Dr. Allen MacLean, Board Chair for the East Prince Health Annual Meeting, has announced that the 2002 recipient of the Charles Linkletter Brighter Futures Award is the East Prince Chapter of the Hospice Palliative Care Assocation of PEI. The announcement was made at the * East Prince Health Region [to Nov 2005] Annual Meeting.
The Award is presented to an individual, team or group associated with East Prince Health who has made a significant contribution to the region's mission – to encourage families, individuals and communities to attain and maintain their best possible health.
The East Prince Chapter of the Hospice Palliative Care Association consists of a group of volunteers, dedicated to improving the quality of life during the last stages of illness for the terminally ill and their families. The chapter has been providing care and support, without individual or group compensation, since its inception in 1985.
HPCA volunteers give the gift of time. Hospice care combines comfort, conversation, reading, walking and, for some, joining in prayerful medication and other related services that bring peace of mind during the final days of life. Volunteers sit with patients throughout the night or during the day so that other family members may rest.
The concept of death and dying has historically produced a certain amount of fear in the hearts of most individuals. Knowing that there are individuals and groups that work to dispel these fears can make death and dying both a peaceful and meaningful experience for both family and the person who is experiencing an end of life process.
HPCA volunteers donate their time in an attempt to make that transition between life and death as comfortable and peaceful an experience as possible.
Dr. Allen MacLean commented that, "The selection committee for the Charles Linkletter Brighter Futures Award felt that this wonderful organization was very deserving of this year's award."
Mr. Linkletter was a well known local businessman who had a long and distinguished career as a local businessman and community volunteer. Among his many contributions, he spent several years as a Charter member of the East Prince Health Board and the Prince County Hospital Foundation.
Last year Joan Savage, a noted local artist and Manager of Public Health at East Prince Health, was awarded the opportunity to develop the award. She painted her impression of "Taylor's Pond," an area in North Granville which was a favorite fishing retreat for Mr. Linkletter.
The original painting sits on a large wood mount in the entry of the East Prince Health Administration Office at 271 Lidstone Avenue in Summerside. Each award recipient receives a framed limited edition print of "Taylor's Pond." Last year, the first award recipient was Notre Dame Place.