The Lindsay Rachel Giacomelli Memorial Fund was established in Lindsay’s name as a memorial to her short life (June 18, 1984 to March 18, 2005). The goal of the fund is to keep Lindsay’s name and presence alive and to reflect her generous and caring spirit. The principle amount remains in the fund forever, and each year 5% from the fund is donated to a Calgary area charity as designated by my wife and me.
The donation for 2008 was made to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, in support of the Rotary/Flames House, Alberta’s first hospice for children, and only the 6th hospice for children in North America. This facility was built next to the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
Each year over 400 families in Alberta find themselves in desperate need of specialized support to help them care for their children with life-threatening illness. While these children do not necessarily require hospitalization, they still have complex medical needs. This means families are responsible for caring for their children at home, 24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week. Rotary/Flames House will give these families the professional support they need, and the opportunity to recharge mentally and physically, with the comfort of knowing their children are in good hands. Rotary/Flames House offers specialized care to these families, including:
Respite Care - 24 hour care of children on a temporary basis to allow their families time for rest and renewal
Transition Care - services for children with terminal illnesses who can leave the hospital
Symptom Management – helping the child and family deal with illness progression
End of Life Care - comprehensive services for both child and family during the last hours or days of a child's life
The 20,000 square foot, two-storey facility is designed to look and feel like a home, offering families an intimate residential setting. There are 11 bedrooms for children, two family suites and a sunroom, all with windows so families can enjoy an outside view and the many benefits of natural light. There are also therapeutic activity areas, a living room, a kitchen, den, rumpus room and rec room.
