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March 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:
As we approach our 10th anniversary since becoming a charity, it is a great opportunity to take stock of where we have come from and the impact that we have been able to make in the Bow Valley. Founded in 2016, our team of passionate volunteers worked to define the space that was needed to support palliative care and hospice in the Bow Valley providing opportunities for education and learning along the way.
As the first members of staff joined the team, programs expanded to include client facing support, welcoming our first client in 2021. Since then, we have received almost 250 referrals of individuals and families in the Bow Valley supported through approximately 4,500 separate interactions with our staff and volunteers. This support has ranged from understanding and navigating diagnoses through to end of life and the grief and bereavement that inevitably accompanies it.
Opportunities for training and education have continued with over 2,500 participants attending approximately 220 separate events.
All of this has been possible thanks to the generosity of time from our dedicated team of volunteers and essential donations from so many of you in the Bow Valley – the true spirit of community.
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The Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care |
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A rendering one of the consult rooms in the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care. |
It is rare for a day to go by when health care is not in the news. The recent restructuring and the continued changes in how the health system operates in the province, adds a new level of complexity to building a facility. One thing that has not changed is the cost of hospice care for those that need it.
When our Centre opens, access to end-of-life hospice care in our Centre will be barrier free. Care will be available to everyone in the Bow Valley, thanks to support from government funding, donations, and our community.
The Centre will also be home for our community programs that will continue to adapt and support needs as and when they develop. This will include our existing programs as well as new initiatives that embrace some of the best practices in other centres, nationally and internationally, and integrating with programs already available in the Bow Valley. Bill Harder is leading this work, mapping out the future direction of our programs, embracing the uniqueness of our Bow Valley community.
Teams are focusing on areas of the Centre and the roles and activities that will take place. This includes how physicians will work in the space and have continuity with the care already available in the community. Nurses and clinical teams will be an essential part of the 24/7 facility, and the facility team will manage everything from nutritious meals to running the day-to-day function of the facility. There’s lots to think about!
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New Canmore Palliative Care Centre
Aims to Keep End-of-Life Close to Home
“It was actually 10 years ago this year, that a group of volunteers got together and decided that we really needed to have a standalone hospice care facility in the Bow Valley.”
Check out our feature article about the Pestell Centre for Compassionate Care in the Rocky Mountain Outlook HERE. |
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 | Kristin Fry has worked with Bow Valley Palliative for five years now and will continue to serve and lend her expertise as Fund Development Officer.
We want to take a moment to express sincere appreciation for all of Kristin’s hard work and dedication to Bow Valley Palliative. Thank you, Kristin, for always supporting the team and helping us move forward with our fundraising goals through professionalism and heart.
Congratulations to five years with BVP, Kristin! |
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Canmore Seniors Association President Joan Quade presenting a donation cheque
to Bow Valley Palliative CEO Theresa Radwell last month. |
Thank You Canmore Seniors Association! |
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! |
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Check This Out:
Support for Living Well at
Any Stage of Serious Illness
Palliative care is for anyone living with a serious illness, at any age and at any stage. It can be provided alongside treatments aimed at curing or managing illness.
It focuses on improving quality of life and helping people live as fully as possible by addressing physical symptoms as well as emotional, psychological, social and spiritual needs. It also supports families and caregivers through the challenges of serious illness. A palliative approach to care can be provided by your family doctor, nurse, or others. If your care needs become more complex, you can be referred to a palliative care specialist for more comprehensive care. Starting the conversation early with your health or social service provider can help you better understand your options and make choices that align with what matters most to you. Learn more from Health Canada’s guide: What to Do When Facing a Serious Illness |
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Follow us on social media for more news and exciting updates! |
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