Your generous donations to the Division of Palliative Care play a critical role in helping us achieve our mission to alleviate physical, psychosocial, and spiritual suffering at the end of life. Through world-class education, groundbreaking research, and exemplary care practices, we strive to provide comfort and compassion to those in their final stages of life.
In Canada, over 259,000 people pass away each year, with more than 33,000 deaths occurring in British Columbia alone. Nearly 90% of these deaths are the result of chronic illnesses, where death is foreseeable and symptoms often cause significant suffering. These conditions—such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, COPD, and kidney disease—account for the majority of deaths, with many others contributing either directly or indirectly.
To improve care for those who are dying and suffering from inadequate pain relief or lack of expert care, there is an urgent need for specialized palliative care training. This training must extend to doctors, nurses, social workers, volunteers, and all members of the healthcare team. As of 2021, Canada has just over 250 palliative care physicians, both full-time and part-time, and palliative care skills are now essential competencies for most medical specialties, especially Family Medicine and all subspecialties of Internal Medicine. Many nursing schools across Canada are also developing formal palliative care training programs.
Your contributions will help us reach the highest standards in palliative care through initiatives such as:
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Public Awareness Programs: Supporting community education forums, public speaker series, and film and media initiatives to raise awareness about palliative care.
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Expanding Educational Opportunities: Funding exemplary students, clinicians, and volunteers to further their education and expertise in palliative care.
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Field Experiences in Rural Communities: Providing essential learning opportunities for students and volunteers in underserved areas.
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Innovative Research: Supporting research in areas such as:
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Effective pain and symptom management
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Addressing the psychosocial aspects of pain and suffering
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Palliative care for vulnerable populations
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Family caregiving support
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Improving service delivery through systems-based research
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Enhancing quality of life for patients and families
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Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on patients and caregivers, and developing strategies for mitigation
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Academic Training Initiatives: Funding “train-the-trainer” programs for community palliative care and hospice delivery teams.
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Travel Support for Learning: Facilitating travel for students and clinicians to engage with national and international experts in palliative care.
With your support, we can continue to develop and provide high-quality palliative care that addresses the unique needs of patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
Thank you for helping us make a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need it most.
Make a Gift Contact
Kevin Chi, CFRE
Development Officer
Faculty of Medicine
University of British Columbia
317-2194 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Email: kevin.chi@ubc.ca
Online Giving Form
Thank you for your interest in making a secure on-line gift by credit card. Please click the following link to access our online giving form.