Near North Palliative Care folks getting set for live butterfly release

Near North Palliative Care Network
News Release

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The Near North Palliative Care Network will be hosting its third annual live butterfly release at the North Bay waterfront’s Kiawanis’ Bandshell on Sunday July 22nd this year, from 11am to 1pm.

Participants will have the opportunity to sponsor a butterfly and release it in honour and memory of a loved one who has passed away.

Senator Sharon Carstairs stated that: “Canadians rarely discuss death and end-of-life, let alone accept them as natural stages of life. Yet the inescapable fact remains that the mortality rate for humans is 100%”1. While the end of life is inevitable, the Near North Palliative Care Network hopes that events like the live butterfly release can help society approach mortality in a better way. The aim of palliative care is to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living and dying, by providing care love and support for the loved one receiving end-of-life care and their family.

André Cotterall, Executive Director at NNPCN, explains what the release of butterflies symbolizes: “A butterfly represents freedom and happiness. It is our sincere hope that the release of a butterfly will be an opportunity for loved ones to alleviate some of the grief they are experiencing over the loss of a loved one. The idea being that when you see a Monarch butterfly, it will provide positive memories of the loved one that will bring some happiness and comfort.”

The butterflies are delivered in especially tailored packages. These dark and cool conditions keep the butterflies in a comfortable resting state until the day of the release. Once the package is opened the natural heat and light will awaken these sleeping beauties and inspire them to take flight. On the day of the event the names of the loved ones will be read aloud along with a few inspirational readings and afterwards everyone will release each of their butterflies in unison. The event will also include musical performances and a BBQ hosted by the Widdifield Lions Club.

Individuals can reserve a butterfly to release until July 6th by contacting the Near North Palliative Care Network at 705-497-9239, or going to their website at www.nnpcn.com for more information. Sponsorship is $30 for each butterfly or four butterflies for $100. With close to 300 butterflies sold last year, we hope to surpass that amount with this year’s event. All funds raised from the Live Butterfly Release will go to support Near North Palliative Care’s work providing bereavement and palliative support.

The Near North Palliative Care Network is a not-for-profit organization that has been active in the region for over 20 years. Its volunteers offer palliative care and bereavement support at no cost to a wide range of Near North residents every year.

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