WIPCR celebrates 10 years of caring service

By Kevin Woodhouse, October 17th, 2012

What has become a Quebec model for building and managing a palliative care residence as well as allowing almost 2,000 people to end their lives with dignity in beautifully serene surroundings with family and dedicated staff, the West Island Palliative Care Residence (WIPCR) celebrated a decade of caring service this past Friday morning where Executive Director Teresa Dellar and many of her colleagues took time to fete the residence's successes with many supporters and friends.
A large party tent was erected on the residence's grounds and stalwart morning DJ Terry DiMonte was broadcasting live from the scene as guests, dignitaries, supporters and employees mingled about, sharing stories and successes from the past 10 years.
For Jacques Cartier MNA Geoffrey Kelley, the residence has touched him both professionally and personally.  First, as MNA who noted that "the residence was an important place for the community but it is also where both my mom and dad spent the last few weeks of their lives.  As a family, we really benefitted from having the residence in our own community."
After Kelley's mother passed away, his dad volunteered at the resident before his own passing. 
"In the last 10 years, the residence has grown in leaps and bounds," said Lac St. Louis MP Francis Scarpaleggia. "And not just in terms of adding new beds for a total of 23 but also in the minds of West Island citizens," Scarpaleggia told The Suburban. "It is a model, in so many ways, of the community coming together which makes it a beacon for Canada as it is unique in its vision, a very special place."
For former Nelligan MNA and residence co-founder Russell Williams who now works in the private industry in Ottawa, was happy to be back as the residence always brings back "good memories of love and caring for others in the community.  It is my hope that one day all communities across Canada will have access to such a great place.  The key element is to do what this residence has done, which is to fit into the community."
Williams noted that the residence is more than just a hospice as it provides other programs including an outreach concept for those who want to spend their last days at home.
Another facet of the residence's success is the ability to raise funds every year in order to maintain in operation as families are not charged for the residence's services and government funding accounts for about a third of yearly costs.
When asked about the last 10 years, Dellar told The Suburban "for all of the families and patients who have come over the years, it has been our honour to care for them and we are so grateful that they allow us into our lives."n