Butterfly Bereavement Project Art Exhibit Will Be Back at Headwaters Health Care Centre This November in Recognition of National Grief & Bereavement Days

The annual art exhibit is an opportunity to honour and remember those we have loved and lost, and acknowledge our community members in their grief and bereavement journey

ORANGEVILLE, ON (November 5, 2024) – In recognition of National Grief and Bereavement Day, and National Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Bethell Hospice, in collaboration with Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team (HOHC OHT) and Headwaters Health Care Centre, is pleased to announce this year’s Butterfly Bereavement Project. This year’s art exhibit returns to Headwaters Health Care Centre with more than 2,000 butterflies on display. The butterflies, created by Dufferin and Caledon residents, represent the hope and transformation experienced by those in their grief and bereavement journey. They also serve as a reminder to care for those grieving their loved ones. 

“Bethell Hospice is so proud that the Butterfly Project launched in 2022 has taken off and spread across the entire regions of Caledon and Dufferin. This art Installation is a testament to the fact that grief touches us all,” said Margaret Paan, Executive Director, Bethell Hospice. “As the only Hospice in the Hills of Headwaters, we are further able to reach out and support the grief and bereavement needs of the community. We are thankful for the partnership of the many community organizations and members who have contributed to make this possible,” added Paan.

The butterflies are the product of a year-long campaign by Bethell Hospice as part of HOHC OHT’s Grief and Bereavement Working Group. This involves bringing together members of the community who may be grieving a loved one or friend and honour them through the creation of personalized vellum butterflies. As of October 1, 2024, hospice palliative care, grief and bereavement, and community services have come together under one hospice provider for all of Dufferin County, Caledon, and surrounding areas. 

“The Butterfly Bereavement Project has become a passion project for the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team’s Grief and Bereavement Working Group. The group’s dedication to raising awareness of the grief and bereavement journey in our community is clear by the success of this grassroots project,” said Dave Pearson, Executive Director, Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team. “The art exhibit continues to creatively demonstrate how grief affects those in our community, every year more and more butterflies are on display. We are proud to support this work in collaboration with our community partners and look forward to how this will continue to evolve,” added Pearson.

In collaboration with several community partners, such as Caledon Meals on Wheels, Caledon Public Library and Orangeville Public Library, more than 2,000 butterflies have been decorated and collected to be part of the Butterfly Project art exhibit. 

“Headwaters is pleased to host the 2024 Butterfly Bereavement Project once again within our beautiful Ambulatory Care hallway,” said Kim Delahunt, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre. “As a hospital, and together with our health systems partners, we are enmeshed in the grief and bereavement journeys of our patients and community. In addition, as a workshop site for more custom butterfly creations during National Bereavement Month, Headwaters is proud to offer both a physical and symbolic space to express and process bereavement,” added Delahunt.

Throughout November, the Dufferin/Caledon community is invited to admire the array of personalized paper butterflies on display at Headwaters’ Ambulatory Care wing. For more information on the Butterfly Bereavement Project, visit https://hillsofheadwaterscollaborative.ca/bereavement-services/. 
 

Bethell Hospice provides compassionate, respectful 24-hour care in our hospice residence in Inglewood, ON to enhance the quality of life for individuals facing a life-limiting illness and their families. Hospice services are an essential component of our health care system, focusing on individualized care and comfort. Bethell Hospice also offers a range of community programs and services for individuals still residing in their own homes. Dignity and comfort are the cornerstones of care at Bethell Hospice. We welcome people of all backgrounds, cultures, and religions. All services and programs are provided at no cost. There are no fees to stay at Bethell Hospice, or to participate in any of our community programs, and no one is ever denied care due to their financial situation. Bethell Hospice is a proud partner in the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team. For more information on Bethell Hospice, visit https://bethellhospice.org/. 

Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team (HOHC OHT) is a local partnership consisting of patients, physicians, health, social and municipal agencies with the shared purpose of creating one community, working together to improve the health and well-being of everyone who lives and provides care across Dufferin-Caledon since 2019. HOHC OHT was among the first 24 OHTs in the province to implement a new model of organizing and delivering health care. The OHT was the recipient of a Bright Lights Award from the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario in October 2021 in the category of ‘Demonstrating a Community Response During COVID-19 for going above and beyond to care for the community it serves. HOHC OHT is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario. To learn more about HOHC OHT, visit hillsofheadwaterscollaborative.ca. 

Headwaters Health Care Centre is an innovative hospital located in Orangeville, Ontario dedicated to quality patient-centred care together with our community in Dufferin County-Caledon. In addition to providing acute and complex continuing care with a 24/7 Emergency Department, and extensive Ambulatory Care outpatient services, Headwaters is accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada, certified as a Breast Assessment Centre by the Ontario Breast Screening Program, and will be offering MRI services in 2025. Headwaters is also a proud partner in the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team. Learn more visit headwatershealth.ca and support the hospital at hhccfoundation.com  

Media Contacts:

Kelly Stronach
Bethell Hospice Foundation
905-838-3534, extension 2249
416-720-7345 (cell)
kstronach@bethellhospice.org

Michelle Petch Gotuzzo
Hills of Headwaters Collaborative 
519-278-5219
mpetchgotuzzo@headwatershealth.ca

Valerie Bentley-Lam
Headwaters Health Care Centre
(519) 278-0380
vlambentley@headwatershealth.ca