April 6, 2025: Sarah completes a course in Indian Head Massage from The Royal Canadian College of Massage Therapy.
October 28, 2024: Summary Report from the 3rd Annual End-of-Life Doula International Group Research Symposium 2024 co-authored by Krawczyk, M., Rigal, J., Mallon, A., Farr, S., Clare, E., Mallmes, J., and K. Oberle.
October 24, 2024: Wishstone invited to attend the 17th Annual Michael Garron’s Palliative Care Symposium.
August 2, 2024: Testimonial – On behalf of the Oncology Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your outstanding contribution to our Palliative Education Day on July 29th. Your presentation was incredibly insightful and has significantly enriched our understanding and approach to palliative care. We have received wonderful feedback from attendees who greatly appreciated your doula perspectives, expertise and engaging delivery. Thank you once again for your valuable contribution to our event. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you in the future.
July 29, 2024: Ruth & Sarah asked to speak at Palliative Care Education Day for the Oncology Programme at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto.
July 29, 2024: Sarah & Ruth have been asked to speak at the event ‘Assisted Dying – implications for celebrants and doulas in Scotland’.
July 1-2, 2024: Ruth & Sarah asked to present at the 3rd Annual End of Life Doula International Research Symposium – Bridging Research & Practice; https://eold.org/upcoming-events/
May 14, 2024: Ruth & Sarah asked to present to nurses, home & community case managers, and hospice staff from Southlake Regional Health Centre.
May 7, 2024: Ruth & Sarah host a Death Cafe at the Toronto Library Northern District Branch.
January 31, 2024: Ruth is approved for membership within the Canadian Association of MAID Assessors and Providers (CAMAP) as a professional who works in the MAiD space.
January 5, 2024: Ruth & Sarah interviewed by the University of Alberta for a study funded by Health Canada on “Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): Descriptions of and Experiences with Models across Canada.”
November 2, 2023: Ruth receives Certificate of Completion of Topic 1: Foundations of MAiD in Canada from the Canadian Association of MAiD Assessors and Providers (CAMAP).
October 24, 2023: Ruth & Sarah asked to facilitate a Death Cafe at the Toronto Reference Library; https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT496591&R=EVT496591
July 27, 2023: Sarah & Ruth are honoured to be part of the International End-of-Life Doula Research Group who have recently published the findings from last year’s symposium. The article encapsulates the symposiums discourse on developmentts, dilemas, and future directions in end-of-life care. To view the article please click here; https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/26323524231186826
June 26, 2023: Ruth & Sarah facilitate a Death Cafe at the Toronto Reference Library – https://www.cjru.ca/news/toronto-public-library-becomes-forum-for-strangers-to-talk-about-death/
May 23, 2023: Sarah begins her research for her Masters in End-of-Life Studies at the University of Glasgow on ‘What are families and friends experiences working with an End-of-Life Doula (EOLD) in Canada?’.
June 21, 2023: Ruth & Sarah present to the End-of-Life Doula Association of Canada.
May 9, 2023: Ruth & Sarah speak to the Family Services Program Directors for the Huntington Disease Society of Canada.
April 24-26, 2023: Sarah & Ruth are part of the research group for the International End-of-Life Doula Symposium from April 24-26, 2023 in Vancouver, BC. Hosted by the University of Glasgow.
April 21, 2023: Wishstone presents at the End of Life Doula Association of Canada Conference; Rethinking The End of Life Experience; https://mailchi.mp/endoflifedoulaassociation/conf23-news-events-and-resources-from-the-eoldac-16838740?e=d773337a0b
April 11, 2023: Wishstone listed on the new ‘Papillon’ end-of-life resource website: https://www.papillonpassing.com/
November 9, 2022 – Ruth is a guest speaker for students in Queen’s University’s Master’s program in Aging & Health
October 28, 2022: Ruth and Sarah are guest speakers for the Michener Institute of Education at UHN-Respiratory Therapy Program
September 21, 2022: As part of the organizing committee along with academic researchers for the International Virtual End-of-Life Doula Symposium we are pleased to announce that The International End-of-Life Doula Symposium Report is now available. This unique event was designed to develop collaborative relationships with EOLD practitioners and organizations across different countries. You can download the report here.
April 12, 2022: Ruth & Sarah are featured in the MAiDHouse newsletter. https://www.maidhouse.ca/eoldoula
March- April, 2022: Sarah is part of the organizing committee for the International Virtual End-of-Life Doula Symposium on April 25-27, 2022. Hosted by the University of Glasgow.
March 15, 2022: Sarah is selected to be member of the Volunteer Advisory Committee for the End- of-Life Doula Association of Canada.
March 9, 2022 – Viive Planning Video with Sarah and Ruth.
February 8, 2022: Ruth & Sarah host a Virtual Death Café for Vaughan Library.
November 24, 2021 – Sarah participates in an instagram video on Soul Midwife or Death Doula https://www.instagram.com/tv/CWqvJa-l9Q0/?utm_medium=copy_link
November 2021 – Ruth participates in a joint Canada-Australia-Belgium research project to better understand how people make end-of-life decisions about medical assistance in dying (MAiD). https://research.qut.edu.au/voluntary-assisted-dying-regulation/
October 13, 2021: Sarah & Ruth quoted in the upcoming publication of 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End-of-Life by Linda Hochstetler
September 28, 2021: Sarah & Ruth featured on the blog ‘What does it Mean to Have a Good Death‘; https://eirene.ca/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-have-a-good-death
September 22, 2021: Ruth’s experience will be featured in the Virtual MAiD Symposium: The Untold Stories of MAiD in Ontario – Family & Friends’ Experiences hosted by the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health.
July 9, 2021: Ruth and Sarah are interviewed for the The Rookie and The Vet series as part of the The Healing Cycle Foundation which helps educate and promote the exceptional work that hospice palliative centres do for patients and families. To view the interview click here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcdB1xV1jvQ
June 28, 2021: Sarah and her therapy dog “Holly” are awarded the St. John’s Ambulance medal for their dedication to service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May, 2021 – Ruth & Sarah join the Palliative Approach in Long Term Care Community of Practice hosted by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association and participate in monthly meetings. https://www.chpca.ca/knowledge/strengthening-a-palliative-approach-in-long-term-care-spa-ltc-project/
January – June, 2021: Ruth participates in Lakehead University’s SSHRC-funded research project “The untold stories of MAiD in Ontario – family and loved ones’ experiences”
June 10, 2021: Wishstone becomes a trusted partner with Viive Planning; https://www.viiveplanning.ca/trusted-partners
May 31, 2021: Ruth and Sarah receive Certificates of Completion for ‘Archetype of the Deathwalker ’ from Soul Passages.
May 13, 2021: Sarah completes her Continuous Professional Development Course: The Four Stages of Dying – Diagnostic Model for the Dying with the Soul Midwives School in the UK
May 12, 2021: Sarah co-facilitates monthly bereavement group for Hospice Toronto.
April 8, 2021: Ruth invited to speak on the AGHE Alumni Professional Panel, Queens University.
March 30, 2021: Sarah and Ruth featured on ‘Eirene’s’ Blog about Dying Well in Canada; https://eirene.ca/blog/wishtone-dying-well-in-canada
December 16, 2020: Ruth & Sarah present to palliative care physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual care, medication & radiation oncologists and nurses as part of the grand rounds at Stronach Regional Cancer Centre.
October 17, 2020: Ruth receives the inaugural Alumni of Distinction Award for the Aging and Health Program at Queen’s University; Ruth MacKay Alumni of Distinction, Queen’s University Aging and Health 2020
October 2, 2020: Sarah receives her 5 year Hospice Toronto Volunteer Award.
September 29, 2020: Ruth receives a Certificate of Completion for ‘What Happens After We Die’ from Soul Passages.
September 21, 2020: Ruth & Sarah present to George Brown College, School of Nursing Faculty.
September 16, 2020: Ruth & Sarah guest speakers for ALS Canada on ‘Understanding and Managing Grief and Loss’
August 12, 2020: Ruth & Sarah guest speakers to Paramedic Students at the Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology.
August 8, 2020: Sarah is listed as the ‘Feature Doula’ in the End of Life Doula Association August Newsletter; https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/feature-doula-sarah-farr/
June 25, 2020: Ruth completes COVID-19 Special Geriatrics Institute Education Day by Sinai Health System and University Health Network.
May 6 – July 13, 2020: Ruth & Sarah participate in the ‘Complicated Grief & Trauma – Skill Building Education’ webinar series with Eugene Dufour on behalf of HPCO.
April 30, 2020: Ruth & Sarah present a special webinar on ‘Compassionate End of Life Planning & Care Support’ to Family Councils Ontario
July 9, 2021: Ruth and Sarah are interviewed for the The Rookie and The Vet series as part of the The Healing Cycle Foundation which helps educate and promote the exceptional work that hospice palliative centres do for patients and families. To view the interview click here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcdB1xV1jvQ
April 16, 2020: Ruth & Sarah successfully complete six LEAP modules provided online by Pallium Canada.
April 11, 2020: The Globe & Mail article ‘As Visiting Restrictions increase, so do fears of missing the chance to say goodbye to loved ones’. Sarah is quoted; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-as-visiting-restrictions-increase-so-do-fears-of-missing-the-chance/?fbclid=IwAR1yuRC4-g2jsSB1JBbzMJ2PVcTH5-XP7CKh9lr8TkWFOrNHBVGRaA5Nw4E
April 9, 2020: Posting on WILLOW’s instagram (#willoweol) of our endorsement of their online program after being asked to trial the course and provide feedback. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xWhUqAsJU/?igshid=13fre58ra53hp
March 2, 2020: WISHSTONE are approved members of the End of Life Doula Association of Canada: https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/membership-roster/sarah-farr/
February 13, 2020 – Sarah and Ruth featured on CHCH TV’s “Inside the Story” segment about supporting individuals and families who request MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diNPJSBVlV8
February 5, 2020: Ruth & Sarah attend the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario Webinar – Back to Basics: Introducing the New Advance Care Planning Framework
February 4, 2020 – Panel members at Hospice Toronto Volunteer Education & Support Session about the Death Movement
January 24 & 25, 2020: Ruth & Sarah attend ‘Dying Dialogues’ – a mini-symposium on death, dying and design as part of the Dying Event Series running in conjunction with DesignTO
November 2019: Sarah & Ruth complete The Fundamentals of Palliative Care at Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities
October 2019 – Ruth completes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression Among Older Adults, through the Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work at the University of Toronto
October 2019 – Sarah appointed to The Board for the Cedarhurst Dementia Care Home, Toronto.
August 27, 2019 – Ruth successfully completes all five modules of the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) Advance Care Planning, Goals of Care and Consent e-learning competency training program. https://www.hpco.ca/acp-hcc-hsp/
July 31, 2019 – Sarah completes the TLC Teacher Trainer Course from the Soul Midwives School, UK
June 13, 2019 – Guest speakers at The Family Council Ontario Conference, North York
May 27, 2019 – Guest Speakers at Belmont House Networking Luncheon
May 22, 2019 – Ruth gains certification in Therapeutic Touch (Level 1)
May 14, 2019 – Guest speakers at ALS Caregiver Program, Toronto
March 6, 2019 – Ryerson University, The Life Institute: Ruth and Sarah are guest speakers in the End of Life Decisions Class.
March 28-28, 2019 – Ruth & Sarah participate in conflict resolution workshop by the Family Council of Ontario
March 1, 2019 – Ruth and Sarah earn Proficiency Badge from the National End of Life Doula Alliance. Press Release
January 17, 2019 – Ruth and Sarah present at The Sprint Senior: Navigating Care Presentation for the LGBTQ Caregiver Program