Sunday, S eptem ber 17, 2000 Oakville Beaver Weekend D o w S n * J i l D u * . , M a r g ie * VftSaro Hays, David Hays, David He id, U ld a BixabMh MnAnanh, Part Hutchinson, M a y K e n n o d y, C aro* U n o p , Providing a place to laugh, ay , and form true friendships she said. At present, Wellspring is offering the fol volunteer, explains that no one but a cancer lowing support groups: Patient, Caregiver, survivor >eems to truly understand just how frightening it is to have the disease - a fear that Parent and Children's, Metastatic Cancer, and convinced Alice to look for support among Breast Cancer. In the future we plan to these to include an other cancer patients at Wellspring. Alice extend Ovarian/Gynecologic and Young Adult sup recalls that the Thursday evening support group she attended became "an area of safety" port groups. Wellspring offers a wide variety of other for the people who gathered there. "The group was a place to laugh and cry, programs that provide tools for increasing an form true friendships, alleviate fear, learn the individual's ability to cope with cancer, art of living in the present, and be accepted," including Qi Gong, Yoga, Body Mind Meditation and Relaxation / Visualization. These programs teach partici pants techniques for decreasing perceived emotional and physical stress while working towards the end goal of enhancement of quality of life. Lilian Wong, Wellspring's Qi Gong instructor, describes it as a wonderful way to boost the immune sys Yoga, meditation and Qi Gong (pictured above) promote tem, increase energy well-being through gentle stretching, rhythmic breathing, and develop stamina as meditation exercises, body postures and guided relaxation. well as manage pain and Mary Ann Mannell, Becky McAlpine, Mary M c C a r t- n . W nn Novokowsky, Amy Obendorfer, Carol pri,, _______ ' J *n . * "* MCTa9Sart' Jacki* **"*'< Barbara Moore, Karen (Continued from page 16) stress. It's basic aim is to bring the body into a state of balance and self regulation through gentle stretching exercises, breath work, meditation and teaching a positive attitude. In short, the body, mind and spirit. Wellspring also provides two expressive programs, Journalling and Art Therapy. Using a combination of writing and other cre ative exercises, members can address and dis cuss cancer related issues in a non-threaten ing environment. Issues commonly addressed in Journalling are lifestyle disruption, changes in relationships and coping with the emotions commonly experienced with can cer. Sylvia Cook, Journalling specialist, describes journalling as a welcome relief from the ups and downs of the change process and it enables you to see things from another perspective. Dr. James Pennebaker, author of Opening Up the Healing Power o f Confiding in Others, has studied the impact of writing on health and his research shows that one hour of writing, whether it be in 20minute segments or all at one sitting, increas es immune system functioning for up to six weeks. Wellspring also offers members a lending library of audio-visual and printed materials on non-medical aspects of cancer treatment, emotional and coping support, self help and Journalling, pictured above, is an expres sive program for members to address and discuss cancer related issues in a non-threatening environment. empowerment. Members who wish to access the Internet for cancer-related needs may do so by appointment at Wellspring. Submitted by Judi Perry-Brinkert O r w e ll. Loretta Muller, Diane Nocent, ° Mags Shorey, Anka Sipek, _________ K a n , Stewart, man, Anne SwaUew, Jey Trenhelnv J Building partnerships in the cancer support netw ork of cancer support programs and ser meet their palliative care needs." hen cancer strikes, feelings of vices by working collaboratively with a Based on a rapidly growing body of research over the past two grief, fear, anxiety, loss of hope large network of health care providers decades, considerable knowledge has been accumulated demon and uncertainty can be over and community-based cancer agencies strating the positive impact of social and emotional support for whelming. "The needs of a cancer patient are throughout the Region. cancer patients and their families, and a wonderful linking pin in huge," says Dr. Myers, Director of the Helen Brent, who coordinates activities with the the Halton-Peel cancer support network. Oncology Program at Credit Valley Hospital. health care network for Wellspring, says: "We While cancer treatment facilities provide basic Submitted by Helen Brent have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm medical care and support, they do not always have expressed by physicians, nurses, social workers, pal the time or resources to meet the complex psycholog 2545 Sixth Line, liative care teams and volunteers everywhere in ical needs of patients and their loved ones. Wellspring House in Halton-Peel and their willingness to work in Over the past eight years, Wellspring has Oakville, an organization close partnership with Wellspring. Building evolved into a vitally important and well- w T r t T C T ) T ) T \ T O an(i sustaining strong partnerships with the providing support for respected partner in the cancer care communi V v t l / L L o I K i i N O health care community is vital to establishing people with cancer and ty. According to Shelley Dehay-Tumer, Nurse Manager, at the Credit Valley Oncology Clinic: "At Wellspring, the an effective referral system - one that allows patients and fami those who care for them supportive care needs of patients and families are superbly met. lies in need of support to be identified and referred to Wellspring The programs they offer both complement and enhance those pro as early as possible in the treat vided in a medical setting. Wellspring bridges the gap between the ment of their illness." While a significant number needs of the individual patient and the institutional health care framework serving our community. It represents an important link of patients are referred to Wellspring by oncology clinics in the supportive care network." Sally Stewart who works as an Oncology Social Worker at and hospitals, others receive medical care at home through Mississauga's Trillium Health Centre, has been referring patients palliative care resource teams C o n g r a tu la tio n s a n d B e s t W is h e s to Wellspring in Toronto for years. "This organization offers can working in the community. cer patients services that, for the most part, can't be found any Supportive care needs of ino n y o u r o p e n in g . where else. Coping skills programs like Reiki and Therapeutic home patients and caregivers Touch are two fine examples of the unique programs they offer at tend to be high and families no cost to those who seek help," says Sally. may feel isolated and alone. Wellspring maintains the highest standards of excellence, Marilyn Rydberg, Coordinator "With respect to delivering high quality programs to its members, of Halton-Peel Palliative Care recruiting experienced, qualified programs leaders is essential to Initiatives says, "the resource achieving our program goals," states Holly Bradley, Program teams in the community are Director at Wellspring. "Our program goals could not be achieved eager to refer their clients and without the support and leadership of health care professionals in families for the much needed support that the community. The wisdom, experience and professional guid emotional ance they bring to Wellspring truly maximize the benefits of our Wellspring can provide. By working together as a team, we programs to our members." can offer our community clients A stronger network and caregivers physical, emo The M e tro n ta rio G roup Wellspring's aim is to strengthen and integrate the delivery tional and spiritual support to m W e lc o m e t o O a k p a r k !