Hospice Society North of Calgary Unveils New Name

CARDS — Olds & District Hospice Society is no more.

Its name is now Mountain View Hospice Society (MVHS), which provides end-of-life services to people throughout the county and surrounding urban centers.

MVHS chief executive Mary Marshall made the announcement on Sunday, May 5, as the society held its annual hospice drive in Olds and Didsbury.

This was not the only announcement.

Marshall also said there was a good chance a hospice suite could be set up in Didsbury in the near future.

He said Albertan the suite “could be done as early as June, but we're waiting for directions from Alberta Health Services.”

During the interview, Marshall said the Hike for Hospice, part of a nationwide hike, raised more than $35,000 for the community, surpassing their goal of $20,000.

However, in theory, this is not a record for the organization.

One year, he raised $40,000, but Marshall noted that half of that money came from a $20,000 donation.

Marshall said the society raised $28,000 last year.

According to Marshall, 125 to 130 people participated in this year's Olds Walk, which, as usual, started and ended at Holy Trinity Catholic School. Around 25 people took part in the walk in Didsbury.

Last year a total of 103 people took part in Olds and 20 in Didsbury.

Marshall said the Didsbury walk raised about $2,500. The rest of the money was raised in Olds.

Two big factors in the amount of money raised this year were donations from volunteer Jim Stone, who raised $5,100, and Sally Gascon, 72, who had her head shaved by retired RCMP officer Jeff Mercier at Holy Trinity Gym after raising more than $6,700.

Mercier shaved Gascon about 30 years ago.

He currently lives in Edmonton, but served with the Olds RCMP detachment for a total of eight years.

“I thought it was for a good cause, so I came from Edmonton,” he said.

According to Gascon, he has shaved his head seven times since 2002 and has raised a total of about $87,000 for cancer.

She said she was motivated to raise money for cancer when she saw children who wanted to be in the hospital room with their grandfather but were not allowed to be in the hospital.

“It broke my heart because they couldn't get into the room and these little grandchildren are knocking on the window to talk to their grandfather,” she said.

Gascon's friends from Germany, Britta and Richard Pallor, and Wolfgang Peinemann, along with Olds, also attended the event.

In addition to Gascon and Stone's efforts, Marshall believes more money was raised this year because the hospice community did a better job of getting the word out about the event early.

This year there were many sponsors.

“We had six,” he said.

“Our community is amazing and I think we're getting more exposure in the community and people really want to support our services and programs,” Marshall said.

Another impressive aspect of this year's Hike For Hospice was the formation of three teams to raise funds and support Donna Heck, who was terminally ill five years ago.

“He beat the odds,” Marshall said.

“But now the cancer has spread and he is nearing the end of his life and uses our hospice suite, so it has been very difficult.

“He's a great member of the community. She was simply amazing, ma'am. He brought so much goodness and kindness to our community and there are so many people who support him.”

This year's theme was superheroes. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual and team costume.

Marshall was asked if that was a factor in turnout.

“I think it's encouraged more families to come out, which is great,” he wrote in an email.

Speaking in the gymnasium, Marshall joined MVHS President Harvey Walsh and Olds Mayor Judy Dall to invite people to the event and thank them for their participation.

“We bless all of you dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and skills without personal gain,” Dahl said.

“As we continue to support the Hospice Society's activities, it is our strong community spirit that inspires hope for the future.”
“I think we can consider it a success story,” Marshall said Albertan.

Now we have the first golf classic coming out on June 13th.