Businessman Roozen gifts $3M to build residential hospice
A $3-million gift Friday from Edmonton businessman Harold Roozen launched a capital campaign to build Edmonton’s first residential hospice for those at the end of life.
Roozen said his late parents from war-ravaged Holland and Germany had little more than “a couple of suitcases” when they came to Canada 60 years ago.
“Today we are proud to be Albertans and in a position to give back something of significance to the people in our community,” said Roozen, the president and CEO of Rocor Holdings who has spearheaded many top companies.
“Compassion for the final journey and support for families is at the core of what Pilgrims Hospice does.
“We wholeheartedly support that goal and have great confidence that this new Hospice Centre can be achieved.
“It will not be easy and the greatest challenge will be convincing the leadership of our province that this kind of care is both economical and already government-funded in other jurisdictions in Alberta.”
The sold-out crowd of 350 at the Chateau Lacombe gave Roozen a standing ovation and raised some $120,000.
The planned 12-bed, $15-million Pilgrims Hospice is to be built in Crestwood and is the 24-year dream of Dr. Helen Hays and Marion Boyd.
“The week after I parted company in 1994 with the Royal Alexandra Hospital as director of patient care in intensive care, Helen and I discussed forming the Pilgrims Hospice Society,” said Boyd.
“Our work began in my basement before we found a place where we could help treat people who needed care and support. But we always had bigger plans.”
Hays, born in a small hamlet in Cornwall, England, was taken on rounds with her doctor father and later became a medical pioneer widely respected for her compassionate work with people facing chronic pain and terminal illness.
She was recruited in 1982 to create the first palliative-care unit at the Edmonton General Hospital and after a steep learning curve, she began mentoring Alberta physicians when appointed a University of Alberta associate clinical professor.
The duo’s Pilgrims Hospice Society went on to create such ventures as the day respite program, grief and bereavement counselling, support groups, expressive arts for grieving children, teens and families and a compassionate companion home-visiting program.
“Our vision has always been to include a residential home for those at the end of life and who can no longer stay at home, but do not need to be in hospital or long-term care facility,” said Hays, 85, who flew in Friday from her job as a volunteer at the Campbell River Hospice on Vancouver Island.
Gala committee chairman Richard Wong, the Shaw Conference Centre general manager who also heads the Home for Hospice campaign cabinet, thanked Roozen for his gift and also the Edmonton Community Foundation, Wawanesa Insurance, The Summit Foundation and the Muhlenfeld Family Fund for their donations.
“Imagine the benefit to our community when our existing grief, bereavement, respite and outreach programs are delivered out of a beautiful new, integrated hospice centre that also includes an end-of-life residential home, with round-the-clock specialized nursing care and all the comforts and peace of a real home,” said Wong.
TEACHER’S BIG MISTAKE
The annual luncheon of Global News’ Women of Vision was held Friday and of all the talented women recognized by chairwoman Lesley MacDonald and her board, Jodi Abbott, the CEO of NorQuest College, was the one with whom I identified most.
She read a letter she had written to a schoolteacher — calling him “Mr. Wrong ” — and offered him some advice.
“When I came to see you as a young person, I was looking for encouragement and guidance,” she wrote. “You told me I should not further my education because I was not capable of doing so.
“Today I have a PhD and have the privilege of leading a $100-million learning organization, NorQuest College.
“You failed me and more importantly, you disappointed me.
“But with the confidence of my family I chose to prove you wrong. Actually, it wasn’t about you at all, it was about showing myself that anything was possible.
“So my advice to you, and anyone else who has influence over a young person, is this:
“You have incredible power, use this power wisely as your words can empower or devastate.
“Give good guidance, not judgment.
“Remember that every human being has potential, encourage that potential.
“Watch your mentee’s development unfold and celebrate their journey.
“Finally, be kind; it’s easier than you think.”
When I was 16, I was told by my Hampton Grammar School headmaster, “Lees, your attitude isn’t conducive to further education.”
I went to work for a news agency at London’s Heathrow Airport and 18 months later I was living my dream by filing stories for national newspapers and international news agencies after interviewing everyone from sports and movie stars to the world’s leading politicians.
One’s path in life is often determined by one’s heart and drive and not by a negative comment.