Charmaine’s Story: Better Together at Wellspring

For Charmaine Knott, in a year of her life defined by loss, shock, and relentless uncertainty, Wellspring Alberta became more than a community of support; it became a place where her whole family could belong.

“One of the best gifts you can give someone facing cancer is showing support. Wellspring goes beyond that. My family and I look so forward to the programs,” said Charmaine.

A few times a month, Charmaine, her daughter, and her daughter-in-law unroll their yoga mats side by side or make their way together to the art room for Zentangle. Chamaine’s grandchildren have enjoyed the Kids in the Kitchen program, chopping vegetables while their parents and grandparents look on proudly. Both adults and kids have enjoyed social events, including the summer line-dancing event and Bingo nights.

This sense of togetherness matters deeply to Charmaine, especially after what she and her loved ones have recently endured.

“2024 was a very difficult year for me,” she said softly. “I mean, really, I can handle a lot, but this was more than I could handle.”

Just before Christmas 2023, Charmaine learned that her mother, living in Ontario, had terminal lung cancer. In March and again in April, Charmaine and her family travelled east. Charmaine spent three weeks caring for her mom until she passed away on May 1, 2024.

Then, just four months later, Charmaine’s only brother died at age 66 when a routine heart valve procedure led to cardiac arrest. Then, as the incredibly difficult year drew to a close, another blow blindsided the Knott family. Five days before Christmas, Charmaine was diagnosed with breast cancer.

And it didn’t stop there.

Charmaine was scheduled for a mastectomy in March 2025, but before that could happen, everything changed in early March, when she was suddenly overcome with severe abdominal pain while at work. When her husband rushed her to the emergency room in the middle of the night, the diagnosis was devastating: Stage 3 colon cancer.

“It’s been too much – a journey I thought I would never get through,” she said. “But here we are. With the help of my family and with Wellspring, somehow, we’ve managed to pull through.”

Charmaine underwent surgery followed by many rounds of chemotherapy. For now, the cancer is at bay, though she is still waiting for a CT scan to confirm the results.

“My kids are optimistic – they keep saying, ‘ Everything is good now, Mom, ‘” she said with a smile. “But I’m still waiting for that last scan.”

Family has been her anchor throughout it all, including her husband, her son and daughter and their mates, and her four precious grandchildren, ages six through 14. Looking ahead, Charmaine has a special plan in mind to mark the moment she finally feels she’s through the storm.

“If I beat cancer I want a symbol – something I look at that says hey, I did it,” she explains. “So, me and my son and my daughter are all going to get a matching tattoo – a small ribbon, half pink for breast cancer, half blue for colon cancer, and the strongest word I could come up with in the middle – ‘family.’ We will do this when I get through this one last test.”

In the meantime, while she remains on long term disability, dealing with challenging side effects of cancer treatment, Charmaine and her family continue to enjoy the sense of comfort and community at Wellspring.

“When I’m at Wellspring I actually forget I have cancer. It’s like a weight is lifted off my shoulders and I leave feeling lighter and happier,” she said. “It’s the same for the grandkids. They don’t feel like we are going to Wellspring because Nana has cancer – it just feels like family time in a wonderful place with wonderful programs.”

Charmaine’s Love Letter to Wellspring

Thank you to Wellspring for being there when my family and I needed you the most. Everyone who works and volunteers there – you are my angels.

The support from Wellspring has been a great comfort for me and my family during my journey. During such a hard time in my life, Wellspring has so much compassion and understanding and brings joy to each program they offer. My family and I look forward to the programs.

One of the best gifts you can give someone is showing support and Wellspring goes beyond that. You have been part of my life and I thank you for being part of my journey. To the chef and the mother and daughter who volunteer for the program ‘Kids in the Kitchen,’ a huge thank you – you always have a smile on both your faces and you put smiles on the faces of all my family – especially the little ones who come in to cook in the kitchen.

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