In October, Wellspring Alberta proudly introduced ‘Saath – Cancer Support,’ a culturally tailored, family-centred program created to support South Asian adults living with cancer and their families.
The word Saath, means “together” or “with” in several South Asian languages. Its expression could not be more fitting given its cultural significance, and the way it beautifully captures the Wellspring spirit of togetherness, shared understanding, and compassionate support for those on a cancer journey.
“Saath offers a safe and welcoming space for participants to connect, share stories, ask questions, and learn helpful coping strategies in a setting that is tailored to cultural nuances and an understanding of traditions and values,” said Tana Dhruva, Wellspring’s South Asian Outreach Coordinator. “It’s the first Wellspring program to be offered in a blend of Hindi, Punjabi, and English, a hybrid that helps bridge the language barriers so participants feel seen, heard, and understood.”
Saath is currently held twice a month, one morning session and one evening session, at the Vivo Centre in Calgary’s northeast. The sessions are guided by South Asian program leaders who bring a wealth of cultural knowledge and personal experience to the group. Participants are invited to engage in whatever way feels right for them … by sharing, listening, or simply being present.
Action Rooted in Relevance
The launch of Saath marks a significant milestone in Wellspring Alberta’s commitment to ensuring that its free cancer support programs are welcoming, accessible, and relevant to all Albertans.
“This program is especially meaningful to us. It’s a reflection of what can happen when a community comes together with intention, a solid purpose, an open mind, and shared resources. It represents Wellspring’s ongoing journey toward inclusion, cultural awareness, and belonging for all people affected by cancer,” said Niki Fehr, Wellspring’s Program Director.
This component of Wellspring’s Diversity and Inclusion mandate first gained traction in the fall of 2024, when Wellspring launched its South Asian Outreach Project, made possible by generous funding from the Calgary Foundation and donors Jim and Vicki Wilson. The project was developed in recognition that reaching and serving diverse communities requires cultural understanding, active listening, and a tailored approach that reflects the lived experiences of those communities.
To lead this important work, Wellspring welcomed Tana Dhruva, a Calgary-based South Asian professional, who now has a year behind her punctuated by extensive research, and the first pilot program up and running. To get to this point, Tana worked alongside Wellspring’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Roundtable, and connected with South Asian organizations, community leaders, and families affected by cancer. Through months of research, outreach, focus groups, and interviews, she and a team of volunteers gained insights and understanding of the barriers and opportunities for support within the community.
“Our needs assessment revealed several key insights. First, that family plays a central role in South Asian identity, and a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family, so support needs to be extended to family members as well. Secondly, participants expressed the importance of receiving support in their own languages — this is extremely important, since some English expressions don’t necessarily convey the same emotion or meaning when translated,” said Dhruva.
The research also highlighted a strong desire for an in-person program, and helped inform that the best location would be northeast Calgary, which is home to a vibrant and growing South Asian population and where many congregate due to having community centres, events and places of worship there.
“Overall, we are very excited and optimistic that we are on the right track!” Said Dhruva. “Going forward our hope is to increase awareness and participation. For now, though, we are focused on doing all we can to ensure those who come to Saath have a good experience and they will spread the word in their community to bring new members who will undoubtedly benefit from the connection and support.”
Program Details:
What: Saath – A culturally tailored, family-centred cancer support gathering for South Asian adults and families
When: Twice monthly – the first Wednesday of each month (morning session), and the third Monday of each month (evening session)
Where: Vivo Centre, Northeast Calgary
Who: Open to anyone of South Asian background living with cancer, along with their family members
Cost: Free of charge
For more information or to join Saath, visit Saath – Cancer Support.
All our efforts to support the South Asian communities affected by cancer are made possible by the generosity of the Calgary Foundation.