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Weve been very limited in the number of people that we can help. The expansion will include various new additions, including a custom-designed teach- ing kitchen, expanded childcare centre and exercise room, art therapy studio, large group support room and a Money Matters resource centre, among others. We will be able to customize the interior spaces to offer some programs weve never been able to offer in this particular centre before, including Money Matters, which is a financial navigation program at various levels of cancer exercise, said Morrison. We also have a teaching kitchen where we can bring in nutrition programs. These are programs that have been proven to have a pow- erful impact, not only on survival rates, but also on quality of life. Morrison said they will be able to accom- modate up to 20,000 visits a year, and along with an increase in size and programs, comes better accessibility. (It) has been quite limited here, (so) were going to have an elevator, (and) a much improved access ramp and will have a lot more parking, said Morrison. Although this centre is growing, some things wont change. What will remain the same is the hope, comfort, solace and the wis- dom of peers, and the wonderful heart warming welcome that our volunteers provide every single day, she said. When Betty was diagnosed with cancer, she joined a breast cancer support group at Wellspring, so she and her late husband were inspired by her personal experience to support the campaign. The support here that I received when I had cancer was amazing (and) is the reason my dedication is to Wellspring, said Betty. In recognition of the contributions, the new centre will be named Wellspring Birmingham/ Gilgan House when it reopens in fall 2012. For now, all programs have been relocated to a tem- porary facility at 1148 Winston Churchill Blvd., Unit E. Its this type of community support that ensures Wellspring can continue to offer its vital programs to the community. Every dollar con- tributed to this comprehensive campaign and the project will make a huge difference, said Peter Willis, co-chair of the Wellspring Halton- Peel Expansion Campaign. However, the campaign is more than just bricks and mortar, its about the expansion of cancer support programs and services to help the thousands more people meet everyday chal- lenges that cancer brings today and in the future. Willis said that the organization is encour- aged by the momentum achieved so far in the campaign, as more support has come forward already. The IRONDames, an incredible group of women, have set a goal to raise $200,000 for the cancer exercise program here at Wellspring Halton-Peel. This inspiring group is holding events throughout the community to raise money for the program, said Willis. You cant possibly have a better start for a campaign than that. We want to continue to offer this kind of healing oasis well into the future, said Morrison. For more information, visit www.wellspring. ca. By Nathan Howes OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A $1 million contribution has helped spring forward a planned expansion of the Wellspring Halton-Peel Cancer Support Centre. The donation was announced Wednesday as a lead gift in a $3 million campaign to double the size of the facility to accommodate increas- ing demands for its community-based pro- gramming and services for individuals and their families living with cancer. Betty Birmingham and her late husband, Bruce, initiated the campaign with their mil- lion-dollar offering. This is certainly one near and dear to the heart of the entire town, not just me. When this project came to me, the small word that was whispered to me was This is the Birminghams, said Mayor Rob Burton. For me that was all it took because one of the greatest leaders of our town has been for many years Bruce and Betty Birmingham. Also contributing to the campaign is Peter Gilgan, who joined as honourary chair of the campaign, and has partnered with Mattamy Homes to build the 3,600 sq. ft. addition. For the past several years we have been seriously space constrained and it has limited our ability to help all of the people who come to us because we have not been able to offer a full roster of programs, said Lynda Morrison, Wellspring CEO. w w w .in si d eH A LT O N .c o m O A K V IL LE B E A V E R T h u rs d ay , A u g u st 1 1, 2 01 1 1 2 ll l l fWe spring temporari y re ocates or expansion project CLAUDIO CUGLIARI / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER A VALUABLE GIFT: From left, Peter Gilgan of Mattamy Homes; Wellspring Halton Peel Expansion Board Campaign Co-Chair John Philip; lead donor and philanthropist Betty Birmingham; Wellspring Halton/Peel Expansion Board Co-Chair Peter Willis; Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Wellspring Board Chair Nancy Wilson sign a Muskoka chair during the fundraising campaign launch. The chair will stand as a reminder of the wellness centre in the Wellspring temporary facility located at 1148 Winston Churchill Blvd. as the Sixth Line expansion is completed.