For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 24, 2008

CANUCK PLACE EXPANDS ITS SERVICES TO MEET THE GROWING NEED
A GENEROUS DONATION ALLOWS CANUCK PLACE TO OPEN NEW BED

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Canuck Place Children’s Hospice announced the opening of a new bed to its clinical floor. The bed will result in up to 100 more admissions per year of children with life-threatening illnesses.

“Our goal and mandate is to provide pediatric palliative care throughout BC,” said Filomena Nalewajek, Chief Executive Officer for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. “By adding a bed we are able to reach more children in the province in need of our care.”

It is estimated that Canuck Place currently can only meet 20% of the demand for pediatric palliative care in British Columbia. The expansion of services means Canuck Place will now operate 9 beds on its clinical floor.

Gary and Annie Santini first learned about Canuck Place while attending its annual black tie fundraiser last October. “After hearing a mother speak about her son and their experience at Canuck Place, I knew we had to make a significant contribution to this worthy cause,” said Annie Santini.

-30-
 

ABOUT CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE
Canuck Place opened its doors in 1995 as the first free standing children’s hospice in North America.  Today it is recognized globally as a leader in pediatric palliative care sharing knowledge, expertise and research regionally, nationally and internationally to assist in the further development of best practices in this field.

Canuck Place offers a comprehensive continuum of care to over 350 children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and their families throughout British Columbia. 
For more information, visit