Grief can be overwhelming, driving us to seek comfort in the memories of those we’ve lost. For Chuck Salmon, this search led him to the annual Hike for Hospice, a trail where memories are honoured and healing begins.
Over the past 35 years, Chuck’s life has been profoundly shaped by Victoria Hospice, which provided both dignity and compassionate support to his loved ones in their final days. His first wife, Lorna, fought a devastating battle with metastasized breast cancer. She passed away in 1992, supported by our Palliative Response Team (PRT) and surrounded by love—a gift his family will never forget. Years later, his friend and neighbour Lorraine White, who shared Chuck’s own diagnosis of multiple myeloma, found similar comfort at Victoria Hospice during her final days in 2022.
Hospice care extended even further, bringing solace to more members of Chuck’s circle. This included his former parents-in-law, Mavis and Duff Dallin; his cousin Suzanne Ryall; and his dear friend, Jack Law.
Grief, as Chuck knows, doesn’t end with a goodbye. It lingers in the quiet, in the moments when absence feels most acute. For Chuck, the annual Hike for Hospice is a help. Each step on the path is a tribute to Lorna, Lorraine, and all those whose lives were eased by compassionate end-of-life and palliative care.
“Nature can replace the pain of loss,” Chuck reflects. “And hiking can be exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. Just like grief and connection can coexist.”
On May 4, as he walks, Chuck will carry not only his memories but also the weight of others’ stories—the friends made along the journey, the shared connections of resilience, the understanding that grief, though isolating, can also bring us together.
Hike for Hospice is more than a fundraising event. It’s an enduring testament to love. Every dollar raised helps families navigate their most challenging times with compassion. For Chuck, as long as he can walk, he’s determined to keep hiking, keep giving his time, and keep honouring the legacy of those he’s loved and lost along the way.
You can support Chuck and his Goldstream 161 team by donating to their fundraising goal here.