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 | September 2026 Newsletter
At Bow Valley Palliative, our mission is to provide compassionate, individualized palliative care and grief support to individuals and families throughout the Bow Valley. |
A Note From Our CEO
For the younger members of our community and those that work with and support them, September is the start of a new year. Leaving behind the days of summer, enjoying the sunshine and spending time with family and friends, the return to ‘early’ mornings, structure and the need to focus, can be quite daunting.
Change can be difficult for us all and can take time to come to terms with. As many of you know, I have decided that I am ready for change and a new beginning. On September 24th, I will be retiring from my role as CEO. After four incredible years, I will be turning my focus towards my family and the opportunity to explore this incredible country I now call home. What has been achieved over my time here has been significant in large part to our team, Board, volunteers, loyal donors, and supporters. The future is just as exciting. We are in an excellent position to fulfill our vision for palliative care in the Bow Valley. Although I will no longer be CEO, BVP and the work that we do has a very special place in my heart. I will continue to be engaged and follow the progress as we embark on the construction and fundraising campaign. The time is right for a new leader.
As our Board embarks on conversations with those interested, I am delighted to welcome James McAra as the interim CEO. James started in his role with BVP on September 8th to give us time to work together and ensure a smooth handover. As you will see below, James brings a breadth of experience and knowledge from his work within and outside of non-profits and is an ideal person to maintain the momentum and progress until a permanent CEO begins. Welcome, James!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and friendship over the last four years. I have learned so much from those I have met and worked alongside and it has been an absolute privilege to have been in this role. Thank you ❤️
| | The Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care |  | Photo from the work being started on the land of the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care. | This week marks a truly monumental moment in the journey of the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care as construction begins with our construction partner, CANA construction.
For years, this Centre has been a vision shared by so many in our community – a vision of a place where individuals and families throughout the Bow Valley can receive compassionate care and grief support close to home. Reaching this point has taken years of planning, perseverance, and collaboration, – including support from our donors, volunteers, board, staff, and community partners. Seeing construction begin is an incredibly meaningful milestone for all of us.
As we move forward, our focus is on our $30 million campaign. Alongside this campaign, we have applied for several government and community grants for both capital funding as well as programs and services. Our goal is not simply to construct a building, but to create a sustainable home for palliative care, grief support and bereavement programs, caregiver support and other services for individuals and families throughout the Bow Valley.
We are excited to share this next chapter with our community and will be offering opportunities to tour the site and see the progress firsthand. If you would like to arrange a tour, please reach out to Michelle Rhode at micheller@bvpal.ca. There is still much work ahead, but after years of dedication and support, it is incredible meaningful to see the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care become a reality. | |  |  | Congratulations to our winning 2026 Golf for Hospice team - Amanda, Austin, Ben, Brad, and Coach Don! | |
| New Faces at Bow Valley Palliative! | James McAra - Interim CEO
James McAra's career in community leadership spans more than three decades and stretches across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories, including time living and working in a small northern community early in his career. Over the years, he has led, volunteered with, and helped start several small nonprofit organizations, alongside running one of Calgary's largest social service agencies and always with an eye toward building something lasting.
“I am super excited to be trusted by the Board to help ensure a successful transition in the life of BVP. The organization has such a strong legacy of passionate community focus and engagement, evident in the incredible commitment of its volunteers and the impact they are able to achieve alongside a fantastic, dedicated, and small but mighty staff team. I feel very fortunate to be joining BVP at such an important time in its journey and look forward to supporting the team, building on the strong foundation already in place, and helping position BVP well for its next chapter."
| Sage Clarke
Fund Development Coordinator
Sage is joining the team with a background in community service, relationship building, and supporting people through important life transitions. Sage has worked with the Town of Canmore for six years, most recently as Parks and Cemetery Coordinator, Sage worked closely with local families and community members, experiences that strengthened her appreciation for compassionate care, meaningful connection, and the importance of community support.
Having called Canmore home for the past nine years, Sage is excited to continue serving the Bow Valley in a new way by helping support an organization that makes such a difference for individuals and families in our community.
| | 6-Week Community Grief Support Group
Explore key aspects of the experience of grief
Bow Valley Palliative and Covenant Health are collaborating together to bring a in-person 6 session grief support series. We’ll look at tools for navigating sorrow including the use of ritual, naming non-death losses, the role of forgiveness, and others. Participants may enroll in all six sessions or select those topics of most interest.
The Sessions will be held in-person from 6:30-8:30pm on September 23, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, and December 2.
There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is recommended.
|  | The first session of the series we explore the Five Gates of Grief, A way to name loss and experience grief developed by the psychotherapist and author Francis Weller. These gates open pathways into the many layers of sorrow we carry. From personal loss, unmet longing, and ancestral pain to the grief we hold for the world itself. Together, we’ll gently navigate these landscapes of emotion and discover how grief, when honored, can become a source of connection, meaning, and inner strength.
This session will also include creative approaches to healing, such as:
- Developing ritual and ceremony to help hold and express grief
- A guided Healing Meditation designed to support emotional integration
- Practices that cultivate grounding, compassion, and inner peace Whether your grief is fresh or long-carried, you are welcome in this space.
Come as you are, and allow yourself to be held by community, self-reflection, and the possibility of renewal. Date: September 23, 2026 Time: 6:30 PM -8:30 PM Facilitator: Rabbi Rick Kline Location: Banff Mineral Springs Hospital - 305 Lynx St, Banff, AB | | | | | Follow us on social media for more news and exciting updates! | | |
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