Kamloops Hospice is a non-profit Association that received its status as a Society on December 15, 1981. It was the vision of a small group of people that lead to the formation of the Association. It came from a sincere desire to support those diagnosed with a terminal illness. In 1983 the first patient volunteers were trained to assist with clients in the community and since that time we have served thousands of people and their families in Kamloops and the surrounding area by providing community programs and services as well as bereavement support.

One of our founding members, Marjorie Willoughby Snowden, had a dream that one day a free standing Hospice Home would be built in Kamloops. After many years of planning and fundraising that dream became a reality. In 2002 construction was started on our custom six bed home overlooking Peterson Creek Park. At that time we had less than 40% of the required funds in the bank but we were confident we could fundraise while the building was under construction.

On February 16th, 2004 the doors were opened to our first patient.

The Home was named The Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in her honour. Unfortunately Marjorie did not live to see the home open as her journey ended tragically in a car accident in 1996.

It was soon realized that six beds would not adequately serve the community. In 2006 we answered a “Request for Proposal” from Interior Health to build six additional Hospice beds. In 2008 we started expanding our Home to accommodate six additional beds. The Home is funded through the generous donations of many people in and around the community together with fundraising efforts. A portion of the Home is funded through the Interior Health Authority.

A thrift shop, Flutter Buys, was opened in 2001. The proceeds from the store support the programs and services provided by the Kamloops Hospice Association. In 2010, Flutter Buys moved to a new location on Tranquille Road.

The Kamloops Hospice Association continues to expand to meet the needs of our community. A new initiative, called the Casual Comfort Day Program, was introduced in September 2011 and provides clients, living at home with a life threatening disease, an opportunity to relax and socialize on a weekly basis at the Hospice Home.

We continue to look for ways to meet the needs of our community and appreciate the support from the many volunteers and donors throughout the region.