Are you ready to VOTE for your favourite dancer for the benefit of the over 1,000 patients and families referred on an annual basis for palliative care from across all communities in Cape Breton County? Do you have your own dancing shoes at the ready and perhaps planning a watch party in support of this great cause? The much-anticipated and not-to-be-missed event of the season, Dancing with the Stars for Hospice (DWTS) will return to the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre for a third time on October 2, 2026.    

The 2019, 2023 and 2024 DWTS events hosted by the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County were tremendous successes. Funds raised were used to finish the Hospice Cape Breton residence and have funded a large part of the facility’s ongoing operational costs since its opening in March 2022.  Funds have also been used to refurbish the kitchen and patient rooms at the AnCala Palliative Care Unit at Cape Breton Regional Hospital in 2025.  The Society’s programs in support of patients and families faced with life-limiting illness have also been expanded and only made possible with the generous donations received from the community.  

“As we continue to expand our efforts to assist those in our community referred for palliative care, we could not do so without the contributions made by the dancers, pros, volunteers, sponsors, and the donors who continue to give so generously in support of this great cause. The Dancing with the Stars for Hospice event is the Society’s largest fundraiser, and I am pleased to share that the planning for the 2026 event is well underway. It is time once again to use dance for the benefit of neighbours, friends and family members referred for palliative care at a time in their lives of greatest need,” says Cheryl Read, Chair of the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County.    

DWTS Committee Co-Chair, Debbie Keating says, “It’s time to get ready to Vote for your favourite dancer! This year we have another exciting line-up of community leaders and talented dance pros who will perform dances from across a variety of genres, all of which are sure to delight.  Over the next two weeks, we will reveal the name of each dance pair on our Society’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HospiceCapeBreton. So, stay tuned to learn who has “stepped up to the challenge” from across our community and how you can support those in our community who need it most.” 

To donate and learn about the dancers, please visit  Canada Helps.