. How do I support someone who is terminally ill?

. How do I find hospice and palliative care services in my area?

. What can I expect when death is near?

Many Canadians don't know where to turn for answers when someone they care about is facing a life-threatening illness - but a website staffed by experts in end of life care is available to help.

With funding from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Health Canada and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, the Canadian Virtual Hospice has launched an expanded website at www.virtualhospice.ca to provide information and support on end-of-life care.

Key resources include:

Ask a Professional: Allows visitors to go online and pose questions to a Health Team that consists of physicians, nurses, a social worker and a spiritual care advisor.

Asked and Answered: Features answers provided by the Health Team to Canadians questions on a variety of topics ranging from dealing with illness and loss to communicating with family, and what to expect at the end-stage of various illnesses. (All identifying information is removed to protect confidentiality.)

Your Stories: Provides an opportunity to celebrate a life, release some deeply felt emotions, and learn from the experiences of others.

Topics: Articles with practical advice on a range of concerns including managing symptoms such as pain, working through grief and spiritual distress, and what to say to children about end of life.

More information including palliative care resources in your area can be found at www.virtualhospice.ca.

- News Canada