Our Mission
At Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society, we support seniors, individuals, and their families to receive compassionate programs, education, and advocacy to improve quality of life from diagnosis to dying and grieving.
- We are a voice for the community
- We are an ear to public need
- We are a hand in action
Our Purpose
- To create and deliver specialized programming for terminally ill individuals and their loved ones.
- To facilitate compassionate end-of-life care for community members with terminal illnesses and support for their families.
- Work to reinforce support networks of health care teams, caregivers, family, friends, and neighbours to improve end-of-life care.
- Strengthen and promote the education of healthcare professionals and volunteers who deliver end-of-life care.
- Creating a cultural shift in how death and dying are talked by educating what palliative care is and how it can positively impact people’s lives.
- Promote increased awareness of Palliative Care in our Region.
- Advocate for End-of-Life Care Resources in our community and Region.
- Provide leadership to small palliative care organizations to develop capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative Care is a specialized client-centred end-of-life care involving comfort measures. It aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of living and dying.
Palliative Care supports people living with life-threatening illnesses. It provides care for patients and their loved ones to meet each individual’s needs, such as:
- Medical
- Psychological
- Social
- Spiritual
- Practical
Where is care provided?
Care can be provided at home, in hospitals, in nursing homes, or in free standing hospices.
Palliative care considers that dying is an important part of living. It is essential to manage pain and other symptoms effectively so that those facing death can devote their energies not to fighting physical discomfort, but to embrace the time they have left with their loved ones.
What programs and services does Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society provide?
- Comfort Care Bags
- Companioning Through Grief
- ML Clarkson Bursary
- Nav-CARE
- One-time Emergency Funding
- Sheepskin Loaner
- Training Opportunities
- Virtual Care
- Virtual Pen Pal
- Volunteering
GPPCS is always looking for opportunities to increase awareness of palliative care in our community and region.
GPPCS Events Committee works in the region to increase awareness of palliative care. Service clubs, organizations, and groups may contact us at [email protected] to request us to attend a meeting to present.
We provide financial support for LEAP Training and volunteer training.
Information booths are set up in the community to provide information to the general public
We network with other agencies and societies to ensure they are aware of the services offered to best suit the needs of their clients.
GPPCS advocates for end-of-life care resources in our community and region.
Please contact our office at [email protected] for more information.
Is there any cost to your programs or services?
How is Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society funded?
Are you located in the Prairie Lakes Hospice?
Can I have a volunteer visit a loved one at home?
About Us
At Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society, we support seniors, individuals and their families to receive compassionate programs, education, and advocacy to improve quality of life from diagnosis to dying and grieving.
- We are a voice for the community
- We are an ear to public need
- We are a hand in action
Meet our Staff
Hope McNally
Executive Director
Hope’s passion for Palliative Care started from an early age when she was involved in caring for her grandmother and father. She realized the importance of it and wanted to make a change on how society views death at end-of-life.
Throughout the years, Hope has had many achievements in the healthcare community, from starting her own end-of-life home care with her mother, to working at the Spirit River Hospital for 19 years.
Hope has been through many roles within GPPCS, including Volunteer Coordinator, Program Director, and in 2020 achieved the role of Executive Director. Her main focus is to build a standard palliative care framework in Northwest Alberta. To advocate compassionate end-of-life care for community members, both in Grande Prairie and the surrounding area.
Dylan Lambert
Fundraising/Media Manager
Dylan came to Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society in 2021 as our Office Administrator. With her passion for Social Media and phenomonal event planning skills, she soon became our new Fundraising/Media Manager.
Losing her mother to an illness at a young age was difficult for her to overcome, but gave her a deeper understanding of grief and how important Palliative Care can be for not just the client but their loved ones as well.
Since being with GPPCS Dylan has expanded our reach in the community, spreading education on our programs and services so we can help individuals sooner in their end-of-life journey. She has also helped develop programs and events for grieving individuals.
Jancey Dolen
Program Director
A bit about me, I am happily married, a mother to two amazing humans, a dog lover, and a social worker with a passion for mental well-being. I have over a decade of experience in the healthcare field, working in a variety of roles for private clinics, cancer care, addiction and mental health, and staffing services.
I am passionate about improving palliative care, specifically regarding treating our clients with a holistic approach. I believe that while we may not be able to change the ultimate outcome of disease progression, we can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals and their families by incorporating a universal approach to care. That care needs to include the physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual aspects of their lives.
Due to my personal experiences as a caregiver, the loss of loved ones, and my own cancer diagnosis, I have a special connection to the field of grief and loss. My experiences have given me a better understanding of how to support individuals who are in similar situations.
Creating, supporting, and promoting resources and programs that foster well-being and healing for patients and caregivers is part of growing stronger, compassionate communities. I look forward to supporting our community members, young and old, to live their best lives from the time of diagnosis through to end-of-life and bereavement.
The Board of Directors
Maria Edwards
Board Chair
Hetti Huls
Vice Chair
Marlin Lucuk
Treasurer
Robert Belanger
Secretary
Laura Gray
Director
Kristen Yaceyko
Director
Tina McLean
Director
Margaret Kosabeck
Director
Kelsi Hill
Director
Jennifer Ireson
Director
Monica Dunn
Director
Tracy Hunter-Heartt
Director