Every single person you know has been affected by cancer in someway – it could be personal or happening to a friend or family member.
As a cancer survivor, Doug Freeland said, “When someone is diagnosed, the first thing that enters their mind is fear.”
Fortunately, there is a local organization that can help.
Situated on Highway 20 in Fonthill, Wellspring Niagara offers free programs and support for cancer patients, caregivers and families living with a cancer diagnosis.
“It's debilitating in a lot of circumstances,” Freeland said. “What Wellspring does is to reduce that fear to try and eliminate that fear to give you the tools necessary to make the right decisions to create a positive environment in your mind.
“It's just a complete program that just isn't available to a lot of communities. We see the results every day. We see the motivation, we have friends that are, they're going through it or and everyone is touched by cancer.”
Jacqueline Ireland, community engagement and events co-ordinator at Wellspring Niagara, said the organization is completely community funded and receives no support from the government.
One of the ways they raise funds is with community partnerships, like the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Week, which will be running from April 29 to May 5.
Local Tim Hortons owner Stephanie McWilliams said she first got involved with Wellspring because her father, Doug Burr, was diagnosed with brain cancer.
His legacy continues to live on in the Smile Cookie Peer Support Room in memory of Doug Burr at Wellspring.
“It is important for us, having a community that supports each other,” said McWilliams.
Ireland said last year the cookie campaign raised just over $25,000. This year, the goal is $30,000. That works out to about 20,000 cookies.
This is the eighth year the campaign is supporting Wellspring.
Currently, Wellspring helps some 1,200 people, she noted.
Some of the support programs offered include a child and teen programs, a cancer exercise program, a nutrition program along with support groups. All the programs are free of charge.
The Pelham Fire Department, Rotary Club of Fonthill, Skycomp Solutions, and the Meridian Credit Union will all help make the cookies sold throughout the week, with each group taking a day.
The Kinsmen Club of Fonthill will match all donations made on May 1. Likewise, Meridian Credit Union will match donations on April 29.
Frank Adamson, a Wellspring board member, said that Burr was one of the founding members of the Fonthill Rotary Club.
“With him having cancer and suffering from cancer and dying from cancer, he really saw the benefit of Wellspring and I encouraged our club to get involved,” said Adamson. “We really feel it's a very important program and we're really just very happy to be a part of the Cookie campaign. This is one of our biggest fundraisers.”
Kristy Baker, assistant branch manager at Meridian Credit Union, said she had a very special bond with Wellspring.
Baker recently finished her cancer treatment in October.
“I think it''s very important that if you don't have an army behind you, you have community support from Wellspring,” said Baker. “I know myself, and Meridian really like to support it in any way we can to raise money.”
Serge Paquin, chief executive officer of Skycomp Solutions, called Wellspring “a great organization.”
“I think everybody in Niagara has been touched by cancer in one way or another so we're very excited to give back to the community, and be part of it and give back to a great organization,” said Paquin.
Learn more about Wellspring and its programs by calling 905-684-7619, or online at www.wellspring.ca/niagarav
