With the holiday season comes another opportunity to remember loved ones in a meaningful way.
For 16 years, Carman Palliative Care has hosted its annual memory tree fundraiser at Christmas, inviting the community to honour those they have lost. This year’s evergreen is set up at Access Credit Union, where it is ready to be adorned with paper angels.
Each angel placed on the tree bears the name of someone being remembered. To participate, individuals make a donation to Carman Palliative Care, write the name of their loved one on an angel and hang it on the tree. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt.
“It gives loved ones, family and friends the opportunity to celebrate their loved one that’s passed,” said Sandy Cameron of Carman Palliative Care.
All aspects of the fundraiser can be completed at Access Credit Union, from making a donation to writing and placing angels on the tree.
Funds raised through the memory tree go directly toward supporting Carman Palliative Care’s programming, which provides assistance and respite for patients and their families both in hospital settings and at home. Part of that support includes supplying baskets for families with essential items for hospital stays and helping maintain palliative care rooms.
Donations also help fund equipment that improves comfort and care for patients, including specialized beds designed to prevent bed sores and skin breakdown, chairs, portable ultrasound equipment and other items. Proceeds from last year’s fundraiser were used toward the newly renovated garden.
According to federal government data, 58 per cent of Canadians who died in 2021–22 received palliative care, up from 52 per cent in 2016–17. Of those who received palliative care, 61 per cent did so in hospital, while 36 per cent received care at home.
The memory tree fundraiser is one of Carman Palliative Care’s most important initiatives, as the organization operates entirely on donated funds. The campaign helps support programming throughout the year while also offering a meaningful way for people coping with loss to honour loved ones.
For those experiencing grief, Cameron encourages people to visit www.mygrief.ca for additional support and resources. The memory tree will remain on display into the new year, and angels can be added throughout that time.
Carman Palliative Care marked 30 years of service in Carman in October 2025.
