This is a special edition of PumpTalk – brought to you by the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation. Today’s post is written by Leila Fenc, Executive Director, Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation.

This April, we invite you to #ShineALight on family caregivers* with the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation

Did you know that more than eight million Canadians provide unpaid emotional, social and financial support to ill, injured, disabled and aging loved ones?

Family caregivers in Canada make up over 75 per cent of all patient care in Canada and they often feel overwhelmed, overworked, and unsupported for the tireless work they do every day. Family caregivers spend an average of 19 hours per week caregiving in addition to paid work and other family commitments.

Kicking off on April 5, National Caregiver Day, the CareMakers Foundation is working to shine a light on the important work of caregivers throughout the month of April.

How can Canadians get involved?

Shine a Light to support caregivers in your workplace, family and community:

1. Through your social media networks, post a message online about a caregiver you know or why caregiving is important to you. Use #ShineALight #CareMakers and tag @petrocanadacaremakers on Instagram or @PCCareMakers on Twitter.
2. Visit caremakers.ca to make a donation that helps fund resources, support and programs for caregivers across Canada.

Since launching in 2020, the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation has already awarded national grants totalling $1.7 million and local grants totalling more than $500,000 this year. The funds are used to support critical programs and resources for caregivers. I’ve seen firsthand the importance of these grants and thank you for your support.

Join us in acknowledging the essential work that family caregivers do across Canada and letting them know that we see and support them. Help us #ShineALight on family caregivers.

*Family caregivers are family, friends, and neighbours who provide unpaid emotional, social and financial support to ill, injured, disabled and aging loved ones.