Conversations about serious illness and end-of-life care are never easy, but they are essential.
The kblivewell.ca Project is designed to help patients, families, and healthcare providers navigate these discussions with clarity, confidence, and compassion—and to encourage people to focus on living well at every stage of life.
Developed through a collaborative effort under the ‘Shared Care’ banner, the kblivewell.ca project unites a multi-disciplinary team of practitioners, community organizations such as Nav-CARE, local hospice programs, and other support networks.
Working together, these groups aim to strengthen palliative care in Kootenay Boundary by providing practical resources and compassionate guidance—helping individuals and families navigate serious illness and end-of-life care with dignity, connection, and a sense of preparedness.
As part of the kblivewell.ca Project, a short video entitled “Death Gets a Tattoo” was created to launch the project at the recent KB Medicine Conference with the objective of engaging physicians and nurse practitioners at the event.
Written and performed by local comedian and artistic director Lucas Myers in collaboration with the Shared Care team, the short film features Death himself in a rare moment of reflection—getting a tattoo while contemplating how we can better support people through the transition we all must face. Through humor and insight, the video underscores a simple yet powerful idea: the way we live shapes how we experience the end of life—and having the right support can make all the difference. The video sparked important conversations among healthcare practitioners attending the KB Medicine Conference about how to better support patients and their families facing a life-limiting diagnosis.
But at its core, the kblivewell.ca Project is about providing the tools and resources people need to navigate serious illness with dignity and connection.
“Palliative care isn’t just about the final days or weeks—it’s about supporting people in living well for as long as possible,” says Dr. Lilli Kerby, physician lead for the kblivewell.ca Project.
“These conversations can be difficult, but they’re also incredibly important. Our goal is to give patients, families, and practitioners the tools to approach them with more confidence and a clearer sense of what matters most.”
For Dr. Kelly Mieske, a physician and cancer survivor, the project’s message is deeply personal.
“When you’re facing a serious illness, having open and honest conversations with loved ones and your care team is one of the most important things you can do. It gives you a sense of control, clarity, and connection—so you can focus on what truly matters.”
Through storytelling, a lighthearted and compassionate touch, and practical resources, the kblivewell.ca Project encourages people to start these conversations early helping to ensure that care is rooted in dignity, connection, and quality of life.
To explore all available Live Well resources, visit kblivewell.ca.
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