Go Back

Lorena Smalley

ARE YOU PREPARED – Our Journey’s End: Exploring End of Life Options

This November, join us every Thursday afternoon for Are You Prepared?, a four-part series designed to help you stay informed and confident in life’s important matters.

  • Thursday, November 13, 2025
  • 1:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
  • Cafe, Westend Seniors Activity Centre
  • Cost: $3.00 – includes coffee & treats
  • Door prizes, loot bags, and all attendees will receive a variety of resources

HOW TO REGISTER

1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Arrive & Get Settled

ARRIVE EARLY

Sign in and grab a loot bag before you meet the speakers, grab a beverage & snack, and get seated.

1:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Tammy Whittaker, Ember Healthcare

Palliative Homecare

Join Ember Healthcare for a compassionate and informative presentation on Palliative Homecare. This session is designed to help individuals and families understand what palliative care at home truly involves—from the support available to how care is delivered during the final stages of life.

Learn what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make informed decisions that support comfort, dignity, and peace at home. Whether you’re planning ahead or currently navigating this journey with a loved one, this presentation will offer practical guidance, answer common questions, and help you feel more confident and supported through the process.

2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Karen Carruthers, Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board

Regulating Funeral Services with Respect – Empowering you with knowledge

This presentation will provide information on funeral legislation, consumer rights and the role of the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board. Funeral planning and what consumers need to know will be included. The presentation will also touch on common misconceptions that consumers may have regarding funeral services.

Karen Carruthers is the Executive Director of the Alberta Funeral Services Regulatory Board (AFSRB). She has been with the AFSRB for 10 years. Prior to working for the AFSRB, she was a policy advisor and statute administrator with the Government of Alberta for funeral services and cemeteries. Having come from a teaching background, Karen is passionate about education and making sure the public is aware of their rights and responsibilities.

3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Su-Ling Goh, Give Life Alberta

What You Need to Know About Organ and Tissue Donation

Over 90% of Albertans support organ and tissue donation, but few know how to act on their good intentions to help save lives. Give Life Alberta’s Senior Communications Advisor Su-Ling Goh (formerly of Global News) will clear up common misconceptions, explain how to register to be a donor, and share why your family needs to know your donation decision. A transplant recipient will also share their inspiring story.

Su-Ling Goh is the Senior Communications Advisor for Give Life Alberta, Alberta Health Services’ organ and tissue donation program. She proudly joined the team after 17 years as the award-winning Health Reporter at Global Edmonton, where she always felt honoured to share inspirational stories of courageous donor families and grateful recipients.

In her new role with AHS, Su-Ling is encouraging a culture of donation in Alberta through awareness campaigns, community engagement and public education sessions. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta and a diploma in Radio and Television from NAIT.

3:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jason Papirny, Anatomical Gift Program
University of Alberta

The Anatomical Gifts Program

Many people wish to bequeath their body to science, however few people know how to make the necessary arrangements. This presentation will explain how to arrange the donation of your body. The details about what happens at the time of passing and the process till the completion of Medical Education & Research.

Jason Papirny started in the Funeral Industry in 1993 with Hainstocks Funeral Home. In 1995 he began his career at the University of Alberta, Division of Anatomy where he is currently the Program Coordinator for the Anatomical Gifts Program.

4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Wrap Up / Q&A

Wrap Up and final opportunity to meet with guest speakers