Causes We Support

Bluewater Palliative Care Retreat is building on the momentum and impact of the last nine years resulting in the planning committee now launching an exciting new chapter in Palliative Care education across our community. With continued support from funds raised through the Bluewater International Granfondo, BPCR is expanding into a series of dynamic, hyper-local learning opportunities including case discussions, lunch-and-learns, and focused seminars designed to meet clinicians where they practice. This approach creates more opportunities to connect, learn and collaborate throughout the year. By offering frequent, accessible and highly relevant sessions, we are strengthening local expertise and fostering deeper collaboration among Palliative Care professionals, all in support of exceptional patient and family centred care across Sarnia and Lambton County.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Granfondo community for its ongoing commitment and generosity.

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St Joseph’s Hospice has been supporting terminally ill people in our community as they face their illnesses since 2005. The Hospice also offers support programs for people who are caring for or grieving the loss of a loved one. In addition to this, in December 2009 St. Joseph’s Hospice opened its doors as a Residential Hospice on Christina Street Sarnia. This home-like, ten suite residence provides 24-hour specialized palliative care, free of charge, to people living with a life-threatening illness. The hospice is a non-profit organization serving Sarnia Lambton with a highly skilled professional staff, and over 375 volunteers.

Palliative Care at Bluewater Health is supported by dedicated palliative physicians and nurses who care for patients in hospital, community and in clinics. In addition to the staff that work on the unit, Bluewater Health has a full-time palliative care nurse navigator who provides basic palliative care and is a palliative resource and support for all staff. With strong partnerships between hospital and community, local and regional cancer centres, palliative care in Sarnia-Lambton focuses on patient and family-centered care that is compassionate, holistic, and individualized. The Palliative Unit at Bluewater Health was founded by Dr. Linda Bowring over 25 years ago and is named in her honour.

For over 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters have been championing the health and wellbeing of youth. They step in before it’s too late, to help prevent the physical and mental effects of adverse childhood experiences. They ensure children as young as 7 are supported by caring adults as they overcome these adversities, helping them to do better in life – physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and academically. Their events and initiatives along with their no-cost mentoring programs strive to reach young people who face adversity and are in need of an additional supportive relationship. This organization makes a difference in the lives of thousands of youth in the Sarnia-Lambton Community.

A Free Community Resource Empowering Youth Through Play and Movement.

A space where youth ages 12-25 can create the relationship they want with activity. Instead of directed performance, Weir Active prioritizes play and autonomy over movement. With staff that are trained Youth Wellness Navigators through Rebound and a range of diverse play and fitness equipment; that includes, fidget spinners and noise cancelling headphones, Weir Active removes the pressure youth often face in active spaces and makes movement accessible for all.