We Are Team Hospice!

April 2025

Each year, during the Hospice Dove Pin Campaign, families come together to honour loved ones who have passed, while supporting the compassionate care that Hospice provides. For the Blanchard family, this campaign is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a way to keep Jackie’s memory alive and give back to the place that made their hardest moments a little bit easier.

Mike Blanchard knows firsthand the profound impact of Hospice. In 2018, his father received in-home care through the Hospice Palliative Medicine Program. He saw then how Hospice care extends beyond the patient, wrapping the entire family in support. But nothing could prepare him for what was to come.

In May 2021 his wife, Jackie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Suddenly, Mike and Jackie were navigating a devastating reality while raising their two daughters, Averie and Adalyn, now 17 and 14.

A family friend who worked at the hospital pulled Mike aside and gave him heartfelt advice: “Get Jackie into Hospice—no matter if it’s here in Windsor or in Leamington. It’s the best possible place for all of you.”

Mike listened, and it was the best decision he could have made. Jackie was admitted to the Windsor Hospice Residence and spent her final two weeks in a place of peace, surrounded by those she loved. “She was able to see everyone she wanted to and spend real, meaningful time with me and the girls,” Mike shares. “Even our dog was able to come and say goodbye.”

Averie remembers how different it felt at Hospice compared to the hospital. “At the hospital, it was hard just to see Mom. Everything was so loud – machines always beeping, people coming and going. At Hospice, it was peaceful. Mom was comfortable, and the staff were so kind.”

In those two weeks, the family created memories they will cherish forever. “We made a beautiful pottery plate together,” Mike says. “It has Jackie’s handprint in the center, with all our fingerprints surrounding it. It’s pretty amazing.”

And the support didn’t stop when Jackie passed. Averie and Adalyn participated in grief counseling through Hospice’s Social Work team.

It was then that Mike and his girls decided as a family that they would be there for Hospice, whenever and wherever they could.

Jackie’s legacy lives on in their commitment to Hospice. Adalyn played in her first Hockey for Hospice tournament while Jackie was in the Residence, and Mike became a volunteer, sharing their story to help others understand the importance of Hospice care.

And when it came time for the Hospice Dove Pin Campaign, there was no question—they were all in.

Last year, Mike, Averie, and Adalyn spent an entire day in front of the Rexall in LaSalle, selling Dove Pins and spreading awareness. “It was actually a fun day,” says Averie. “We had a great time and sold a lot of Dove Pins. And we’re doing it again this year!”

For the Blanchard’s, it’s about more than raising money. It’s about honouring Jackie’s life and ensuring that other families receive the same compassion and care they did. “We live in LaSalle, and Jackie worked at the bank here for years,” says Mike. “This is our way of giving back to the place that gave us so much.”

When asked if they plan to continue volunteering, Adalyn’s answer is simple, yet full of conviction: “YES. For sure with Hospice!”

Jackie would be so proud.