Red Deer Hospice Society is excited to announce the $1,000,000 fundraising mark has been reached in the Expansion Fundraising Campaign.

Construction of the $5.2 million expansion is well underway with foundations and framing continuing despite the recent cold weather.

“We are very fortunate to have such an engaged and supportive community,” said James McPherson, chair of the Expansion Fundraising Campaign. “We are on time, and on budget.”

Despite celebrating the milestone, the Expansion Fundraising Campaign Cabinet continues to be hard at work, seeking out donations and support.

“We still have a ways to go. While we are so proud of the support we have received to date and we know that lots of hard work is still ahead of us,” said McPherson.

The expansion of Red Deer Hospice Society was in response to increasing community demand.

“Typically we run at over 90 per cent capacity and we want to be available when Central Albertans need us. This expansion will allow us to meet the changing and increasing needs of our community while still providing quality end of life care in a home-like setting,” explained Val Hilario, Expansion Fundraising Coordinator with Red Deer Hospice.

The expansion of the palliative care facility will include an additional six beds as well as enhanced family lounges and quiet areas as well as multi-purpose rooms for community programming.

The goal is to open the expanded facility in 2019 and serve approximately 100 additional residents and their families each year. Red Deer Hospice continues to be open and serving the community during the renovation.

For more information on supporting the Red Deer Hospice expansion, visit www.reddeerhospice.com or call Red Deer Hospice directly at 403-309-4344.

-Submitted by the Red Deer Hospice