A Healing Journey

After losing both her children within a five- month period in 2021, Margaret A. Thiessen was at a low point in her life when she picked up a copy of the newspaper and saw the Hike for Hospice Foothills ad.

“I picked up the paper, saw the advertisement for the hospice walk and I laid it down, put my shoes on, came over and entered,” she said.

For Thiessen, her hike started early. She didn’t just register as a participant, with

the support of her friends and neighbours Thiessen began her own fundraising campaign in support of Foothills Country Hospice Society (FCHS) and the Hike for Hospice.

A friend of Thiessen’s from Stavely, Alta. got the process started with the first

$20 donation.

“I was just driven to bring in lots of funds to help someone else’s life be better,” she said, “and in that process it was also very healing for me.”

Thiessen’s support for FCHS came from both her personal loss and participation in the 2019 Hike for Hospice.

“I had met staff members here before and I was given a tour of this beautiful facility,” said Thiessen, “and had my dear daughter lived longer with her cancer we had talked about her coming here.”

With the decision to support FCHS made, Thiessen went out and started talking

to people and local businesses.

“I just talked to people I knew,” she said.

Those conversations paid off. The support from the Foothills community amazed Thiessen.

“It was absolutely awesome the way I was treated by people, I am so proud, humble and happy for the outcome,” she said.

With her team of sponsors behind her, Thiessen raised $5,826.99 for FCHS.

"I'm just ecstatic at what was brought in," she said.

Our Wonderful Hospice Needs a Hand

To raise some funds, as soon as we can.

At 81 years, I am here to walk,

So please come on over and let's have a talk.

I've been there to visit a time or two

The staff are great and the view is too!

What better place "to rest in peace"

Before we leave when trials cease.

~ Margaret A. Thiessen ~

Congratulations to FCHS long time employees, from left, Chelsey (10 years), Kelly (15 years), and Annie (15 years). Thank you all for being so special, talented and fun to work with.