Losing someone you love is never easy, but at a time like Christmas it can be even harder.
For over 15 years, the Tree of Hope has been a shining light during the holidays for those dealing with a loss.
Situated in the main lobby at the Bonnyville Healthcare Centre, each white light on the tree can be bought in memory of someone who's passed on, or each coloured light as a season's greeting. The project, which was initiated by local resident Pat Shenher, also doubles as a fundraiser for the Bonnyville Palliative Care Committee.
“It was very dear to my heart. I'm originally from Vulcan and when my dad passed away from cancer, my kids slept on the cement floor and watched their grandfather die. I said that's no way to treat anybody or any family going through a palliative care situation,” said Shenher.
Determined to change that for families in Bonnyville, she joined the local palliative care board. With the support of her fellow members, Shenher started the Tree of Hope.
Since beginning nearly two decades ago, the annual initiative has grown to raising an average of $5,000 each year for palliative care. However, they also felt the pinch of a drop in the economy, only bringing in around $3,600 last year.
All of the money raised from the Tree of Hope goes towards making people's last moments as comfortable as possible – regardless of where those moments may be.
“Patients die at home sometimes, so we supply stuff like air mattresses, chairs, or sheep skins. We also supply in the hospital or nursing home. Basically anybody in the community that needs stuff to make life more comfortable in their final days,” Shenher explained.
Palliative care focuses on individuals who are unquestionably facing death, usually due to a terminal illness. The goal is to ensure these people aren't burdened by their suffering, but are able to receive the support they need while maintaining their dignity.
The Bonnyville Healthcare Centre currently offers two dedicated palliative care rooms for patients. There is also a separate kitchen and sitting area for families whose loved ones are in palliative care.
“It's important for people going through it to know that they have support; and to know that their loved one is taken care of at the end of their time. I also feel that in our community and society, we need to look after our people that are leaving us, we need to look after our people that our dying,” expressed Shenher.
In addition to providing items for those in palliative care, money from the Tree of Hope is also put towards education.
“We do put on a grievance series, or we'll bring in a guest speaker to talk to the community. Sometimes we've given it to the staffing at the homecare or hospital for further education if a nurse, for example, wants to specialize in palliative care.”
So far this year, the Tree of Hope has raised over $3,200, and still has a couple weeks to go. The six-week long fundraiser will end on Jan. 10, 2017. Until then, lights can be purchased at $10 each in memory of someone or to send a Christmas greeting. Each light that brightens up the Tree of Hope is recorded in a book situated next to the tree.
With Christmas being an especially difficult time for those working through their grief, the Tree of Hope is meant to do just that – bring a little bit of hope in a dark time.
“I think it's really important because this time of year is really hard when you lose a loved one. It's a good opportunity for people, in a positive way, to remember their loved ones, and I think it's a wonderful cause,” said Laura Sheplawy, an employee of the Bonnyville Healthcare Centre, who is taking care of the administrative aspect of the Tree of Hope.
Shenher noted that even if you don't have someone to get a light in memory of, a simple season's greetings can mean a lot to those who do.
“Christmas is such a time where it can be such an emotional pit when you're dealing with grieving of a loved one that you lost. Season's greetings is just a way to say ‘we're here to support you and we're thinking of you.'”
