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Hospice Palliative Care staff and volunteers gather with CBRM’s Mayor, Cecil Clarke, and Deputy Mayor, Eldon MacDonald, to raise the Society’s flag in support of National Hospice Palliative Care Week.

CBRM’s Deputy Mayor, Eldon MacDonald, has signed a proclamation stating May 6th-12th to be  National Hospice Palliative Care Week in the CBRM in order to bring more public awareness of the mission of the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County in supporting and promoting compassionate care for individuals and their loved ones who are living with a life-threatening illness.

The theme of National Hospice Palliative Care Week this year is “Compassionate Communities”. The theme encourages Canadians to consider ways community involvement can support end of life, and the bereavement process.

March is Music Therapy month and Hospice Palliative Care Society music therapy Jill Murphy (r), is the recipient of a spring orchid presented to her by board member Michele McKinnon (l). The spring orchid was presented in appreciation for the outstanding work she does with Palliative Care Service patients in hospital and in the community year round. Jill is an Accredited Music Therapist who together with patients (and/or family members) creates and implements a uniquely personalized music therapy experience that reflects individual needs of the patient.

The Society has funded this position since 2009, understanding that music is known to positively impact patients and particularly so in Cape Breton where music is deeply rooted in community culture. Music Therapy in palliative care can help improve communications, reduce anxiety, promote emotional expression, decrease feelings of isolation, decrease pain perception and aid in a life review. Patients have the option of simply listening to music that is either pre-recorded or live and family members are encouraged to share music that is important to the patient. Some patients choose to work with Jill in personal song writing or become involved in active music making along with her. Some patients choose to create legacy CDs for family and friends.

The Hospice Palliative Care Music Therapy program is also supported by Second Wind Community Concert Band through an annual fundraising concert that takes place in June.

Basil Hodder of the Cape Breton Freewheelin’ Motorcycle Association presents a cheque for $1000 to Nancy Dingwall, Past Chair of the Hospice Palliative Care Society, in early April. This group on the move has been a loyal supporter of the Society’s efforts to provide comfort and care programs to patients and families in the Palliative Care Service.

Polar Dip organizers Myrna Murphy(l) and Katherine MacDonald Snow (r) present a donation of $2600 to Hospice Palliative Care Society Board Member Jane Lewis.

The community of Port Morien’s  fun-filled annual New Year’s Day Polar Dip attracts brave swimmers to its shoreline for a brisk swim and heartfelt warmth and good food in the local Legion. Hospice Palliative Care was the 2018 charity of choice and for that the Society is most grateful! The two groups are planning to team up again in 2019 so get your bathing suits and blankets ready for next year’s Polar Dip!

The Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County wishes to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in Burger Week 2017. Whether you were the hands that created the burgers, or the customer that enjoyed the burgers, we thank you! Burger Week would not be the success that it is without our supportive and generous community.

1. What is a Pop-Up Shop?

A Pop-Up Shop is a short term sales space. Sunflower Treasures accepts donations in April that are then used as sales articles in May. Proceeds from the event go entirely to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County.

2. What types of items can I donate?

Jewellery (contemporary and vintage); purses, accessories and ladies formal and cocktail wear, china, pottery, décor and entertaining items, collectibles, artwork, wall hangings, mirrors, fabric, yarn and quilting supplies, table linens, books, games, DVDs, special interest magazines and vinyl records/collections.

      3. When and where can I donate?

Donations can be brought to 291 Esplanade (across from Holiday Inn) on April 19th, 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th and 28th from 12:00pm-6:00pm.

4. What shouldn’t I donate?

We ask that you kindly refrain from donating electronics and sports equipment. While we think it great to clear these items from your living space, Sunflower Treasures is not the home for them.

5. What is the location and date of the sale?

Sunflower Treasures- A Pop-Up Shop will take place at 291 Esplanade, Sydney (across from the Holiday Inn). The dates of the sale are Friday and Saturday, May 4th and May 5th from 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Sunday, May 6th from 10:00am – 4:00pm.

6. What is the cost of admission?

Admission is free! Our “fudge fairies” will be on site selling creamy homemade fudge that will be available with a donation.

7. Do you accept credit cards?

The Pop-Up Shop is a cash only event. We are in close proximity to ATMS from Scotiabank, RBC and TD.

8. What is considered formal wear?

Formal Wear is a new category to Sunflower Treasures. This includes clothing that is intended for special occasions such as prom gowns, bridesmaids dresses, cocktail dresses, mother of the bride pieces and evening gowns.

9. What is done with the proceeds from the Pop-Up Shop?

Proceeds will support comfort and care programs and projects for palliative care patients and their families.

10. What is done with any unsold items?

Unsold items are donated to charity.

Published March 15, 2018
Chronicle Herald

It took over two months, but I finally listened to the CD my sister Paula made for me. I laughed and cried as she talked about the good and not so good times in our lives and her hopes. Her funny personality and wisdom shone through with her inspirational message. On New Year’s Eve, Paula was finally at peace after a five-year struggle with ovarian cancer. She was 48. I’ll always treasure the opportunity to hear her voice, though she’s no longer with us.

The CD was one of a number of projects she worked on in the last few months of her life. In April 2017, Paula was told her cancer was back; she had three to nine months to live. During one of her stays at An Calla, the palliative care unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Paula had the good fortune to meet music therapist Jill Murphy who works for the hospice. Paula was a bit skeptical at first when Jill talked to her about participating in music therapy, but it didn’t take long for Jill to convince her.

The year before, Paula had participated in the Art of Living and the Art of Medicine programs at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. She worked with wildlife photographer Kris Tynski to develop a photography project to talk about living with cancer. This project turned into a life-changing interest in photography for Paula.

Paula began to look forward to working with Jill. Initially, we weren’t sure what those projects were, but it gave Paula a new sense of purpose. Jill wrote a song for Paula, based on one of her photos. Paula loved it. Jill became a friend that Paula wished she’d had more time to spend with. Jill graciously played that song at Paula’s celebration of life.

Through the music therapy program, Paula made a number of CDs for family and friends which highlighted her humour, wisdom, photography and favourite music. The opportunity to create these legacy pieces for her loved ones brought peace to Paula. It was her chance to tell people what they meant to her. The CDs were sent out after Paula’s passing. While some people played their CDs right away, some of us waited until we felt the time was right. We want to thank Jill Murphy and the music therapy program for giving us such a special tribute from Paula.

March is Music Therapy Month across Canada. This is an amazing program that can help so many people. I am so grateful my sister had the opportunity to participate in it.

Helen Graham, Sydney, sister of Paula Graham