What is Hospice Care?

There can be some confusion about hospice care and the terminology can be confusing. We have tried to address some of these questions in our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The Aitken Community Hospice is a physical location where people receive medical care at the end of life. The Comox Valley Hospice Society provides emotional and spiritual support that is complementary to hospice care to those who are at the end of life within the hospice itself, as well as at the Comox Valley Hospital, and to those who prefer to die at home.

CVHS Founder - Shirley Wade-Linton

Shirley Wade-Linton was the catalyst behind the formation of the Comox Valley Hospice Society in 1983 (then called the Valley Hospice Society). In October of 1982, Shirley’s mom died of cancer in Victoria. There was a hospice in Victoria at the time but no room for her mom. It was a grim and painful death.

Shirley returned to Courtenay convinced “we can do better”. She got together with two friends Bob Laval and Gail Pratt to start exploring how to bring hospice palliative care to the Comox Valley. At the time, Shirley was a dietitian at St. Joseph’s hospital and knew doctors and medical staff who had an interest in end of life care.

Our Directors & Office Contacts

Christine Colbert
Executive Director
ed@comoxhospice.com

General Information
info@comoxhospice.com

Our Funding

As a Canadian registered charitable organization, the Comox Valley Hospice Society programs and services are heavily dependent on the generosity of our local community. We are grateful to live in a community where approximately 70% of the Society’s funding comes from generous donors.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, as well as business and individual donors, bequests, fundraising events and grants from Island Health, United Way Central & Northern Vancouver Island, Service Clubs, Comox Valley Community Foundation and others. Together, this enables us to continue to provide education, care and support to people in our community free of charge.

Your donations and community fundraising efforts allow us to make a difference in the lives of others and we thank you for your kind support.