An additional $3 million is needed to reach the $5-million goal for a regional residential hospice facility in southeastern New Brunswick.
It will be built on Pleasant Street in Moncton and is expected to open in the fall of 2020.
Chair for Hospice Southeast New Brunswick Dennis Cochrane says funds will be used for more than just construction.
“All of the $5 million isn’t just for the construction of the building. It’s also for furniture and medical beds. I am amazed at how much they cost. Some rooms will be equipped with oxygen. Some will have tracks to move the patients and so on. I had never heard of a cuddle bed. It allows someone to get into bed with their loved one who is passing away,” Cochrane says.
He says it is a very frightening time for family and for the palliative care patient, “These are things I have learned about since this process began, that I didn’t know about. These things are expensive, but needed and will be appreciated.”
Dennis Cochrane, Chair Hospice Southeast New Brunswick Board of Directors (Staff photo)
The provincial and federal governments are contributing $1 million each to the Celebration Capital Campaign.
Cochrane says they are now seeking contributions from private donors.
The 10-bed residential hospice will offer bilingual, confidential and free services to all citizens of Southeast New Brunswick in Albert, Kent and Westmorland counties.
“We are proud to see this important initiative finally move forward in our beautiful region,” Cochrane says.
