Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation
Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation (Wellspring) is a Canadian charity that provides non-medical supportive care services for individuals living with cancer, as well as their caregivers and families. Its services include peer support, counselling, support groups, physical activity programs, educational workshops, and financial navigation. Programs are provided free of charge and do not require a medical referral.
[6, 18, 25]
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. Although Gibson died in 1995, as per her wishes, the foundation continued to expand across Canada. [1] [2][3]
In 1999, a second ___location opened at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. [4] Since then, the organization has expanded to multiple locations in Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick, as well as through online programming. [11]
Programs and Services
Wellspring delivers non-clinical supportive care for cancer patients and caregivers. Its evidence-based 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, financial navigation, return-to-work support, and symptom management support. [18]
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. [11]
Organizational Structure
Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation operates as the governing entity for centres in the Greater Toronto Area, and overseeing intellectual property and program standards for affiliate organizations. Affiliate organizations—each a separate legally incorporated charity—operate in other regions while adhering to shared quality, branding, and program standards. [18]
Locations
Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation (Toronto, ON)
· Westerkirk House (Toronto) [24]
· Birmingham Gilgan House (Oakville) [23]
· Hospital-based hubs at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, and Michael Garron Hospital
Wellspring Chinguacousy (Brampton, ON)
· Opened in 2008 [12]
Wellspring Niagara (Fonthill, ON)
· Established in 2001 [15]
Wellspring London and Region (London & Stratford, ON)
· Launched in 1999; expanded in partnership with the YMCA [16]
Wellspring Alberta
· Carma House (Calgary, 2009) [21] [22]
· Randy O’Dell House (Calgary, 2019) [13] [22]
· Edmonton House (Edmonton, 2017) [20]
Wellspring New Brunswick (Moncton, NB)
· Established in 2024 [17]
- ^ Picard, A (01/01/2000). "Cancer centre gives patients help, hope".
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Barnes, Alan (03/02/1995). "Lawyer Anne Gibson, advocate 'for the patient with cancer'".
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Green, Lisa (2009). "). Including Spirituality: A Means to Cope with Cancer and Recommendations for Health Care Professionals". Wilfrid Laurier University Scholars Commons @ Laurier: 7–8, 32–33, 47, 60, 62–63, 70, 72, 89, 91, 96, 109–110, 121.
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