The B.C. Ministry of Health has announced it will contribute an additional $1.5 million toward the construction of the new Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Abbotsford.
The new funding complements the $1.5 million in provincial funds announced in November 2010 for the facility, which is part of the Campus of Care project underway adjacent to Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
The project also includes the Abbotsford Hospice Society's Holmberg House – providing hospice services to adults – and Matthew's House, a respite facility for children with severe disabilities.
"We are so grateful for the province's continued support to Canuck Place and their confidence in us to provide the best care to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families," said Filomena Nalewajek, CEO of Canuck Place.
Canuck Place will be the first of the three facilities to be completed, near the end of 2012. The 2,800-square-metre (30,000-square-foot) building includes 10 beds with suites for five families.
The existing Canuck Place in Vancouver has nine beds and four family suites.
The new children's hospice, known as Dave Lede House – in honour of Dave Lede, the lead donor of the capital campaign – will include 24/7 physician and nursing support, end-of-life care, pain and symptom management, respite care, school, counselling and more.