Bow Valley Palliative

01/11/2026

This past year was shaped by people — clients, families, volunteers, donors, partners, and a community that continues to show up with care and compassion.

Our 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 shares what that collective support made possible: moments of connection, hours of service, programs delivered, milestones reached, and the steady progress toward compassionate palliative care close to home.

We’re sharing a few highlights here, but the full story — including outcomes, finances, volunteer impact, and what’s ahead — lives on our website.

👉 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: https://www.bvpal.ca/resources

Thank you to everyone who walked alongside us this year. Your care truly makes a difference.

01/09/2026

We are looking for an 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 to support leadership, strengthen operations, and help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

If you’re organized, people-focused, and enjoy making a meaningful difference through your work, we’d love to hear from you.

🗓 Applications close: January 23, 2026
🔗 Learn more & apply: www.bvpal.ca/careers

01/08/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠?

This powerful national exhibition brings palliative care research to life through visual storytelling. The Art and Wisdom of a Good Death, launched with CIHR funding by Dr. Sarina Isenberg and team, features works by Canadian artists exploring end-of-life experiences with honesty, care, and depth.

Selected pieces are touring hospices, hospitals, and galleries across Canada — including this exhibition at the Ottawa Art Gallery.

🗓 On now until January 11, 2026
📍 Ottawa Art Gallery – Galerie d’art d’Ottawa

Learn more about the project and artists here:
👉 https://www.isenberglab.com/a-good-death-art-competiton

01/07/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 Avery! 💛

Avery joins Bow Valley Palliative as our new Program Manager, bringing over two decades of experience in public service, trauma-informed practice, and grassroots engagement.

We’re very glad to have you with us!

01/06/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲.

The January Death Café in Canmore offers a welcoming, informal space to talk openly about death and dying — with curiosity, honesty, and connection. These gatherings are hosted by dedicated community volunteers (including some familiar faces from our own volunteer community), and they’ve become a meaningful place for reflection and shared understanding.

Details and registration can be found via the Eventbrite link shared by the hosts here: https://sl1nk.com/EmoDq

01/03/2026

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about the different ways we support our community.

We’re starting with our 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, which offers trained, compassionate support for palliative clients, individuals experiencing grief, and people living with dementia and their caregivers. Sometimes, what’s needed most is a steady presence — someone to listen and walk alongside you.

Learn more here: 👉 https://www.bvpal.ca/programs

12/31/2025

As we head into a new year, we’re holding close the people, moments, and connections that made this year meaningful. Thank you for being part of our community and for the care you bring in so many ways.

Wishing you gentle days ahead. 💛

12/25/2025

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭.

Our Program Manager, Bill Harder, has written three gentle Christmas stories — reflections that offer moments of rest, connection, and warmth during this time of year.

📖 The Disappearing Man: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/c7e2a0f5f5.html
📖 The Man in the Mirror: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/990d342a35.html
📖 The Christmas Miracle: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/6f7367dd1b.html

If you take a moment to read, we’d love to hear which story stayed with you.

12/22/2025

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲.

If you’re grieving — or supporting someone who is — this gentle resource offers simple, compassionate guidance for navigating the season with care.

📄 Read or Download the fact sheet here: https://rb.gy/3lvd1h

Shared with thanks to Doris Zagdanski / My Grief Assist.

12/20/2025

Over the holiday season, our office will be open on select days to continue supporting our community.

If you’re planning to visit, please give us a call ahead of time so we can make sure someone from our team is available to meet with you. We’re happy to connect, accept donations, or answer any questions during this time.

Wishing everyone a gentle and peaceful holiday season. 💛
📞 403-707-7111

12/15/2025

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. Changes in routine, noise, lighting, and busy gatherings can all add extra stress.

This thoughtful article from Alzheimer’s Society UK shares simple, practical ways to make the festive season calmer and more comfortable. Small, gentle adjustments — keeping familiar routines, being mindful around food and drink, and inviting loved ones to take part in decorating in their own way — can make a meaningful difference.

🔗 Read this blog for more tips to help support someone living with dementia:

Christmas means many things to many people—from food, family and festivities, to religious observance and quiet reflection. But for people affected by dementia it can be more difficult. Here are 8 ways you can support people with dementia at Christmas.

12/13/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧. 💛

We appreciate this thoughtful activity shared by The Children's Grief Foundation of Canada, which gently reminds us how creative moments can help children remember, express, and stay connected to those they love.

Holidays can be hard for grieving kids, as they often miss the presence of their loved one(s).

Creating a memory garland is a beautiful way to stay connected! 🎄✨ Kids can cut out shapes like trees, circles, and snowflakes, jotting down or drawing their favourite memories.

Hang it somewhere special like on the Christmas tree, mantle, or wherever brings comfort.

If you give this activity a try, tag us!