Stories

Every journey through hospice palliative care is unique — shaped by personal experience, compassion, and connection. Across Canada, individuals and families are sharing powerful stories of care, courage, and community at life’s most vulnerable moments.

This page is dedicated to honouring the voices of caregivers, healthcare professionals, patients and loved ones who have shared their experiences with hospice palliative care. Their reflections highlight not only the importance of quality end-of-life care, but also the urgent need for equitable access for all Canadians.

Laura’s Story

“It has been one year since my mother passed away, and only now do I feel emotionally able to share the devastating experience of her final days.”

Christine’s Story

“My husband, Michael became paralyzed from the ribs down (still with pain) for the final four months of his life and died in hospital, but never in a hospice bed”.

Jackie’s Story

“We were not prepared for the final stages of dying. It was not peaceful for the final 6 hours.”

Elizabeth’s Story

“My mother died on December 8, 2024 from congestive heart failure I had hoped she would be transferred to palliative care but there were no beds available in all of Winnipeg and a lengthy waiting list.”

Share Your Story  

We need your help to tell the real story of hospice palliative care in Canada.  

Help us show policymakers and health care leaders the impact of quality palliative care, or lack thereof, on families in Canada through your lived experience. 

A woman kneeling beside a young girl in a wheel chair.
A mother and daughter looking at a photo album.

Join Us!  

Everyone in Canada deserves holistic, compassionate, and person-centered care when they are faced with their own or a loved one’s life-limiting illness. Unfortunately, too few receive it.  

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Contact

Do you have questions about how you can help improve access to palliative care across Canada?