DYING TO KNOW
OCTOBER 19, 2024
9:30 A.M. — 4 P.M.
St. Andrew’s Kitchener
54 Queen Street N.
Kitchener, ON N2H 2H2
One more week until Dying to Know 2024!
Join us for a Dying to Know Day on Oct. 19th from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. We have invited key members of our community to bring you the practical information about death, dying and grief that you asked for. We are also excited to welcome two keynote speakers: Yvonne Heath, author of “Love Your Life to Death”, and Dr. Kathryn Mannix, author of “With the End in Mind.”
Livestreaming: We’re happy to announce that we will be livestreaming the presentations by our two keynote speakers this year. All registrants will receive a link they can use to experience the event from home.
For questions, please contact either Barb or Sheli:
Barb: molengraafb@gmail.com
Sheli: sheli@hospicewaterloo.ca
1st Keynote Speaker: Yvonne Heath
Navigating Life, Grief and Everything in Between... With Heart and Humour!
“In my 27 year nursing career and personal life, I learned—the hard way—how ill-prepared we are for grief, death, transitions and all the messiness in between. I suffered and I am sure you have too.
What if we normalized hard conversations, became proactive and navigated life with heart, humour and humanness?
Can we allow Grief AND Joy?... Yes we can! Let’s Talk!”
— Yvonne Heath
Yvonne Heath
In her 27 year nursing career, Yvonne Heath worked in the United States and Canada in many areas including emergency, chemotherapy, palliative care and hospice. She became disheartened by our society’s reluctance to talk about, plan and prepare for grief, transitions and end of life—causing excessive suffering. She suffered too, not knowing how to do it differently.
In 2015 she blazed a new trail to create social change and founded Love Your Life to Death and the I Just Showed Up Movement.
She shares her message with heart and humour. In 2019, she delivered her TEDx Talk—Transforming our Grief, by Just Showing Up.
Yvonne is most passionate about Supporting the Supporters and Creating Compassionate Communities. When they are not traveling, Yvonne and her husband Geordie (pronounced Jordy!) can be found wearing socks and sandals in their happy place in Huntsville with their cats, Calvin and Hobbes.
2nd Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kathryn Mannix
How do we talk about dying?
We’re all going to die… but we don’t like to talk about it, and that poses a problem when we need to talk about our preferences and wishes about treatment and care options towards the end of our lives, whether that is with our medical advisors or our dearest people.
After a 30-year career as a palliative care doctor and psychotherapist, I’ve learned a thing or several about those necessary and tender conversations. How do we begin a conversation with our beloveds about their end of life wishes? What actually happens during dying? What might children see and hear if they are allowed to visit, and what might they imagine if visiting is forbidden?
Join us to think about how to manage those important conversations, how to be someone’s companion as they think through their worries and concerns, and how to understand and accompany the process of dying.
Dr. Kathryn Mannix
Kathryn trained in general internal medicine and then moved sideways from training in medical oncology to develop her interest in palliative care. Kathryn took early retirement in 2016 to campaign for better public understanding of dying. Her first book With The End In Mind was shortlisted for the Wellcome Book Prize, became a Sunday Times best-seller, and has been translated into 16 languages so far. Her second book, Listen: how to find the words for Tender Conversations, was published to critical acclaim in 2021.
Kathryn writes, broadcasts, podcasts and lectures across the UK and around the world, both for public information (e.g. BBC, CBC, New Zealand Broadcasting Company) and for medical audiences (e.g. Royal College of Emergency Medicine 2019 and 2024; McGill Palliative Care Institute 2023; Intensive Care Society 2023; UK Palliative Care Congress 2019 and 2022; New Zealand Palliative Care Nurses Association 2024). She has been a friend and supporter of Hospice Waterloo volunteers for several years and is delighted to be coming back to visit in 2024.
Grab Your Copy at the Event
We'll be offering sales of "Love Your Life to Death" by Yvonne Heath and signed copies of "With the End in Mind" by Dr. Kathryn Mannix.
Share the Event with Your Community
Want to share this event with your friends, family, and community? Click below to find digital and printable resources you can use to let others know about it!
About the Organizers
Dying to Know is a thought-provoking event exploring the often-taboo subject of death. Hospice Waterloo Region and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church are committed to opening up this conversation in our community and are thrilled to collaborate on a “3rd” Dying to Know event.
About Hospice Waterloo Region
Hospice Waterloo Region is committed to creating a community where no one experiences an end-of-life journey alone. They serve the community with compassion, inclusion, and professionalism. They provide learning and leadership opportunities and strive to always center their services, programs and initiatives around the needs of clients. Hospice of Waterloo Region is thrilled to be working with the St. Andrew’s to create this weekend's event -it’s a dream come true! Find out more on their website: hospicewaterloo.ca
About St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is a vibrant congregation that strives to live out the teachings and example of Jesus. St. Andrew’s is focused on creating meaningful relationships and connections with God, each other, and the local community. They are passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is accepted, valued, and embraced.
DTK was made possible through the work of Hospice Waterloo Region and funds provided by the Agnes Stock Fund at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. The fund is named after Agnes Stock, a long-time church member and educator, to honour her legacy and commitment to education. This trust fund supports keynote speakers for Agnes Stock Weekend events.
Find out more on their website: standrewskw.com
Support the Dying to Know Events
Dying to Know was made possible through funds provided by The Agnes Stock trust fund at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Fall registration is $40, $10 for students, with an optional lunch for $15. These fees help rebuild the funds available for future learning events. Donations to help us continue offering events and conferences like this one are appreciated.