The summer months are crucial for Sunset Palliative Care in Portage la Prairie.

Volunteer Coordinator Aldene Moroz says this is when their expenses begin to mount, and donations often drop off.

She stresses they don't ask for families to provide funds for palliative care, so they need the help of businesses and individuals.

"We do provide education and programming to the families," she says, "As well as other people in the community. We also have conferences that have to paid for, that our volunteers must attend. We have books that have to be bought continuously. We cannot pass the books from family to family because of infectious control. We run a lean budget, but we do need at least $40,000 a year."

Moroz adds once they're contacted, Sunset Palliative Care provides services right away.

"Providing respite services to them," she outlines, "Sitting with them either in their homes, when family member can't be there -- or in the hospital, there's someone that the client can talk to. Many people do not want to burden their families with the fears that they're having at that time, and sometimes, they just need that person who is impartial."

You can find more information on Sunset Palliative Care on Friday, when they hold an awareness barbecue at the Portage Co-op on Saskatchewan Avenue, from 11 am until 1:30 pm.