Joan Camilli

May marks national recognition of Hospice Palliative Care. This is the 30th year anniversary of The Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County. Working in partnership with the Nova Scotia Health Authority - Cape Breton Palliative Care Service, the society’s mission is to support and promote compassionate care for patients and their families and with the help of volunteers in many roles is able to do so. This is the third of four profiles on volunteers with the hospice and palliative care society.

Age: 71

Occupation: Retired RBC banker.

Home: Portage.

Birthplace: Truro.

Family: Married to Domenico, blessed with children Maria, Nick and Pia. Pets: None now but had race horses for years. Number of Years involved with the Hospice Palliative Care Society: Nine years.

Why do you believe the work of the HPC Society is important: The need is so great in this area. When families are coming from all over Canada and beyond to be with loved ones who are ill, we constantly hear how amazed they are with the care provided by HPC staff on the An Cala unit. It is so important for the society to support the staff, the patients and family members. What was your first job: Waitress. What talent would you most like to have: Piano player.

Coffee or tea: Both.

What is your favourite food: Italian. Favourite Movie: Pride and Prejudice Favourite place to travel: Italy. What is your favourite thing about Cape Breton: The people. And I live five minutes from a beach, 10 minutes from a golf course and a ski hill, so it’s hard to top that.