warm Christmas dinner. For our families living with cancer and other life threatening illnesses who are in need of assistance this time of the year, we provide gifts and grocery vouchers.

We also continue our in-home and hospital visiting throughout the holidays as serious illness sadly does not take a break. Families will have volunteer(s) support, allowing caregivers a break, knowing their loved one is well cared for. A volunteer may be the only friendly visit someone who is alone receives this season.

At this special time of the year, I am asking you to please consider a financial investment in the work of Philip Aziz Centre. Together we can continue to provide compassionate, in-home hospice palliative care for adults and children needing our support.

Your gift today will be a wonderful way of saying you remember those who are ill and grieving.

Thank you for caring, thank you for giving. Happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas.

Gratefully yours,

Rauni Salminen