Some people can identify a single moment that changed the course of their lives. For me, that moment came in 2007, when Wellspring opened its doors in Calgary and I joined the organization as program director.
From the very beginning, there was something special about Wellspring Alberta. It wasn’t simply the programs; it was the people. It was the staff, volunteers, facilitators, and donors, who created a community rooted in compassion, dignity, and hope. Together, we shared a mission that no one should have to face cancer alone. Little did I know how, in time, that mission would touch my own life.
Just one year later, cancer came knocking. I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. One day I was supporting people living with cancer; the next, I was learning what it meant to hear those frightening words myself.
My doctors and nurses cared for me with extraordinary skill and compassion. My friends and family rallied around me. And Wellspring wrapped itself around me in a different, but equally important way. It offered understanding, encouragement, friendship, and the reassurance that I did not have to walk that road alone.
Cancer changed me. It deepened my appreciation for life, for connection, and for every precious day we are given. Today, nearly 20 years later, I am grateful to say I’m still here, and I’m still a part of Wellspring.
Over the years, I have watched Wellspring grow from a bold vision to a lifeline supporting thousands of Albertans facing cancer. I have seen people arrive feeling afraid, uncertain, and alone, and leave feeling stronger and more hopeful – empowered by connection. I have witnessed caregivers find tools for coping, and families find a community of compassion.
As someone who has been a part of Wellspring since the beginning, I can tell you with complete confidence that donor support makes all of this possible. Wellspring Alberta exists because people like you choose to care and want to contribute.
If you have supported Wellspring in the past, I hope you will consider making a gift again today. Your generosity ensures that someone newly diagnosed with cancer, someone struggling through treatment, or someone caring for a loved one, can find the support, community, and encouragement they need, at no cost.