Construction will begin shortly for St. John Hospice, a new comprehensive palliative care facility in Vancouver to provide 15 bedrooms for individuals in need.

Over five years ago, the Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation identified the need for a hospice on the west side of Vancouver and assembled the participants and funding that made this project possible.

The foundation has raised approximately $4.5 million for the project. Through their fundraising campaign, they have successfully brought in a number of partners to help make the hospice a reality:

• $3.5 million in private donations from individuals.

• The Province will contribute $1 million toward the capital costs.

• The University of British Columbia provided the land for this project and supported the planning process.

• The Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation will build and furnish St. John Hospice.

• Vancouver Coastal Health will provide annual operational funding of approximately $1.6 million and manage the site upon building completion.

St. John Hospice is located at 6389 Stadium Rd. on UBC's Vancouver campus, immediately across from the UBC Botanical Garden and Thunderbird Stadium. The two-storey wood-frame building will have 15 fully furnished ensuite bedrooms. The facility will also provide communal living and dining space, a family room, a garden courtyard and a quiet room for residents and their families.

St. John Hospice is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2013.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark -

"I want to thank the Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation for all their work in bringing this hospice to our community. Our government is pleased to contribute to this facility and help create a place where people and their families can receive compassionate care."

Colin Hansen, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena -

"It is important to have hospice care facilities that provide both the physical and emotional care that individuals and families require during times of need. St. John Hospice will directly address this demand, providing critical care, services and supports for individuals in our community approaching their final stages of life."

John Norton, chair, Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation -

"The foundation is delighted to see the project underway so that we can meet the demand and serve those in need of palliative care. St. John Hospice will welcome people from all backgrounds, faiths and income levels."

Stephen Owen, vice president, University of British Columbia -

"The St. John Hospice will soon become an integral part of the UBC campus on Point Grey, not only because of the essential end-of-life services it will provide for families, but also because of the role it will play in education and research for the faculty of medicine and other UBC health programs."

Mary Ackenhusen, chief operating officer, Vancouver Coastal Health -

"St. John Hospice will establish a much-needed palliative care facility on Vancouver's west side. This building will connect residents with a life-threatening illness with the highest level of quality care for symptoms management in a home-like setting, supporting them during these difficult times."

Learn More:

To learn more about BC Housing, please visit: www.bchousing.org

To learn more about the Order of St. John Palliative Care Foundation, visit: www.stjohnhospice.ca

Media Contacts:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789

Peter Hebb
St. John Hospice
604 736-7881

Lucie McNeill
University of British Columbia
604 822-2064

Gavin Wilson
Vancouver Coastal Health
604 708-5312