“I like giving where there is a need… where we can make a real difference in our community,” explained Joe Remai. “The Close to Home Campaign is important, because there is a real need for a hospice in Saskatoon. Most cities of this size have one. And it is important for families to be able to be together at that time in their lives.”

Close to Home Campaign Honourary Co-Chair Gene Dupuis noted: “For over 50 years, Joe Remai and his family have built apartments, schools, hospitals, and condos across Saskatchewan. Joe has long been a supporter of health care and St. Paul’s Hospital. Today Joe has made a very generous $500,000 gift to the Close To Home Campaign, a gift that will have a tremendous impact on generations to come.”

SPH Foundation Board Chair Neil Weber expressed his appreciation for Joe’s commitment to supporting our community, particularly with respect to quality healthcare: “In addition to today’s gift to the Close to Home Campaign, Joe has provided gifts to our Foundation in support of vascular imaging equipment, SPECT-CT diagnostic imaging equipment, and state-of-the art technology in our Vascular operating theatre. We simply cannot thank him enough.”

Hospital Executive Director Karen Barber said she was deeply moved by the gift, explaining: “St. Paul’s Hospital would simply not be what it is today without your generosity. Your gift will help Saskatchewan residents live their lives to the fullest in their time of need as they journey toward end of life.”

Construction on the Hospice at Glengarda began in May. St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation CEO and Campaign Director Lecina Hicke said fundraising is progressing very well: “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. I’m pleased to announce your support has brought our Close to Home fundraising total to an incredible $19.5 million to date.”

The $20-million Close to Home campaign by St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation will strengthen end-of-life services in the community: first of all through construction of the province’s first free-standing residential hospice, the planned 15-bed Hospice at Glengarda.

The second priority in the campaign will establish a Holistic Care Endowment to provide spiritual care, healing arts therapy and bereavement care to patients and families facing the end of life – both within the hospice and in the wider community. The campaign will also fund the establishment of an Palliative Care Education Fund to increase the knowledge and skills of those providing end-of-life care.

Finally, the campaign will raise funds for much-needed renovations to the existing 12-bed Palliative Care Unit at St. Paul’s Hospital.

To make your donation, or learn more about the Close to Home campaign, visit www.CloseToHome.fund or contact St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation at 306-655-5821.

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