Cantley launches fundraising campaign for pediatric palliative care home

Tashi Farmilo

Cantley’s municipal officials and community leaders convened recently at the Cantley Community Centre for the launch of a significant initiative on National Child Palliative Care Day, on October 10. The event marked the beginning of a major fundraising campaign for Maison Papillon Enfants et Familles, the Outaouais region’s first pediatric palliative care facility. Set to become only the third such home in Quebec and the ninth in Canada, the project is poised to offer essential services to families whose children face life-limiting illnesses.

The municipality donated a four-acre riverfront property valued at approximately $500,000, accelerating the project's timeline. Construction of the planned facility, which will include eight rooms and two family suites, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025. Once completed, comprehensive, no-cost palliative care for children aged 0 to 18 will be provided, and families will be offered a peaceful, supportive environment.

Local residents Brigit Viens, Martin Gascon, and Amanda Mayer, all founding members of the initiative, announced the campaign’s $10.9 million goal, with $5.7 million already raised. Support has come from several major partners, including the Desjardins Foundation, which pledged $500,000, and the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation contributing $1 million. The Choquette-Legault Foundation made the campaign’s largest commitment with a donation of $2 million.

Josianne T. Lavoie, the project’s manager and a mother who lost her child to illness, stressed the critical need for the facility in the region. “Maison Papillon will be a sanctuary for families during the most challenging moments of their lives,” she said. In addition to providing care, the facility is expected to offer respite services and serve as a training hub for medical professionals specializing in pediatric palliative care.

The establishment of Maison Papillon is seen as a transformative moment for the Outaouais region, one that promises to bring essential health care resources closer to home for families. The initiative reflects a growing commitment to supporting those navigating the complexities of pediatric illness, ensuring that care and comfort are available when they are needed most. (Please note that this article was ready for publication at the onset of the Canada Post strike, republished now)