Thanks to a generous donation from the Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque, the Montreal Institute for Palliative Care is pleased to announce the launch of its first research project, Compassionate Communities. Collaborating with several municipalities in Montreal, this five-year project will build community-based programs that provide supportive environments and linkages for citizens of all ages dealing with serious diseases or in the later stages of their lives. The impact on quality of life of these community-driven activities will be measured and the findings shared so that more communities can benefit.
With the help of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé to reach out to the research community and to conduct the scientific merit review, the project has been awarded to a team led by Dr. Antoine Boivin, Canada Research Chair on Patient and Public Partnerships at the Université de Montréal. The diversity and experience of the team, with investigators from McGill University, University of Ottawa, Université du Québec à Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, University of Bradford (United Kingdom) and other organizations, is exceptional.
We are proud to be moving forward on the important initiative that will engage our local communities in participating in caring for their citizens. This project embodies the priorities of the Institute to continuously improve palliative care access and capacity for the approximately 70% of Canadians who do not have access to comprehensive, quality palliative care.
“We are very grateful to Suzanne Lévesque and the Fondation J.-Louis Lévesque for their pioneering gift, spearheading the Institute’s research activities. This donation will demonstrate that Compassionate Communities have the power to transform the end of life experience for individuals and their loved ones. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution of our University partners who are investing their time and expertise to inform community development.” said Teresa Dellar, M.S.C., MSW, PSW, FT Executive Director and Co-Founder, West Island Palliative Care Residence
About the West Island Palliative Care Residence
The West Island Palliative Care Residence is an independent, non-profit organization that provides services free of charge to patients and their families. The Residence receives one-third of its annual operational budget from the Quebec government and relies on community support and fundraising activities to raise the balance of more than 3.5 million dollars each year. With its 23 beds, the Residence is the largest freestanding palliative care facility in Canada and is recognized as a leader in its field. For more information, go to PalliativeCareResidence.com.
