Hike for Hospice: Walking Together Toward Equitable End-of-Life Care

Every spring, communities across Canada lace up their shoes, gather their loved ones, and step out with purpose for a cause that touches every community, every family, and every heart. Hike for Hospice is more than a fundraiser—it’s a powerful national movement that brings people together to support equitable, compassionate hospice palliative care for all. It’s a statement. A step toward equity in hospice palliative care for everyone, everywhere.

From coast to coast, thousands of individuals, families, and organizations unite for walks, runs, and heartfelt community events that honour loved ones, celebrate life, and raise vital funds for local hospice and palliative care services. And with 100% of funds raised staying in local communities, the impact is immediate and meaningful.

 A Collective Commitment to Compassionate Care

Held traditionally on the first Sunday in May—and now stretching from early spring to late fall— Hike for Hospice is more than just a walk; it’s a community-driven effort that underscores the collective commitment to compassionate care.

From city parks in Vancouver to village trails in Nova Scotia—people come together to honour loved ones, support grieving families, and fund local hospice and palliative care programs. What makes this initiative unique is that each event is independently organized and 100% of the funds raised stay in the community, strengthening care for neighbours, friends, and families right where they live.

This local impact speaks to a broader truth: access to hospice palliative care in Canada is unequal. Whether someone receives timely, compassionate care often depends on geography, income, diagnosis, or age. In rural and remote regions, Indigenous communities, or for children and youth, supports are particularly scarce. Hike for Hospice helps close those gaps—one step at a time.

Already in 2025, over 43 hikes are planned across nine provinces and territories, with more being added weekly. ( Watch this video from Hospice Mississauga.) You can find a hike near you—or add your own—using the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association’s national hike listing web page. Organizers also get access to a free branding kit that includes customizable posters, social media graphics, pledge forms, and “In Honour” placards.

From Small Towns to Big Cities—Every Step Counts

Hike for Hospice is as diverse as the communities it supports. Last year:

• in Victoria, BC, families walked 3.5 km along the scenic waterfront, with music, food trucks, and a “Best Dressed Dog” contest adding joy to the day.
• in Peterborough, ON, 216 participants and over 1,200 pledgers helped raise a record-breaking $127,400—their first in-person hike since before the pandemic.
• In Stony Plain, AB, the Light Up Your Life Society’s hike around Chickakoo Lake brought generations together, including families and pets, in support of regional hospice and grief support programs.

These events aren’t just fundraisers—they’re opportunities for connection, remembrance, and advocacy. The funds raised through the Hike for Hospice have a tangible impact on hospice palliative care services across Canada. These contributions help maintain and expand programs that provide comfort, dignity, and support to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses and their families.

 

 Why It Matters: The Case for Equity in Hospice Care

Hospice palliative care is about more than managing pain—it’s about living well right to the end. It’s about emotional support for both patients and families, grief counseling, and honouring a person’s wishes and dignity. Currently only a small percentage of people in Canada have access to the hospice palliative care they need, when and where they need it. Where you live, your income, your age, your background and your diagnosis can determine what care is available to you.

 Building Awareness and Momentum

Through interactive and inclusive events, Hike for Hospice fosters community awareness and open conversations about death, dying, and care. Many events include memorial ceremonies, live music, and even BBQs to celebrate life while acknowledging loss. By participating in or supporting a local hike, individuals contribute to a national movement that values compassion and community.

Online, participants share their journeys through #Hike4Hospice, creating a national wave of remembrance, advocacy, and hope.

Be Part of the Movement

Canada’s population is aging, and the need for palliative care is rising. By taking part in Hike for Hospice, you’re not only honouring a loved one—you’re helping build a future where everyone in Canada has access to the care they deserve, at the time they need it most.

Whether you walk, organize, sponsor, or simply share the message, your steps matter.

• Find a hike or register your own: chpca.ca/hike
• Follow and share using: #Hike4Hospice
• Support local, advocate nationally

Together, we can walk toward a Canada where compassionate hospice palliative care is a right—not a privilege.