Kerry’s Story: A Heart for Art

When Kerry Ferguson looks back over the difficult events she has faced in the past decade, she describes them with a lightheartedness that reflects her no-nonsense approach.

“That’s how this family copes. We soldier along and take things as they come. We talk about things, but without a lot of drama. We face what comes and carry on,” she said.

It seems to be a philosophy that helped her through her husband Bill’s illness, her own cancer diagnosis, and ultimately helped her move toward a renewed sense of purpose, one that recently helped spark a wonderful art fundraiser for Wellspring Alberta.

In 2018, Kerry and Bill were retired and enjoying life in Calgary when Bill was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a progressive and incurable lung disease. The early years of his illness were manageable, but by 2020, Kerry found herself becoming his caregiver. Bill remained mentally “sharp as a tack,” but physically, the disease slowly stole his breath, and with the threat of Covid, their world became precarious.

Then, in October 2021, Kerry felt a small lump in her breast. Her mother had had breast cancer, so she had a sense of what was ahead. A mammogram, then a biopsy, and by mid-December, she was in surgery for a lumpectomy. Fortunately, she did not require chemotherapy, but 24 rounds of radiation would follow that spring. Bill drove Kerry to every appointment, oxygen tank in tow. She managed the fatigue as best she could, resting between caretaking, cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

Their children offered much-needed support. Her son Matt had moved home in September of 2019 and continues to live with Kerry, and her daughter Emma and son-in-law Mike, who live nearby, would help out regularly as well. Kerry’s final treatment was in early May 2022, and in June, Bill succumbed to his illness and died. That September, family and friends gathered for a backyard celebration of Bill’s life.

“Then it was just me, adjusting to being on my own,” Kerry said.

But by March of 2024, something wasn’t right. Kerry found herself gasping for breath when she engaged in housework, gardening, or even going up steps. Doctors found nothing concerning, so she kept going, even planned a trip to Ontario to visit her brothers. The day before her flight, though, she struggled significantly, but true to her constitution, she pushed forward.

“We decided it was nerves. I hadn’t flown for a while, and I hadn’t seen my brothers since just after Bill died. At the airport, my daughter had to get me a wheelchair to get me to my gate. She said, “Mom, are you sure you’re okay?” But I just waved her off, saying I’d be fine,” said Kerry.

Somehow, she managed to clear security, but as she walked toward her gate, she could no longer catch her breath. An off-duty security guard noticed her distress and intervened. Within minutes, she was in an ambulance. At the hospital, doctors discovered a massive pulmonary embolism, a dangerous “saddle clot” in both her lung and her heart. She learned that had she boarded the plane, even the slightest change in cabin pressure would have killed her. She spent a week in the hospital and credits the security guard with saving her life.

The investigation that followed uncovered something else: her Breast Cancer oncologist (Dr Khan, who she calls amazing), noted that she had experienced a small blood clot some years earlier, and he ordered further imaging. A PET scan followed by a biopsy confirmed a new, undetected cancer, B-cell lymphoma. Presently, the cancer is indolent, or “asleep” as her care team describes it, requiring no active treatment except surveillance. Her future, though, is precarious, and she doesn’t take her precious days for granted.

The Art Spark

After Bill died, Kerry received a call from Wellspring Alberta inviting her for a tour. She went, and liked what she saw, but what really got her attention was the mention of art programs.

“I have always loved art, but I hadn’t had time for it in years. I find that all my troubles disappear and nothing matters when I give myself an hour doing art,” she said.

A trained graphic designer and illustrator, Kerry had spent many years working as an artist. Later, when she retrained and became an Educational Assistant working with children with Autism, she found ways to incorporate art in her work with the kids, but the joy of creating art for her own pleasure had slipped away.

At Wellspring, she signed up for the Open Art Studio program, where members bring their own projects to work on together.

“I loved it right away! I just found that those two hours disappeared. I sat talking and listening to people chat, working on my pen and ink, and gosh, I walked out of there feeling like I had just been for a spa treatment. I’ve been going ever since,” she said.

She also began carving out time in her days for art projects at home.

“I like to say, Wellspring brought me back to my art, and my art brought me back to me.”

Creating for Wellspring Alberta

This renewed passion eventually led to the idea for an art fundraiser for Wellspring Alberta. During a Tuesday afternoon Open Art Studio session, members began chatting about how they would finish pieces and tuck them away in closets and garages. Many didn’t see themselves as artists. But as conversations grew, an idea blossomed: why not host an art show and donate proceeds to Wellspring?

Excitement spread quickly. Soon, members from the online Open Art Studio, Carma House, and other Randy O’Dell Wellspring art programs joined in. Kerry, along with fellow Open Studio artist Gordon Rankin and Wellspring staff, created invitations, inventory charts, and artist codes and sifted through the many details of putting on a show. Wellspring provided the space, a payment terminal, and door prizes. In total, 24 artists chose to contribute their work. Several artists provided door prizes as well.

On the morning of the November 28 event, a blizzard blew in, but that didn’t dampen spirits. By afternoon, the sun emerged, and the people came. In the end, twenty-two artists put work in and about 12 of the contributors attended in person. Even those living with the challenges of cancer stayed all day, standing beside their creations, relishing the conversation and admiration. For many, it was the first time they had ever shown or sold their work, and it was magic to feel like bona fide artists at an art show.

“It was such a lovely process to be part of,” said Kerry. “It was good for Wellspring and good for the psychological well-being of the members who took part. It was a win-win all the way around.”

Over four hours, Art Market raised $1,600! And since it was held during Wellspring’s annual Matching Campaign, the sum was doubled … a whopping $3,200 for Wellspring!

Onward and Upward

Today, Kerry continues to live with gratitude. “I just carry on knowing life will be what life will be,” she says. She is buoyed by her children, her friends, her care team, and especially by her new granddaughter, six-week-old Harriet Rose, Hattie, who briefly stole the spotlight at the Art Market.

And she continues to find comfort at Wellspring Alberta.

“A lot of people can’t talk about their cancer at home — it upsets their spouses or their kids. But at Wellspring, you can talk about your cancer like you talk about what you had for breakfast. People listen, no judgment. It truly is a healing place.”

Create Your Own Fundraiser

We invite our Wellspring Alberta members, families, and supporters to consider creating their own meaningful fundraisers. Whether it’s an art fundraiser, a birthday tribute, a workplace challenge, or a heartfelt gathering in honour of someone you love, these community-led efforts make a profound difference. Every fundraiser, big or small, helps ensure that individuals facing cancer can access the care, connection, and compassion they deserve. If you feel inspired to turn your gratitude, hope, or memories into impact, starting a fundraiser is simple, and Wellspring offers tools and guidance to support you every step of the way. Learn more or begin your own tribute today at give.wellspring.ca/home.