When Kathy’s husband Peter was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2009, their lives changed overnight. Like so many families facing cancer, they suddenly found themselves navigating medical appointments, uncertainty, and emotional upheaval.
Not long after Peter’s diagnosis, a friend told Kathy about Wellspring.
“It was the best thing we ever could have done,” Kathy says.
They joined Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House in Oakville and quickly became immersed in everything the centre had to offer. Together, they attended Relaxation & Visualization, Nourish, and the Healing Journey, amongst others. Kathy describes the experience of taking the Healing Journey program as transformative.
“It’s something that helps you cope with anything in life, not just cancer,” she explains.
Peter, a warm and outgoing former marketing professional, found deep meaning in connecting with others. He became involved in a men’s group and even took on a leadership role that allowed him to support others while feeling purposeful himself.
“Wellspring played a very big part in helping Peter live well with cancer,” Kathy reflects. “The coping skills, the meditation, and being with others who truly understood — all of that mattered.”
What surprised Kathy most was the atmosphere at Wellspring.
“You’d think it would be sad, because everyone is dealing with cancer in some way. But it isn’t. People were upbeat. There was lightness. You didn’t feel alone.”
Peter lived with cancer for two years before passing away in 2011. After his death, Kathy continued her connection with Wellspring in a Bereavement Support Group. This group experience helped her prepare for milestones like holidays and navigate life without her partner.
“They helped us plan instead of getting blindsided,” she says. “And our group became friends. I’m still in touch with several people all these years later.”
Wellspring also provided counselling for Kathy’s two adult sons, helping support the entire family through their grief.
About a year after Peter passed, Kathy felt ready to give back in a new way. She became a Wellspring volunteer, welcoming members at the front desk, a role she held for nearly nine years.
“I like people,” she says simply. “And I wanted to give back to a place that had done so much for us.”
Kathy also became a Wellspring donor. In lieu of flowers after Peter’s passing, friends made donations to Wellspring in his memory. Since then, Kathy has often requested charitable gifts for birthdays and holidays, and she has chosen to include Wellspring in her will.
Her reasons are deeply personal.
“When someone is dealing with cancer, income is often reduced,” Kathy explains. “That happened to us. I became my husband’s caregiver, and our finances changed overnight. I never want cost to be a barrier for someone who needs Wellspring.”
For Kathy, legacy giving is another way of ensuring that future families can access the same free programs that supported her own.
“Wellspring was there when we needed help.”
Remembering Peter brings a smile to Kathy’s face. A devoted husband and father, Peter valued friendship deeply, nurturing relationships that began in childhood and lasted a lifetime. He loved reading, canoeing, and spending time with family. Together with Kathy and their sons, he even built cedar-and-canvas canoes, a project that remains a treasured memory.
He also wrote poetry, often gifting Kathy heartfelt verses instead of store-bought presents.
“He was thoughtful. We loved having coffee together and talking about everything. We valued each other’s intellect. We had so much to talk about.”
Kathy also remembers his incredible sense of humour.
“He once told me a joke that lasted 40 minutes to tell. He simply enjoyed telling the joke. He was so much fun.” She shares.
At Peter’s funeral, a close friend described him as his “rock.” Months later, Kathy hosted an evening of remembrance where friends gathered to share stories — not in sorrow, but in celebration of a life well lived.
Today, Kathy remains connected to Wellspring through charitable giving. Her message to others considering a legacy donation is simple: it’s about gratitude, compassion, and ensuring no one faces cancer alone.
To learn more about how to leave a legacy to Wellspring, visit our legacy giving page.