The Healing Cycle

Healing Cycle Ride Links

The Healing Cycle Foundation

Recognizing the need for palliative care services – and doing something about it

The Healing Cycle Foundation is a volunteer-based, registered charity that honours life by raising and stewarding funds to hospice palliative care services that provide compassion and preserve dignity.

The Foundation is concerned about the quality of life of terminally-ill patients and believes that families of patients should be supported throughout the palliative care process.

The Foundation has raised $630,000 towards a $1 million commitment to the palliative care unit at Credit Valley Hospital. 100% of donations go directly to its palliative care unit. (We use rider registration fees and sponsorships to cover operating costs).

Ongoing

The Foundation is contributing to the building of a new palliative care facility at the Credit Valley Hospital. Slated for completion in 2011, the 10,000 square foot, 15-bed Centre will house a comprehensive, family-centered program that responds to the needs of patients and their families when illness is not responsive to curative treatment. Care will be provided by an interdisciplinary team consisting of nurses, physicians, dieticians, physiotherapists, occupational, recreation and music therapists, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, and chaplains.

2009

The Foundation purchased a new digital keyboard for the palliative care unit that is played by volunteers and family members. It will also purchase hospital equipment for the new palliative care facility that is currently being built.

2008

The Foundation, through its Kids4Kids program, agreed to fund a Paediatric Palliative Care Facilitator staff position at the hospital for three years. This position will assist families who need to establish contact with local paediatricians and doctors expert in palliative care, once it becomes clear that the child no longer has curative treatment options at Hospital for Sick Kids, and the family wants to bring the child home. The Facilitator bridges the gap between community services, Credit Valley Hospital and multidisciplinary team members. When a child becomes distressed due to respiratory difficulties, pain management issues or other end-of-life complications the Facilitator communicates a plan of care and develops a system of “direct admit” from home to an inpatient bed, bypassing the Emergency Department, ensuring a smooth transition from the home, should the need arise.

2007

The Foundation funded two special low-profile beds for the palliative care unit, which will make it easier for patients to get out of bed and reduce the risk of falling.
As an outcome and extension of the “Breathlessness Management” initiative, the Foundation sponsored the printing of a brochure that offers advice on easing breathing difficulties, which is handed out, as needed, to palliative patients by nurses and allied health care providers in the community.

2006

With funds from the 2006 ride the Foundation is pleased to sponsor a leading-edge communications project that will be developed by Credit Valley Hospital to streamline its communication process with professional caregivers who visit palliative patients in their homes.

2005

After the 2005 inaugural ride with just 27 riders, the Foundation purchased practical items for the palliative care unit, such as a much-needed refrigerator, overbed tables and sleeper chairs for relatives of patients that wish to sleep over night at the hospital.