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contents 17
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9 6 Publishers’ message Edmonton bound
7 Wellspring Calgary message Building dreams
8 Cancervive message Cycle of hope
9 The long way home Calgary couple finds a community of hope at Wellspring
11 Corporate sponsorship Giving members hope
ON THE COVER Wellspring Calgary hiking group enjoys camaraderie and fresh mountain air. Photo by Skogen Photography
12 Firm foundation
19 Pedal pusher
Calgary home builders invest in wellness
Calgary nurse cycles in support of Cancervive
14 Love and support
20 Mind, body and spirit
Cancer survivor knows what it takes
Wellspring Calgary program facilitators light the way
15 Life is good
21 Young adults
Cancervive founder tells inspirational story
Face cancer together at Wellspring Calgary
17 Happy Birthday Cancervive!
22 Events
Fundraising organization officially 10 years young
Thank You to our supporters who made this magazine possible
Baywest Homes NuVista Homes Source Media Group
Stepper Custom Homes Transcontinental Printing United Communities
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publishers’ message PUBLISHER
Source Media Group ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER | EDITOR
Jim Zang jim.zang@sourcemediagroup.ca ART DIRECTOR
Edmonton bound
Jean Faye Rodriguez jean.rodriguez@sourcemediagroup.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Riding a bicycle is a hobby, it’s fun. Fighting cancer is serious business, it’s not. Put the two together, though, and you have Cancervive, a major fundraiser for Wellspring Calgary.
Dave Macaulay dave.macaulay@sourcemediagroup.ca Megan Sereda megan.sereda@sourcemediagroup.ca PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR
Wellspring Calgary provides cancer patients and their families with the support network they need at a time when they need it most. We know, we’ve traveled the journey with close friends and seen first-hand the impact an
Colleen Leier colleen.leier@sourcemediagroup.ca CONTRIBUTORS
Pat Fream, Jim Zang PHOTOGRAPHY
Sydney Fream Studio, Cheryl-Ann Orr, Jim Zang
organization like Wellspring can have on people’s mental and physical well-being.
ADVERTISING SALES
Heather Dougall heather.dougall@sourcemediagroup.ca,
And it’s not just the cancer patient themselves, it’s the entire family that can get involved,
Andrea Glowatsky andrea.glowatsky@sourcemediagroup.ca
whether it’s just gathering information,
Cindy Marks cindy.marks@sourcemediagroup.ca
attending some of the support groups, or
ACCOUNTING
climbing on a bike.
accounting@sourcemediagroup.ca
At Source Media Group, we contribute to Wellspring Calgary in a number of different ways. We ride in the Cancervive tours, we solicit advertising from third party companies to assist the cause, and we donate our own financial and
Norma Robertson Richard MacQuarrie Publishers, Source Media Group
personnel resources to publish Living Well, the magazine that’s all about Wellspring Calgary. We’re proud of our involvement with Wellspring Calgary, this is the fourth consecutive year for the magazine, and we’re thrilled to help support the completion of Wellspring Edmonton in January 2016. Wellspring needs your support now more than ever and we encourage you to get involved. Join us, you’ll be glad you did.
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Living Well® is published by Source Media Group Corp. in support of Cancervive and Wellspring Calgary, and is available free through select distribution points in Calgary. Material cannot be reprinted in whole or in part without the express written persmission of the publishers. Copyright 2015 by Source Media Group Corp. All rights reserved. Source Media Group Corp. agrees to advertise on behalf of the advertiser without responsibility for claims or misinformation made by the advertiser and acts only as an advertising medium. Source Media Group reserves the right to refuse any advertising at its sole discretion. Contact: Source Media Group, 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9. E-mail info@sourcemediagroup.ca; Tel 403.532.3101; Fax 403.532.3109; Toll free 1.888.932.3101; Printed in Canada. Distributed by Gallant Distribution Services, Media Classified, Source Media Group. PUBLICATIONS AGREEMENT NO. 41072011. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Source Media Group, 207 - 5809 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0J9.
wellspring calgary message
Building dreams Wellspring Calgary was born of a dream. Our three co-founders dreamed of building a place where anyone living with cancer, and those who love them could freely access vital, evidence-informed programs and resources and find support and comfort on their journey. With this vision to guide us, and with the tremendous help and support of countless people and numerous businesses, Wellspring Calgary launched in 2007. Since opening Carma House in the northwest, Wellspring Calgary has witnessed exponential growth in membership and become a highlyprized resource for people impacted by cancer. Generous donations and partnerships have enabled us to flourish and expand our programs, but we still grapple with the knowledge that there are many people out there who have not heard of Wellspring or cannot access our programs at our present location. To that end, in 2014 we developed a strategic growth plan that would enable us to expand into south Calgary and reach more people in
David Harvie President, Wellspring Calgary Board of Directors
those and surrounding rural communities. With the substantial support of Cedarglen Homes and many more partners, we launched a temporary south pilot that offered Wellspring programs at a beautiful Cedarglen showhome in Auburn Bay. Read more on this incredible gift on page 12. This unique opportunity confirmed our need to establish a permanent Wellspring presence in the south. As we strive toward this goal, our sights remain firmly fixed on our quest to help people pick up the pieces of their lives following a cancer diagnosis, and to feel empowered and hopeful as they navigate their way. Each day is a new opportunity for us to achieve this goal, and wherever you are, if your new day includes living with cancer, know that Wellspring Calgary is here for you so that no one needs to face cancer alone.
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cancervive message
Cycle of Hope As President of the Cancervive Foundation of Alberta, I am proud to be a part of the 10th Annual Cancervive ride and fundraising in support of Wellspring Calgary. The group’s initial goal was to help facilitate the opening of Alberta’s first Wellspring and 10 years later, while we continue to support Wellspring Calgary, we also celebrate a new Wellspring opening soon in Edmonton. Collectively over the years, our riders and volunteers have cycled through two countries, across six provinces and 18 states, and last September, we began our Tour du Cancervive shoveling heavy snow from the tops of our vehicles prior to our journey from Edmonton to Calgary. This year, we will again follow a five-day route through our beautiful province from Calgary to Edmonton. Each cyclist and volunteer has their own personal reasons for being involved but all know that this feat pales in comparison to the courage required to live with a cancer diagnosis. Through this endeavour, riders find the strength to push themselves, many of them beyond their physical comfort zone. Cancervive’s mission, ‘Working together in support of those living with and surviving beyond cancer’ embodies the Wellspring vision, ‘No one has to face cancer alone’. Visit us at www.cancervive.ca, join us at Wellspring Calgary on September 9 as we embark on our five-day journey, and consider helping us with a gift of a donation or the gift of a volunteer commitment for next year. Together we can ensure that no one ever faces cancer alone.
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Heather Friesen President, Cancervive Board of Directors
Written by Pat Fream
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member profile
Photography by Sydney Fream Studio
Calgary couple finds a community of hope at Wellspring Calgary
The long way home N
iels Mikkelsen will tell you he has never really looked unwell. So when he and his wife Jennifer tell the harrowing story of slaying cancer not once but twice while carrying on with work and life and starting a family, it seems unlikely that he is a main character in the story. And when they go on to explain that after overcoming testicular cancer and lymphatic cancer, Niels suffered another body invasion in the form of brain tumor that now hinders his ability to work, focus, and at times remember how to place toilet paper on the roll… it is utterly incomprehensible. He just looks so well. “I think that was a big part of the reason I found it hard to recognize the emotional problems I was having and get the help I needed,” says 39-year-old Niels. “I never looked sick, never allowed myself to be sick; I guess I didn’t really believe I was sick.” Jennifer believed he was sick. She believed it when he told her he had made an appointment to see the doctor about a persistent pain he was having in his testicle (“He never went to the doctor!”). She believed it when their first son learned to walk in the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. She believed it when he had brain surgery on December 23, leaving her to explain to two little boys that daddy would not be home for Christmas. “We’ve always been as up front as possible with our kids,” said Jennifer. “So at ages four and 18 months I sat them down and said, ‘You know how in the summer when we get a
dandelion in the lawn we pull it out so it doesn’t make the rest of the grass sick? Well Daddy has a weed like that in his head and it’s making him sick so the doctors need to take it out’.” As it happens the doctors could not take it all out. Though thankfully benign, the golf ball sized pituitary adenoma that was crushing his optic nerves, pituitary glands and carotid artery, refused to be totally eliminated. Hence, they now live with the knowledge that this weed is growing back slowly and there will be future surgeries when signs indicate ☞
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member profile
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that it has taken over again In the months leading up to the brain tumor diagnosis Niels was constantly angry, persistently depressed and exhausted. “He was impossible to live with… we were close to getting a divorce,” said Jennifer. When an optic exam uncovered the adenoma they couldn’t believe they had misread the signs. “We were new parents, had active boys, weren’t getting enough sleep, I had had cancer twice and radiation, I was working, and the headaches — likely from the scratched safety glasses I was wearing at work — you have to strain to see,” said Niels. “There’s always a way to explain away the stuff you don’t want to see.” In the midst of this tsunami of turmoil, Jennifer found an unexpected ray of hope — Wellspring Calgary. “I was having a bad day at work and one of my co-workers said, ‘I know of this place for people dealing with cancer — I think you need to go there’,” said Jennifer. “When I called Wellspring I just sobbed on the phone for half an hour and this amazing person on the other end was so kind and gentle … she just listened.” The couple immediately accessed Wellspring’s Money Matters program to learn what coverage they qualify for and how to manage their cancer-related expenses. They rave about how they received clarity and validation from the skilled and caring co-ordinator. find to far ✻ You don’t have to look Niels joined the Men’s Group someone much sicker than you and finds that there he can are — so many are worse off! face his emotions without Stop feeling sorry for yourself. fear or judgement. Together the pair has found great joy. ✻ It is what it is! Find the solace in attending the Brain ✻ Have a bad day, have a big cry, Tumor Support Group. “We go to Wellspring, get on with it. and we feel like we ✻ If we can help one person to belong,” said Jennifer. get help sooner, get diagnosed “There, when someone sooner, find Wellspring Calgary, says ‘I know’ — they’re not trying to imagine — it’s worth it.
Jennifer’s notes to self
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We go to Wellspring, and we feel like we belong” they really know! That’s the best feeling; a whole community of people who know.” There is laughter when Jennifer and Niels quip back and forth about the reality of belonging to Wellspring. “I mean, let’s face it, it’s not exactly the kind of place you want to have to belong to!” said Niels. “But the people there are the people you want on your team. They’re the fighters, choosing to live and make life better in spite of everything,” adds Jennifer. Today, Niels and Jennifer take each day one cautious step at a time and with childlike expectations. Jennifer is the main breadwinner, leaving the house at 5 a.m. daily for her downtown commute to the oil and gas company where she is a contractor; her goal is to be home for dinner by 6. Niels does his best to manage a carefully planned regiment of tending to a few basic home chores and taking care of himself and the boys when they’re not in daycare. Some days are easier than others. “There are days when I just can’t function. I call them bad brain days. I can’t stay focused enough to make lunch for the kids or even get us all dressed,” said Niels. “It’s tough, but it will get better. I’m learning to be patient with myself.” The boys are the bright spot for both of them. Together the foursome spends time at the nearby park, participates in geocaching, goes camping, and makes a point of doing and checking off the activities on a 60-line, kid-chosen bucket list. (Ice cream for dinner is a highlight!) “The flipside of ‘why me’ is ‘why not someone else … why not you!’ and we don’t feel that way at all — we would never wish this on anyone else,” said Jennifer. “But we are here and there has to be a reason. If we can tell our story and help one other person who feels as lost as we felt, maybe that’s the reason. Maybe that’s the why me … so I can help make sure it isn’t you.” LW
sponsor profile
Written by Pat Fream
Corporate sponsorship Giving members hope
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hen Nu-Way Floor Fashions became Wellspring Calgary’s first ‘Toupee for a Day’ event sponsor in 2012, the connection was a genuine fit. "I lost my own wife to cancer so I understand the toll the disease can take on families,” said Fred Gifford, President and CEO of the familyrun company. Since signing on for sponsorship, NuWay continues to be a main supporter of Wellspring’s signature event. “You don’t have to be a big company to make a big difference in people’s lives; you just have to care,” said Gifford, underscoring the fact that every $100 raised gives one Wellspring Calgary member a month of free programs. “An event like this can help hundreds of people.” For Wellspring Calgary member Lori Healy, the Toupee event resonates. “Lots of people say the hair is silly or wearing it is embarrassing but I tell them to me it represents all the different colours of cancer and wearing it gives me an opportunity to speak about it and bring awareness to Wellspring programs,” she explains. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, Lori overcame great odds when she recovered from surgery and lived well beyond the three year life expectancy doctors gave her. Although she has endured major paralysis to her left side, she has managed to continue enjoying a relatively full and active life. In 2008, Lori discovered Wellspring Calgary and she and her husband Len (who had quit his job to care for her) began taking classes. “We took Tai Chi together and found it very beneficial,” she said. Lori sampled other Wellspring classes and
today she continues to enjoy Healthy Steps™, Tai Chi and Moves in Rhythm. “These classes have helped me regain a lot of my strength, mobility, balance, coordination and brain function,” said Lori. Nowadays, what’s equally important to Lori is to get the message out to others about the benefits of Wellspring Calgary and she does this by participating in and raising funds for Toupee for a Day. “Wellspring has been a Godsend to me and my family. It gives me a good feeling to know I’m doing something to give back.” LW
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Lori Healy
You don’t have to be a big company to make a big difference in people’s lives; you just have to care.”
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future growth
Firm foundation
Calgary home builders invest in wellness
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hen you consider the tremendous task home builders undertake to construct beautiful secure homes and create strong welcoming communities, it’s little wonder they are a perfect partner for Wellspring Calgary. This perfect fit was first discovered in 2007 when Brookfield Residential (then Carma Developers) celebrated its 50th Anniversary by miraculously offering Wellspring Calgary the gift of a home, along with support in acquiring land in northwest Calgary. Then, on one unforgettable day, 330 Carma staff from across North America came together and brick by brick, Carma House literally sprung to life… and with it, Wellspring Calgary’s vision of a community where people could face cancer together. “Carma was absolutely amazing. Their gift was unprecedented” said Patti Morris, Executive Director of Wellspring, adding, “Other Calgary builders also offered incredible support, including Cedarglen Homes, who generously donated a gift of $100,000 once our doors were opened.” In the years since then, both Brookfield and Cedarglen Homes have continued to endorse Wellspring Calgary, and in 2014, Scott Haggins, Chairman and CEO of Cedarglen Home, once again came forward with a magnificent proposal to give Wellspring a boost. “Cedarglen Homes had this unique idea of designing and building a show home in
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Step by step, with unwavering commitment, careful planning and the phenomenal support of individuals and corporations, Wellspring is fulfilling its mission and vision.”
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the southwest that could build awareness of Wellspring Calgary, so people touring it could learn about our programs and services,” said Morris. “This was incredibly fortuitous timing because we were bursting at the seams at our north Carma House location while also experiencing demand for more. We saw this as a great opportunity to build awareness and obtain a better understanding of supportive care needs in Calgary and rural communities.” With support from Brookfield, Cedarglen Homes constructed a beautiful home in Auburn Bay. After three months of serving as both a show home and a Wellspring Calgary south program pilot, Cedarglen Homes auctioned off the showhome and donated the proceeds of more than $524,000 to Wellspring in the form of a multi-year gift. Cedarglen Homes also invited its trades and suppliers to support Wellspring, and remarkably, many generously obliged with time, talents and supplies. “This was more than we could have ever dreamed of!” said Morris. “In addition to this astounding financial gift, this project gave us all the evidence we needed to develop a growth strategy that we are now moving forward with – a creative response to the demand for our services in the south. It also, as Scott had hoped, helped to create greater awareness of Wellspring in the
Written by Pat Fream
Wellspring Calgary at a Glance Calgary community.” Albi Homes was next to step up and give Wellspring a hand, offering the gift of space for Wellspring to run programs at its head office location in south Calgary. “This immediate response from Albi allowed Patti Morris us to continue to respond to those who needed our support after the pilot concluded,” notes Morris. “It also afforded us the time and space to create a more permanent plan.” “Step by step, with unwavering commitment, careful planning and the phenomenal support of individuals and corporations, Wellspring is fulfilling its mission and vision,” said Morris. “Together we are ensuring that no one has to face cancer alone.” LW
MISSION Wellspring Calgary is a warm and welcoming community that provides a comprehensive range of support, resources and programs so that anyone living with cancer, and the people who care about them, can improve the quality of their lives.
VISION No one has to face cancer alone.
QUICK FACTS Programs: Wellspring Calgary offers roughly 55 evidence-informed programs free-of-charge to anyone over 18 years of age who is living with cancer, and their primary caregivers.
Network: Wellspring Calgary is modelled after and is a member of the greater Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation ‘Wellspring network’ – based out of Toronto - a Canada-wide network of community-based centres that provide emotional, social, spiritual and informational support to individuals and families living with cancer.
Funding: Wellspring Calgary receives no government or agency core funding but relies solely on the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations and grassroots fundraisers. Team Effort: Wellspring Calgary has nine permanent staff, two contract employees, 70 program facilitators, and more than 160 volunteers. Annually volunteers donate more than 10,000 hours of service to support over 22,000 hours of program delivery.
Carma House
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volunteer profile
Written by Pat Fream
Love and support
Cancer survivor knows what it takes
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yan Gellatly was in his early 20s finishing his last semester of business school at McGill University when life threw him a curveball. Testicular cancer. Within weeks of diagnosis, while he should have been preparing for his December finals, Ryan found himself forced to withdraw from school to have surgery. Afterwards, he moved home to Calgary where family and friends could support him, and in the months that followed he had chemotherapy at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. “Throughout the process I realized that cancer was the first real adversity I had faced,” said Ryan. “Both my grandmothers had had cancer and were of considerable strength to me.” Anxious to get on with life after treatment, Ryan immediately launched back into his studies and finished the last three courses of his degree. He then got a job at a major accounting firm in Calgary and began pursuing his Chartered Accountant designation. It was around this time that he learned that the cancer had spread. “I had a check-up that revealed that I would need Retro Peritoneal Lymph Node Dissection (surgery to remove affected lymph nodes in the abdomen),” said Ryan. “The diagnosis was very sobering.” By this time Ryan had met his (now current) wife Cassia, and she joined him in the struggle to overcome his second major bout of adversity. “It really struck me that as difficult as I found treatment, the people that were most affected were my family and friends,” said Ryan. “They lived the cancer journey as well and I was
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Ryan and Cassia Gellatly
overwhelmed by the affect this illness had on those I love most.” Today Ryan is living well… cancer free and happily married. He has his Chartered Accounting designation and continues to enjoy his job. When he can, he volunteers at Wellspring Calgary. “I didn’t know about Wellspring when I was sick, but this organization truly understands what people need when they have cancer,” said Ryan. “They know that people touched by cancer are all unique and they offer a wide range of programs so everyone gets the help they need. Love and support are at the heart of everything wellspring offers.” LW
cancervive founder
Written and photography by Jim Zang
Life is good Cancervive founder tells inspirational story
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or Brian McGregor, reading a book literally saved his life. “After reading Lance Armstrong’s book, It is Not About the Bike,” says Brian, “I performed my own self examination and discovered that I had a lump on my testicle.” Since that day in June 2003, everything changed big-time for the then 43-year-old Drilling Engineer who now works as a Drilling and Completions Manager, recently finishing a two-year assignment in Egypt. His was a typical middle-class existence. Born and raised in Calgary, the youngest of four children, he grew up in Lakeview (where he still lives) and attended Jennie Elliot, Bishop Pinkham and Central Memorial (his favourite teacher was Louis B. Hobson), then U of C where he graduated with a degree in Engineering in 1982. He married Maureen, whom he met through mutual friends, and had two sons, Michael (31) and Evan (25). Life was good. A couple of appointments with his doctor later he was referred to a specialist who immediately scheduled surgery and removed the testicle. “I was informed that it was cancerous but it had been contained. It actually seemed like a nonevent because it had already been removed by the time I found out it was cancer..” Unfortunately it was not contained and the cancer spread to Brian’s lymph nodes and lungs. Three months later it was determined he needed to undergo chemotherapy.
Bryan McGregor
“When I got the phone call to come in to see the doctor I knew it was back,” he says. “My concern was for my wife and sons — I did not tell them for five days. I needed to process it myself so I could be stronger for them. We were all numb but we all had one common thought — the sooner we get the chemo started the sooner we can start the recovery.” The chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer is intense and brutal, but fortunately only over a few months and with a high success rate. It involved four rounds of 96 hours of continuous IV in a hospital, with three-week recovery periods in between to gather enough strength for the next round. “During my first day of chemo,” says Brian, “Lance Armstrong was in Calgary as part of a fundraiser. Because Maureen had been so nice to the hospital staff they arranged ☞
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cancervive
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Our ride in Italy fueled my recovery but the ride with Lance in Austin in 2004 was when I knew I was back. It was such a great weekend for me I wanted to share it with everyone I knew.” to have Lance stop by for a visit. That short visit gave me the inspiration I needed for what lay ahead. He told me I would get through it and I told him I would see him again next year at his charity bike ride in Austin (Livestrong). It gave me a goal to aim for.” As soon as Brian finished his chemo, he started riding his bicycle. “Slowly, at first, “he says, “my lungs were in rough shape. But I was training for a cycling vacation in Italy, my first ‘bucket list’ item, and I wanted to fulfil my promise to ride in Austin with Lance, my second ‘bucket list’ item. Our ride in Italy fueled my recovery but the ride with Lance in Austin in 2004 was when I knew I was back. It was such a great weekend for me I wanted to share it with everyone I knew.” Brian decided to try and assemble a team of friends to join him in the Austin challenge. “Evan signed up, as did 20 other riders. We did the ride and in the process raised $250,000 for cancer survivors. That first ride in 2005 was wild! We had no idea what to expect and had a lot to learn. It was a bunch of guys going through mid-life crisis and my son,” he laughs. “After we finished the ride we heard about Wellspring and its mandate fit with us. That is how the partnership began.” A lot has changed since then, for Lance Armstrong and for Brian. And while they might take away Armstrong’s Tour de France championship yellow jerseys, they can never take away the impact and inspiration his Livestrong campaign and personal story had on
people like Brian. Who knows, without Brian, without Lance Armstrong, maybe there is no Cancervive? “Cancervive has grown far beyond anything I could have imagined and it’s all because of the great people who have gotten involved and the teamwork they are committed to,” says Brian. “I will always be a part of Cancervive because it will always be a part of me. Life is good!” LW
7 survival tips Brian’s words of advice to people dealing with cancer:
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Get big fast - find out everything you can. This is your life. Get an advocate.
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Be as healthy as you can - weeds don’t grow on a healthy lawn.
Create a Bucket List - the best way to get through trauma is to focus on something positive.
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Set realistic physical goals - give yourself something to train for. Good physically and mentally.
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Create a plan - you need to find what your new normal life will be.
Family, Faith, Friends and Fun. This is a direct quote from John Stephure, one of Wellspring Calgary’s co-founders, and these words inspired Brian to get involved. It’s #6 on his list but #1 in priority.
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Pay it forward - when you help someone heal, you will heal yourself.
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cancervive
Written by Jim Zang
Happy Birthday Cancervive! Fundraising organization officially 10 years young
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ancervive has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a group of friends going down to Texas. Thousands of miles, in fact, as Cancervive riders have travelled from Calgary to Austin in 2005, 2006 and 2007; then to Philadelphia in 2008 and San Jose in 2009. Back to Austin in 2010 and 2011, and then to Lewiston, Maine in 2012. Last year marked the first ever “Tour du Cancervive,” consisting of a four-day, 430 kilometre tour from Edmonton to Calgary. “It was a huge success,” says Peggy Brosens, general manager of Cancervive, “and riders were delighted to stay local and spend the days and evenings together as an entire group.” This year riders will embark on the second Tour du Cancervive, this time leaving from Wellspring Calgary and heading east through Drumheller before arriving at Wellspring Edmonton — currently under construction. And that’s what it’s all about. Providing families living with cancer with access to the emotional, social and information support they need. Wellspring offers programs such as movement and meditation, expressive arts, information and education (e.g. money matters related to cancer), and programs just for caregivers and young adults. The Wellspring Calgary Speaker Series features knowledgeable guest experts and is open to the general public.
A significant fundraiser for Wellspring, The Cancervive Foundation of Alberta (Cancervive) operates as a separate non-profit organization. It's completely volunteer based, Brosens is the only employee, so 100 per cent of all donated funds go straight to Wellspring. To date, more than $2 million has been raised, including $120,000 on last year’s ride. “It would be nice to hit $150,000 this year,” says Brosens, “but our goal really is just to always raise more than the year before.” What does two million dollars mean over eight years? “It means we were able to run programs like yoga, exercise, cancervive-a-tri (a real triathlon prep for cancer survivors), a bicycle ☞
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cancervive
program, educational programs, and more,” says Suzan Valenta, Director of Philanthropy at Wellspring Calgary. “With these funds, over 200 people EACH YEAR for the past eight years were able to access our free resources and programs for the full 12 months! That’s 1,600 people receiving the support, information and community they need to pick up the pieces and define their new ‘normal’ after a cancer diagnosis! Without Cancervive, we could not have done this,” she says. The 2015 Tour du Cancervive is a five-day, 660 kilometre ride beginning at Wellspring Calgary on Wednesday, September 9 and arriving at Wellspring Edmonton (still under construction) on Sunday, September 13. Riders are fully
supported the entire way by volunteer aid stations, mechanical support kindly donated by Bow Cycle, vans from Driving Force and medical support generously offered by Advanced Safety Paramedics. It’s quite the travelling road show, with no less than 20 volunteers, including medics, videographer, drivers, bike mechanic in five vans and two ambulances, plus assorted board members in personal vehicles. Riders are encouraged to raise a minimum of $3,000, says Brosens, with all proceeds going to either Wellspring Calgary or Wellspring Edmonton. If a rider wishes to sponsor a ‘warrior’ (a cancer patient currently going through cancer) to join the ride on the last day from Leduc to Edmonton, the fundraising level is $5,000. “We had 27 riders last year and we’re aiming for 40 this time around,” says Brosens. “It’s a great week of fundraising and fellowship — everybody starts the day together and everybody finishes the day together.” LW
For more info
about the ride or other events, please visit www.cancervive.ca. Wellspring Calgary or Wellspring Edmonton, visit www.wellspringcalgary.ca or www.wellspringedmonton.ca
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Events support Cancervive
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ancervive may exist solely to raise money for Wellspring, but it’s by no means the only way Wellspring Calgary is supported. For the past three years, a group of Calgary businessmen have held a small tournament called Calgary Oilpatch For Cancervive and, amidst all the fun they’ve had, have raised nearly $50,000 for Cancervive. Last February, the Progress Club of Calgary had a ‘gentlemen’s luncheon’
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fundraiser, with $9,500 finding it’s way to Wellspring. Another fun event is the Braveheart Golf Tournament , this year to be held Monday, September 28, at Earl Grey Golf Club in southwest Calgary. The cost is $250 and includes golf, cart, prizes, and a meal featuring authentic Scottish fare such as haggis. Sounds fun, but please, no bagpipes while I’m trying to putt!
Written by Jim Zang
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Photography by Cheryl-Ann Orr
cancervive rider
Pedal pusher Calgary nurse cycles in support of Cancervive
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aren Verzyl is one of the lucky ones. She’s never had cancer. Like many people, however, the 45-year-old transplanted Hamiltonian has been touched by the disease. Just a year ago she lost a cousin to cervical cancer, and she’s lost two close uncles to prostate cancer. “I’m also a nurse,” she says, “so I see these kinds of things on a daily basis, how it affects people and their families.” So when her friend Norma Robertson asked her to join the Cancervive ride in support of Wellspring last summer, Karen jumped at the chance. “It’s nice to have a place where people can get support,” says the mother of two teenage girls. “At first, I wasn’t sure I could do it, but when I think about the cancer patients and their families, this is nothing like the fight they’re going through.” Not only did she complete the ride from Edmonton to Calgary last summer, but she’s already “worked my way up to doing a 70K ride this weekend” in preparation for this year’s Calgary to Edmonton trek. She also bought a new bike last year which, she says, “has made all the difference in the world.” How her new artificial knee holds up is another story, “but it’s all good,” she says. “We build such strong friendships along the way, working towards a common goal for something that affects so many people, but everyone differently.” Her words of advice for anyone else who wants to ride: “Be prepared,” she laughs, “because anyone who thinks Alberta is flat is kidding themselves.” LW
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facilitator profile
Written by Pat Fream
Mind, body and spirit
Wellspring Calgary program facilitators light the way
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ellspring Calgary offers a multitude of self-care and caregiving programs that resonate for many people who are living with cancer and those who love them. Programs encompass an array of topics, including: emotional and spiritual issues, grief, mind and body connections, managing thoughts, and that ongoing search for purpose and meaning in life. Workshops in self-care and caregiving include group sessions that practice Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch and Reiki as well as other mindfulness disciplines like expressive arts and laughter yoga. Wellness-centred approaches underscore the importance of nurturing the ‘whole’ self, offering astonishing potential for mind, body and spirit enrichment, along with measurable benefits such as deep relaxation, refreshed energy and renewed inspiration. Wellspring programs and workshops are led by skilled and certified facilitators who are experienced and well-respected. Bob Glasgow is one of many esteemed Wellspring Calgary’s facilitators. Throughout his career, Bob has been a pastor, a chaplain and a counsellor, but perhaps he is best known for being the founder of the Bob Glasgow Grief Support Program offered by Alberta Health Services. Now in retirement, Bob divides his time between counselling first responders at STARS Air Ambulance, and providing group and individual sessions for members at Wellspring Calgary. “Wellspring Calgary majors in caring for the human spirit,” said Glasgow. “It’s a community that is very centred in its aim to give people the space, the
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Wellspring Calgary majors in caring for the human spirit.”
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Bob Glasgow
framework and the pathways to process and reflect on the human experience.” In Bob’s drop-in sessions at Wellspring (Thursdays with Bob) he helps members overcome feelings of isolation that often accompany cancer. “The group setting can be very powerful; it connects people to others who share similar suffering,” he said. In individual sessions with Bob, members receive a private space to explore their emotions. “These sessions often ground people and can help them find meaning and direction in the chaos of their emotions.” Having spent many years running the grief support program at the Rockyview Hospital, Bob is also aptly serving as Wellspring Calgary’s resident chaplain, offering one-on-one grief support to members by appointment. “My work at Wellspring reminds me of my favourite quote by Sulmassy…‘True healing will involve three very simple human elements: compassion, touch and conversation’.” LW
young adult programs
Written by Pat Fream
Young adults Face cancer together at Wellspring Calgary
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n exclusive stream of Young Adult (YA) programs are in development at Wellspring Calgary to help ease the isolation cancer can bring and create community and connection for people ages 18 to 39. Casey Berglund, registered dietitian and yoga teacher, and Bonnie Lang, personal trainer, fitness blogger and nutrition and wellness specialist, each facilitate a variety of these Wellspring programs, designed to help YAs socialize, share experiences, and feel supported by others who may be facing similar challenges. “I teach cooking classes where we talk about nutrition, prepare some amazing dishes as a group, and mindfully savour each bite at the end,” said Berglund. “We always have a lot of fun in my classes but also I aspire to create a safe environment where participants can authentically share feelings of isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty following their cancer diagnoses.” Berglund also teaches yoga where members learn mindful breathing, safe poses, deep relaxation and skills for tapping the body’s inner wisdom. New in her role as the Young Adult Coordinator at Wellspring Calgary, Bonnie joins Casey in easing the way for young adults facing cancer, with a mandate to address relevant issues such as financial challenges, relationship issues, career interruption, and feelings of fear and isolation.” “Having shared a challenging cancer journey with my own husband, who was diagnosed just five months after we were married, I feel I have a deep understanding of the range of emotions and difficult obstacles one has to overcome to regain their stride and achieve health and well-being
Above: Casey Berglund (far right) leads a Young Adults cooking class.
after cancer,” says Lang. Bonnie and her husband Mike also co-direct Survive & Thrive Expeditions, adventure trips for young adults living with cancer. As coordinator and facilitator at Wellspring Calgary, Lang hopes to build a close and caring community with programs such as YA Boot Camp along with an ‘out on the town’ activity night that encourages members to connect and explore the community together. Other potential programs include speakers specific to young adult issues and some outdoor programs. LW
Below: Bonnie Lang (bottom right) Wellspring Calgary Young Adults Co-ordinator.
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events
Upcoming events March 2, 2016 - Toupee For A Day On Wednesday March 2, 2016, show your support for people living with cancer by joining thousands of others who courageously wear a multi-coloured toupee. Those diagnosed with cancer often suffer hair loss and other ailments that can last a lifetime. For one day, demonstrate your solidarity by participating in the 5th annual Toupee For A Day, in support of Wellspring Calgary and people living with cancer.
www.toupeeforaday.com/calgary
April 9, 2016 - Light It Up Calgary A family friendly fun night run and walk where people shine a light for cancer support. Sporting bright headlamps, over 600 participants will make their way through the pathways of downtown Calgary in the dark. Registration opens fall 2015. Event details and register at www.lightitupcalgary.ca
May 1, 2016 - Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge On Sunday May 1, 2016, hundreds of firefighters from all over North America will ascend the 1,204 steps of Calgary’s BOW Tower in support of people living with cancer. Wearing their full duty gear and tackling the city’s tallest landmark, this event marks the highest elevation firefighter stairclimb in the world. To learn more and sponsor your favourite firefighter, or if you are one of many participating firefighting heroes, register online at www.calgarystairclimb.com
Get Involved. . .Volunteer We wish to express our gratitude to our wonderful team of volunteers whose collective efforts contribute to the heartbeat of Wellspring Calgary. Their contribution of time and talent is a gift of immeasurable worth. Volunteers embody the generosity, concern and compassion that Wellspring Calgary extends to all who seek support in dealing with cancer. Whether you have experienced your own cancer journey, have been a caregiver for someone with cancer, or if you are someone who has skills to share, Wellspring Calgary welcomes your support.
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For further information, please contact Wellspring Calgary’s Community Engagement Manager, Teresa Schwarz 403.521.5292 or email teresas@wellspringcalgary.ca
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