McDermott House gives $1.2 million for palliative care unit

On October 21st, Sunnybrook’s palliative care unit was the proud recipient of a $1.2 million gift from McDermott House Canada. In partnership, Sunnybrook and McDermott House Canada will broaden the scope of care and provide an enhanced best life experience for veterans, military, first responders, and community patients facing the final stage of a terminal illness.

In 2010, Canadian Tenor John McDermott made a $3.6-million commitment and launched a new charitable organization known as McDermott House Canada. With this initial contribution, the first stages of the renovation to the palliative care unit will soon begin.

The overall existing physical environment of the unit, will offer enhanced features such as, rooms with a reclining chair for family members who wish to stay overnight. All bedrooms will have Internet connections and wall units.

Common areas will be improved with new furnishings, televisions, new flooring and fresh paint. Family members will be able to spend as much time with their loved ones and share special occasions together on the unit. The new environment will also promote flexibility and holistic care, with full integration of family and loved ones, as well as accommodation for various cultural rituals.

At the cheque presentation, Sunnybrook leaders thanked John McDermott and his team for their significant commitment to Sunnybrook and for their vision to create a warm, home-like environment which will set the standard for premier end-of-life care in Canada.

The palliative care unit in Kilgour Wing opened in 1989. At that time, it was one of the first palliative care units in an academic health sciences centre in Ontario. Today, the award-winning interprofessional care team, cares for well over 400 patients per year.