Christine, one of the Family Relief Fund Award winners, and her husband John.

In celebration of National Caregiver Day on April 7th 2020, VHA partnered with The Caregivers’ Club Family Relief Fund to provide two awards of 50 free respite care hours to Toronto-based unpaid caregivers who are caring for those with dementia. We’re pleased to announce our winners. Here’s what they have to say about winning the award:

“This award is most welcome, especially during the pandemic. It means I can recharge, take a break, and then resume my caregiving role with my mate with renewed energy. I appreciate the efforts of Cynthia Banks, Director of The Caregivers’ Club and VHA staff to make this happen.” 

– Christine, Family Relief Fund Award Winner

“I am very grateful for the hours given to me by The Caregivers’ Club and VHA. The hours will give me a chance to go walking, meet up with a friend for a socially-distanced coffee or go grocery shopping; a few things that I haven’t been able to do for a long time. I am so relieved to be able to do these things and relax knowing my husband is in good hands with a VHA worker. Thanks Caregivers’ Club and VHA!” 

– Kathleen, Family Relief Fund Award Winner

About the Award

The Caregivers’ Club Family Relief Fund was launched with the mandate of supporting unpaid caregivers in physically and financially challenging situations. To learn more about The Caregivers’ Club film and how to watch the documentary, please visit https://www.thecaregiversclubfilm.com.

“We want to care for the carers who do so much and now more than ever, we want to show them our support,” says Cynthia Banks, Director of The Caregivers’ Club. “These hours of respite can make or break a caregivers’ journey.”

National Caregiver Day falls annually on the first Tuesday in April and is intended to honour this group of incredibly dedicated and hard-working individuals. Over 8 million, or one in four people across the country, provide unpaid care to support someone in their lives who is experiencing mobility or cognitive challenges, or suffering with a chronic disease, according to Statistics Canada.

“Unpaid caregivers are the backbone of our health care system and are often unrecognized and unacknowledged. Especially at this time when all aspects of our health care system are under such strain, we are relying on unpaid caregivers more than ever. This award is a small way we can show our appreciation for all they do,” says Carol Annett, President and CEO of VHA Home HealthCare.

For more information and to donate to The Caregivers’ Club Family Relief Fund, please visit www.thecaregiversfilm.com/support.