Lisa Bunting: Making peace with being perfectly imperfect
I was recovering at home from a concussion when I inadvertently discovered a lump in my breast. The memory lapses
How Wellspring Helps
The Need
Hearing the words “you have cancer” can be debilitating. Six hundred Canadians are diagnosed with cancer every day, and 80% have significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges that go well beyond the important medical treatments they receive in hospital. That’s where Wellspring fits in.
“The medical community treats the patient. Wellspring treats the person.”
Ian Robinson, Wellspring member
Our Solution
Wellspring is the Canadian leader in cancer support programming, devoting itself exclusively to the unique non-medical impacts of having cancer. At Wellspring, people living with cancer, their families and friends can exchange information, develop a support system and create a sense of hope in a warm, caring community. A network of registered charities, Wellspring offers programs and services that meet the emotional, social, physical and practical needs of people living with cancer and those who care for them. All Wellspring’s evidence-informed programs and services are free-of-charge and available without referral.
Our Impact
Across Canada in 2021, Wellspring served over 10,000 individuals with members noting improvement to their health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.
At Wellspring, our members sometimes share a bit about their cancer experience and how Wellspring impacts their lives.
Wanda Farkas: I am so much more than my scars
Cancer left me with permanent facial disfigurements. The more people stared and made hurtful comments, the more self-conscious I became,
John Nyholt: It’s wonderful to be considered unremarkable
While on a camping trip in the summer of 2018, John Nyholt experienced some minor indigestion. He thought nothing of
Lynn Kinsman: A help to my whole family
Losing my husband to cancer was devastating for me and for our 5-year-old daughter, Arabella.Being diagnosed with that same, rare
Bella French: Finding hope
When Bella French was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she reached out to Wellspring for support. “I don’t know how long
Bruce Cooke: Swimming in a Murky Sea
I have always been proactive about my health. I exercise regularly, run marathons, and keep regular appointments with my medical
Kathryn Phillip: Things get better with love, support and time
I have been healthy my entire life. Cancer was never something I ever worried about. So you can imagine how
Andre’s Story: Finding the hope you need, when it’s needed most
Following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer and after undergoing colostomy surgery, Andre was given a prognosis of two to three
Sharon Arsenault: Thank you with all my heart
My name is Sharon, and in 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer that had metastasized throughout
Karla Stephens Tolstoy: Finding help and giving back
Karla Stephens Tolstoy is one of many people who have found support at Wellspring during the pandemic. She was diagnosed
Steve’s Story: Learning to think differently
“I admit, I was a little hesitant at first. I drove by a Wellspring centre but was too nervous about
Alyssa’s Story
Wellspring is where Alyssa, like so many others found the support, compassion and strength needed to move on with their
Centre of Innovation – Our Program Creation, Learnings & Quality Assurance
The Centre of Innovation is Wellspring’s way of realizing its commitment to those who seek support. It is an investment in research and development to create programs based on current knowledge, with defined goals, expert leadership and high quality outcomes.
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Your Donation Makes a Difference
“Legacy building helped him understand how he wanted our daughter to remember him.”
– Elise, whose husband, Jay, learned his cancer was terminal and turned to Wellspring for programs like the Oasis Advanced Cancer Support Group for Parents