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Draft:Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation

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Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation

Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation (Wellspring) is a Canadian charity[1] 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. [2][3][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.[5] 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. [6][7][8][9]

In 1999, a second ___location opened at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. [10] Since then, the organization has expanded to multiple locations in Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick, as well as through online programming. [3][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.[3]

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 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. [3]

Locations

Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation (Toronto, ON) [1][12]

·        Westerkirk House (Toronto) [10]

·        Birmingham Gilgan House (Oakville) [13]

·        Hospital-based hubs at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, St. Michael’s Hospital, and Michael Garron Hospital [12]

Wellspring Chinguacousy (Brampton, ON)

·        Opened in 2008 [14]

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) [17][18]

·        Randy O’Dell House (Calgary, 2019) [18][19][20]

·        Edmonton House (Edmonton, 2017) [21]

Wellspring New Brunswick (Moncton, NB)

·        Established in 2024 [22]

  1. ^ a b "WELLSPRING CANCER SUPPORT FOUNDATION/FONDATION WELLSPRING POUR LES PERSONNES ATTEINTES DE CANCER — Quick View | Charity's detail page". Government of Canada.
  2. ^ Teotonio, I (16/02/2018). "Cancer patients still suffer after treatment". Toronto Star. {{cite news}}: |archive-url= requires |archive-date= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d "Cancer care enhances patient and caregiver well-being". Hospital News. 09/05/2025. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Bottaro, Angelica (26/06/2025). "Harnessing the power of cancer support programs to cope with the emotional scars". Healthing. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Wysong, Pippa (12/05/1992). "New cancer centre will offer patients support services". The Medical Post. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Picard, A (01/01/2000). "Cancer centre gives patients help, hope". Globe and Mail. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Barnes, Alan (03/02/1995). "Lawyer Anne Gibson, advocate 'for the patient with cancer'". The Toronto Star. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ 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. {{cite journal}}: line feed character in |journal= at position 27 (help)
  9. ^ Markland, Shelley (05/2001). "Wellspring - an oasis to people living with cancer". Hospital News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ a b "Cancer Support for both the patient and the caregiver". Hospital News. 30/05/2016. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b "TD and Wellspring launch new Virtual Centre". Newsire. 09/06/2022. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ a b "Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation Operating Charity". Charity Intelligence.
  13. ^ Leitao, Ramona (26/05/2025). "Local cancer support volunteers celebrated for decades of dedication". Oakville News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Wellspring Chinguacousy opens its doors". Brampton Guardian. 13/04/2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Lansbergen, Bernard (11/01/2023). "How a dying promise turned into 'the house that Niagara built'". NotLLocal.com. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ Bieman, Jennifer (24/04/2019). "Wellspring cancer support agency expands programs to two London neighbourhoods". The London Free Press. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ Parker, David (03/02/2025). "Parker: Wellspring Alberta welcomes Joanne Aime as new CEO". Calgary Herald. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ a b Stalker, Amy (03/08/2016). "Calgary businessman inspired by Wellspring to help cancer patients". CTV Calgary. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Croteau, Jill (15/05/2019). "New cancer support centre soon to be opened in southeast Calgary". Global News. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Fleming, Kevin (08/10/2019). "Wellspring opens second permanent home in southeast Calgary". CTV Calgary. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ Gerein, Keith (04/06/2017). "Cancer patients find new outlet for help at Wellspring Edmonton". Edmonton Journal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ "Home donated by Moncton family to become centre for people with cancer". CBC. 07/11/2024. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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