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Abbotsford Hospice Society hosts annual Butterfly Ball

Event takes place Saturday, April 6 at Quality Hotel and Conference Centre
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The Abbotsford Hospice Society presents its annual Butterfly Ball on Saturday, April 6. (Ciao Bella Photography)

The Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) holds its 16th annual Butterfly Ball fundraising gala on Saturday, April 6.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Quality Hotel and Conference Centre, 36035 North Parallel Rd.

This year’s theme is “From Paris, With Love” and features a culinary inspired dinner, entertainment, and many live and silent auction items.

The gala raises money for AHS programs and services.

The AHS operates Holmberg House, a centre where people come for palliative care and support during times of grief and loss.

Holmberg House is a 10-bed facility that provides dignified end-of-life care for adults from age 19. But there is so much more that goes on inside the walls of Holmberg House.

The programs provide support for all members of the family affected by the death of their loved one.

The children’s program runs on the belief that any child old enough to love is old enough to grieve. They are allowed to explore their feelings in a supportive environment through art, play and with other kids with similar issues.

The youth program is specifically designed for those ages 13 to 24, with many events held throughout the year.

Kickboxing, connecting with horses, creating with clay, decorating cookies, making perfume and belly dancing are just some of the activities that were offered this past year.

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Adult grief support is a program that continues to grow at AHS, with many groups being added.

These include groups for widows, parents, perinatal loss, and most recently a group for those suffering a death due to traumatic loss.

There are other new things being added to their services as well. NavCare is a partnership program with UBC that provides a volunteer navigation service to those in the community living with serious illness.

AHS volunteers work with the individual to access resources and services while providing companionship and emotional support.

An adult day program is also scheduled to launch later this year. In partnership with Fraser Health, services will include respite day care for the patient and caregiver, a nutrition program, clinical care, and adjutant therapies.

Last year, the various programs and services offered through Holmberg House impacted the lives of 4,400 people in the community.

Tickets for the Butterfly Ball are still available online at abbotsfordhospice.org/butterflyball. For more information, call 604-852-2456.