Draft:Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:26, 23 July 2025

Revision as of 15:51, 23 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 caregivers and family members. Services 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 name=":1">{{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> Programs are provided free of charge and do not require a medical referral.<ref name=":4" />

=== History ===

Wellspring was founded in 1992 in Toronto, Ontario, 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 name=":6">{{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>

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=== Programs and Services ===

Wellspring delivers 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, nutrition, financial navigation, return-to-work support, and symptom management support.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 3, 2013 |title=Longo's Kitchen is the heart of Wellspring |url=https://www.insidehalton.com/news/longo-s-kitchen-is-the-heart-of-wellspring/article_0ef6fd4c-6f75-575f-b59b-c3757b36c11b.html |url-status=live |work=Inside Halton, Oakville Beaver}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Howes |first=Nathan |date=July 9, 2014 |title=Money Matters at Oakville’s Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House |url=https://www.insidehalton.com/life/money-matters-at-oakvilles-wellspring-birmingham-gilgan-house/article_2dafb974-b96a-58d1-9657-1e44648b1bd2.html |url-status=live |work=Inside Halton, Oakville Beaver}}</ref>

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wellspring expanded its virtual programming, enabling access across Canada. <ref name=":3" />