The annual Hike for Hospice Hustle is a tradition for many in the Foothills, including 83-year-old Margaret Thiessen of High River.
Thiessen is gearing up for her fourth hike on May 4, 2025, and has raised over $20,000 since first joining the event in 2019.
After participating again in 2023 and 2024, this is set to be her last, at least when it comes to walking in the hike itself.
Thiessen set out on her first hike in 2019 following two devastating personal losses.
"In 2017, my beloved niece Angelina Hall passed. Then in 2018, the love of my life, Leo Coss, passed away," said Thiessen. "I was seeing my awesome counsellor, Jonathan, at Oilfields Hospital. He said he had no answers as to why, except that God had another plan for me. It was then I said I knew what it was. My thought process was, if I could help others, it may lessen my pain."
She went on to walk five kilometres in her first hike, and she raised $2,176.
Unfortunately, in 2021, she suffered two more losses.
"My beloved daughter, Wanda Kilmuri, passed away with cancer at age 57. Then, five months later, on December 5th, my beloved son, Doug Kilmuri, lost his life to type 1 diabetes at age 50 years. Part of my heart and soul was gone. However, I knew I couldn't give up. Their precious memories had to be kept alive," said Thiessen.
"With my faith walking with me, I once again chose to walk for the Country Hospice in 2023. It gave me the strength and spirit to carry on. Each year, all my angels walk with me."
Thiessen raised over $5,800 in 2023, more than doubling the amount from her first year, and in 2024, she brought in over $10,000 for the hospice.
She recalls being a little apprehensive about requesting donations and sponsorships at first, but she's since found the fun in it.
"For the first year, I just went basically to stores that I knew. And then each year I went, I got a little bit braver and spread my wings some more. So now, I've been in some of the bars, I've been in the vape stores, I've been to grocery stores, you name it."
She's consistently blown away by the generosity found in the Foothills, though she does find the hospice easy to advocate for.
"People have been just phenomenal in a time where the economy isn't well, people are so giving. And the more of them that learn about the hospice, the better it is because the numbers add up a lot quicker then."
The hike itself is always a joy for Thiessen, as it accommodates runners, joggers, and walkers alike.
"There was a lot, a lot of walkers last year. Some have the choice to run if they want, and they can bring their children and their pets, and many do. It's just a real fun kind of day. The best we can wish for is some sunshine and no rain or snow. We go rain or snow. It doesn't matter. We still walk it. The day will be what you make of it, rain or shine."
Though this is the final year Thiessen intends to walk in the Hike for Hospice, she does intend to continue fundraising for the event each year.
She's also looking at volunteering at the hospice over the summer.
Thiessen recalls that at first, she had difficulty bringing herself to visit the hospice due to the losses she had suffered herself.
Once she was given a tour of the facility, she said she was taken aback.
"It's such a beautiful, well-furnished home. Very well kept, beautiful pictures on the walls. Just the other day, when I was there, they had, I believe it was a grand piano that was donated. There was a lady playing it, and it was just so much like a very pleasant, well-cared-for home. I've heard nothing but beautiful stories of the people that are living there in their last days of life and how they're treated, how they honour them with their last wishes in life. It's just absolutely phenomenal."
For Thiessen, what began as a way to cope with unimaginable grief has become a mission of purpose, community, and healing.
"When you can bring some type of happiness or closure in a person's life, it really makes you feel good too. It really does. I've been with quite a few relatives and my beloved daughter. And you learn to deal with things. We all know that at some point in time, we'll have to. So it's nice when you can kind of get used to what you're going to face down the road, and this beautiful building and the people in it are a good way to start."
The ninth annual Hike for Hospice Hustle is scheduled for May 4, 2025, and registration is open until May 1.
This year's fundraising goal is $80,000.