For four magical performances prior to the holidays, Eleanor McCain shares her love of all things holiday, with a line-up of four concerts in Victoria. Performing with the Victoria Symphony, Eleanor will play a selection of songs from her Holiday release, sure to get everyone in a festive mood.
“I love the holidays and everything Christmas represents,” said Eleanor. “For me, it’s a time to share with family and friends and also a time to give thanks.” In light of Eleanor’s deep love of the holidays and family, she has made a commitment to donate 10 per cent of all concert sales for her Victoria concerts to Victoria Hospice.
“Victoria Hospice’s nurses, counsellors, spiritual caregivers, physicians and trained volunteers provide comfort for the patient and support for the family, rather than a cure for progressive and life-limiting illness,” said John Greschner, president of the Victoria Hospice Society Board of Directors.
“We provide care in patients’ homes, within our 17-bed in-patient unit, and as specific medical consultation to patients in other health care facilities. Our bereavement services counsellors provide support to families for up to one year following a death. And we have more than 300 trained volunteers who provide companionship and support.”
This gift is in addition to the pledge Eleanor made at the beginning of the holiday season for all online sales from her website, Eleanor is donating 10 per cent of the proceeds to Hospice Toronto. Eleanor developed a connection to Hospice Toronto following the death of her father last year. Then she witnessed firsthand the critical role compassionate, in-home hospice palliative care played in supporting her father’s wish to remain at home, and to live with comfort and dignity, surrounded by family and friends.
“My father wanted to spend his last days in the comforts of his home when he was experiencing the end of his battle with pancreatic cancer,” said McCain. “I saw first-hand the profound work hospice caregivers provide for patients at the end of their lives.”
It is now her wish that this album, as well as future albums, have a philanthropic thread running through them that supports hospice palliative care long term, as well as other like causes. “While my commitment to Hospice Toronto in particular runs deep, I felt it was important to give to local hospices as I perform across Canada this holiday season. Regardless of provincial territories, these special care givers are doing an amazing and significant job – one I feel deserves our ongoing recognition and support.”
“Victoria Hospice is privileged to have Eleanor, who understands the need for palliative end-of-life care and who wishes to support the hospice movement across the country,” said Kathleen Burton, Victoria Hospice Director of Development. “Having listened to her CD, I cannot wait to see Eleanor perform live. What a tribute to her father to be able to do something she loves so much and do it knowing it will support the type of care that touched her family a year ago.”
You can catch Eleanor in Victoria supporting Victoria Hospice in A Sentimental Christmas, Dec. 7 to 10 at the Royal Theatre.
