Draft:Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:44, 22 July 2025

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= Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation =

'''Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation''' (Wellspring) is a Canadian charity<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=WELLSPRING CANCER SUPPORT FOUNDATION/FONDATION WELLSPRING POUR LES PERSONNES ATTEINTES DE CANCER — Quick View {{!}} Charity's detail page |url=https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyRprtngPrd?q.srchNmFltr=wellspring+cancer+support+Foundation&q.stts=0007&selectedCharityBn=892728940RR0001&dsrdPg=1 |website=Government of Canada}}</ref> that provides non-medical supportive care services for individuals living with cancer, as well as their caregivers and families.family Itsmembers. servicesServices include peer support, counselling, support groups, physical activity programs, educational workshops, art therapy, meditation, symptom management support and financial navigation. Programs are provided free of charge and do not require a medical referral. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Teotonio |first=I |date=Feb 16, 2018 |title=Cancer patients still suffer after treatment. |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/health-wellness/cancer-patients-still-suffer-after-treatment/article_2426cec1-c7ef-508f-a345-46adabd52947.html |url-status=live |archive-url= |work=Toronto Star}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Cancer care enhances patient and caregiver well-being. |url=https://hospitalnews.com/cancer-care-enhances-patient-and-caregiver-well-being/ |url-status=live |website=Hospital News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bottaro |first=Angelica |date=June 26, 2025 |title=Harnessing the power of cancer support programs to cope with the emotional scars. |url=https://www.healthing.ca/cancer/harnessing-the-power-of-cancer-support-groups-to-cope-with-the-emotional-scars |url-status=live |website=Healthing}}</ref>

=== History ===

Wellspring was founded in 1992 in Toronto, Ontario<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wysong |first=Pippa |date=May 12, 1992 |title=New cancer centre will offer patients support services |url-status=dead |work=The Medical Post |pages=63}}</ref>, by Anne Armstrong Gibson, a cancer patient who sought to address the emotional and practical needs of individuals facing cancer. With support from Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, then CEO of Princess Margaret Hospital, the first Wellspring centre was opened in a coach house on Wellesley Street East. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Picard |first=A |date=Jan 27, 2000 |title=Cancer centre gives patients help, hope |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/cancer-centre-gives-patients-help-hope/article22402088/ |url-status=live |website=Globe and Mail}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Alan |date=Feb 3, 1995 |title=Lawyer Anne Gibson, advocate ‘for the patient with cancer’ |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/102912294/anne-armstrong-gibson |url-status=live |work=The Toronto Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Green |first=Lisa |date=2009 |title=Including Spirituality: A Means to Cope with Cancer and Recommendations for Health Care Professionals |url=https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1909&context=etd |journal=Wilfrid Laurier University, Scholars Commons @ Laurier |pages=7-8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Markland |first=Shelley |date=May 2001 |title=Wellspring - an oasis to people living with cancer |work=Hospital News}}</ref>

In 1999, a second ___location opened at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2016 |title=Cancer Support for both the patient and the caregiver. |url=https://hospitalnews.com/cancer-support-for-both-the-patient-and-caregiver/ |url-status=live |website=Hospital News}}</ref> Since then, the organization has expanded to multipledifferent locations in Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick, as well as through online programming. <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2022 |title=TD and Wellspring launch new Virtual Centre |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/td-and-wellspring-launch-new-virtual-centre-for-cancer-support-884293325.html |url-status=live |website=Newsire}}</ref>

=== Programs and Services ===

Wellspring delivers non-clinical supportive care for cancer patients and caregivers. Programs are delivered by qualified professionals such as social workers, psychotherapists, physiotherapists, art therapists, and dietitians. Services include peer support, support groups, counselling, educational workshops, cancer-specific exercise classes, art therapy, financial navigation, return-to-work support, and symptom management support.<ref name=":1" />

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wellspring expanded its virtual programming through the launch of a dedicated Virtual Centre, enabling access across Canada, including remote and underserved regions. <ref name=":3" />

=== Organizational Structure ===