Monday, February 21, 2011
Help us celebrate a special caregiver in your life Nominate someone for Heroes in the Home Annual Caregiver Recognition Awards – Renfrew County
Renfrew County – When Frank Kutchkoskie was struck on the head by a falling tree during a workplace accident, doctors told his wife, Diane, that he only had two years to live. That was 24 years ago.
Frank is proving everyone wrong each day, thanks to his perseverance and Diane’s dedication and tireless devotion. Frank, who is wheelchair bound and requires a feeding tube, lives at home with 24-hour care.
“Diane never gave up on her husband,” says family friend Connie Robinson, who nominated Diane for the Heroes in the Home Caregiver Recognition Awards last year. “She made a plan to bring Frank home and care for him doing whatever it would take to keep him by her side. And what’s her reward? A smile or a laugh from Frank makes it all worthwhile.”
Every day, people in our communities provide wonderful care to those facing the challenges of age, illness and disability. Diane was one of 115 people celebrated last year as part of the Champlain Community Care Access Centre’s (CCAC) annual Heroes in the Home Caregiver Recognition Awards. This year, four events will be held across Eastern Ontario: May 2 and 5 in Ottawa; May 10 in Pembroke; and May 12 in Cornwall.
The Canadian Caregiver Coalition estimates that 4 to 5 million Canadians are providing care for a family member with long-term health problems, and these caregivers save the public system more than $5 billion dollars in unpaid labour every year.
“Family caregivers are the invisible backbone of the health and long-term care system in Canada,” says Lynn Graham, Champlain CCAC Board Chair. “These individuals whom we recognize through Heroes in the Home are truly exemplary. Each one is an essential member of a loved one’s care team.”
Any caregiver can be nominated through the awards program – a family member, friend, community volunteer, personal support worker, case manager, nurse, therapist or other health care professional. The nomination deadline is April 1, 2011. All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition and be honoured during special award ceremonies at events across the region.
“Through Heroes in the Home, we are celebrating caregivers who play a vital role in the delivery of health care in our region each day,” says Gilles Lanteigne, CEO, Champlain CCAC. “The awards also allow us to say thank you to these special individuals who give so much of themselves to help others in need in our communities.”
It’s easy to nominate someone special today. Just complete the one-page nomination form found at www.champlain.ccac-ont.ca and submit it to your local Champlain CCAC office.
For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Charest
Senior Communications Manager
Champlain CCAC
Phone: 613-745-8124 ext. 5997
Cell: 613-864-3925
E-mail: suzanne.charest@champlain.ccac-ont.ca
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