More than 100 participants braved the wind and snow to raise money for hospice palliative care during the annual Olds Hike for Hospice on May 4.This year, 101 people were registered, who raised $16,670.That's down from last year's numbers -- $23,000 by 150 hikers – but that could not dampen Kathy Kemmere's mood.“It's not the amount. It's the spirit so I'm happy,” said Kemmere, vice-president of the Olds and District Hospice Society. “It was amazing and I think it really speaks to the spirit that's involved with the people who support hospice palliative care.”Participants had the option of traversing either a one-kilometre or five-kilometre trail. Some ran, others walked or even cycled.Volunteers who handed them small gift bags, including items such as notepads, pens, gum and nutrition bars, greeted them at the finish.Inside the Olds Sports Complex, where the event started, prizes were awarded following a raffle draw.The society does not have its own palliative care building but is exploring partnerships in town.One could potentially involve renting space at the Sunrise Encore seniors' residence, which Kemmere said is interested in accommodating hospice suites within its building.“We're hoping that this will go ahead and it'll take a little bit of pressure off the palliative patients being within our hospital facility too,” she said.The society is hoping to raise $50,000 to furnish the potential suites, which would house families supporting their loved ones facing the end of their lives, Kemmere added.She said when she started at the society, not many people knew what hospice palliative care was.Before erecting its own building, the society has to create awareness of its purpose.“Until we can kind of cement what we do and why it's important, I don't think that building a building is a reality for a while,” Kemmere said. “Our focus is to support people at end of life as much as we can.”[email protected]
