![\"Chamaine](\"https:\/\/wellspring.ca\/alberta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2026\/04\/Chamaine-K-300x225.jpg\" "\\"Chamaine")
<\/p>\n![\"Charmaine's](\"https:\/\/wellspring.ca\/alberta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2026\/04\/Charmaines-family-300x200.jpg\" "\\"Charmaine's")
This sense of togetherness matters deeply to Charmaine, especially after what she and her loved ones have recently endured.<\/p>\n
\u201c2024 was a very difficult year for me,\u201d she said softly. \u201cI mean, really, I can handle a lot, but this was more than I could handle.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Then, just four months later, Charmaine\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
And it didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been too much \u2013 a journey I thought I would never get through,\u201d she said. \u201cBut here we are. With the help of my family and with Wellspring, somehow, we\u2019ve managed to pull through.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cMy kids are optimistic \u2013 they keep saying, ‘ Everything is good now, Mom, \u2018\u201d she said with a smile. \u201cBut I\u2019m still waiting for that last scan.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s through the storm.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I beat cancer I want a symbol \u2013 something I look at that says hey, I did it,\u201d she explains. \u201cSo, me and my son and my daughter are all going to get a matching tattoo \u2013 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 \u2013 \u2018family.\u2019 We will do this when I get through this one last test.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I\u2019m at Wellspring I actually forget I have cancer. It\u2019s like a weight is lifted off my shoulders and I leave feeling lighter and happier,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s the same for the grandkids. They don\u2019t feel like we are going to Wellspring because Nana has cancer \u2013 it just feels like family time in a wonderful place with wonderful programs.\u201d<\/p>\n Thank you to Wellspring for being there when my family and I needed you the most. Everyone who works and volunteers there \u2013 you are my angels. <\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2018Kids in the Kitchen,\u2019 a huge thank you \u2013 you always have a smile on both your faces and you put smiles on the faces of all my family \u2013 especially the little ones who come in to cook in the kitchen.<\/p>\n![\"Charmaine](\"https:\/\/wellspring.ca\/alberta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2026\/04\/Charmaine-with-husband-and-grandkids-226x300.jpg\" "\\"Charmaine")
![\"Charmaine\"](\"https:\/\/wellspring.ca\/alberta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2026\/04\/Charmaine-225x300.jpg\" "\\"Charmaine\\"")
<\/p>\n![\"Edits](\"https:\/\/wellspring.ca\/alberta\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2026\/04\/Edits-3-300x200.jpg\" "\\"Edits")
<\/p>\nCharmaine\u2019s Love Letter to Wellspring<\/h4>\n
Double Your Impact<\/h4>\n