Bow Valley Palliative

03/08/2026

Our third 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 highlight recognizes Dr Kathryn Mannix, whose work continues to shape how we understand dying, compassion, and care at the end of life.

As a palliative care physician, Dr Kathryn Mannix has spent more than 30 years caring for people with advanced illness. Through her clinical work, writing, and public talks, she aims to help society better understand dying and encourage open, compassionate conversations about death.
Through her work and her books, she continues to inspire healthcare professionals and the public to approach end-of-life care with honesty, empathy, and understanding.

We had the privilege of hosting Dr Kathryn for a community conversation on compassionate care: https://youtu.be/misqPMIRgSA?si=DBsy5ts5HG3e0pAe

03/08/2026

Our second 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 highlight recognizes 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫, whose work is helping transform how we talk about serious illness and palliative care.

𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 is a Canadian palliative care physician, educator, and advocate for improving conversations about serious illness and end-of-life care. She works to help patients, families, and healthcare professionals better understand palliative care and make informed decisions that align with their values.

As co-author of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest, and co-host of the Waiting Room Revolution podcast, she which encourages honest, compassionate discussions about living well while planning for future healthcare needs.

We had the privilege of hosting Dr. Sammy Winemaker for a community conversation on palliative care:
🔗 https://youtu.be/obrYogfNp5U?si=e-_w0K-wZju_cmHr

03/08/2026

Today, on 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲, we are highlighting a few remarkable women whose leadership has shaped the field of palliative care and continues to inspire compassionate care around the world. Throughout the day we will share three posts recognizing influential voices whose work reminds us why dignity, compassion, and human connection matter at the end of life.

Our first post honours 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬, founder of the modern hospice movement.

Dame Cicely Saunders (1918–2005) was a nurse, social worker, and physician who founded the modern hospice movement. Recognizing that end-of-life suffering includes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects, she introduced the concept of “𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧”. Through her work, she transformed how the world cares for people at the end of life, laying the foundation for modern palliative care.

03/07/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 raised $1,275.00 at their Christmas Dinner Raffle in support of Bow Valley Palliative.

Thank you for your donation and for believing in Bow Valley Palliative's impact. Community support like this keeps us moving forward and reminds us why our work matters.

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥!

03/06/2026

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

In this edition, we share updates & progress on the 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞, upcoming programs including 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝟏𝟎𝟏: 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, community connections, and reflections on living well alongside serious illness.

If you would like to stay connected with our programs, updates, and stories from the Bow Valley, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.

Bow Valley Palliative February 2026 Newsletter

03/01/2026

Our volunteers Valerie and Jackie are part of the hosting team for this meaningful community gathering at Banff Public Library.

Death Cafe offers a safe, welcoming space to talk openly about death — the things we understand, the things we don’t, and the conversations we don’t always know how to start.

If you’re curious, reflective, or simply open to meaningful dialogue, this evening is for you.

📍 Banff Public Library | 📅 March 12, 2026

Register Here: https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2026/03.-march/death-cafe?id=1773364500-1033159

02/27/2026

Grief changes us. It reshapes how we see the world, ourselves, and the people we love. It isn’t about “moving on” — it’s about learning how to live forward.

In our upcoming workshop 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝟏𝟎𝟏: 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, we’ll explore how grief can become part of our story in ways that deepen understanding, resilience, and compassion.

Join us for an evening of conversation and reflection.
🔗 Register at https://www.bvpal.ca/events/grief-101-grief-as-transformation

02/22/2026

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡. Diets high in sodium are linked to high blood pressure — one of the key risk factors associated with dementia.

Reducing highly processed foods and choosing fresh, homemade options when possible is one simple step toward lowering risk.

Learn more about reducing the risk of dementia:
🔗 Canada.ca/dementia

02/18/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞

Thanks to the generosity of our early donors, we’re ready to begin construction of the 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞. As we move forward, continued community support will help us open the doors and welcome the Bow Valley.

Read the full February update on our Pestell Centre page: https://www.bvpal.ca/centre

02/16/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — the people we’re born into, the people we choose, and the people who walk beside us when life feels heavy.

Today, we honour connections in all its forms. 💛
May we all feel seen, supported, and surrounded by care — wherever we are on our journey.

02/15/2026

We’re sharing this excellent 𝐃𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 offered by Hospice Calgary. These free winter sessions explore practical and thoughtful topics around end-of-life, caregiving, resilience, and comfort in advanced illness.

If this feels relevant to you, your family, or someone you support, we encourage you to learn more and register.

🔗 hospicecalgary.ca/education/dyingtoknow/

02/14/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 — 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.💛

This Valentine’s Day, we honour the quiet, powerful act of caring for one another. Compassion makes a difference — today and every day.