Free in-person cancer patient support brought to Medicine Hat

Wellspring Alberta is now offering more than 70 support programs in more than 140 communities, Medicine Hat included.

Outreach manager of Wellspring Alberta, Rebecca Perkins, stressed the significance of in-person support for those diagnosed with cancer.

It can provide a space to identify with others who are experiencing the same hardships, Perkins said Thursday.

“What we hear from many of our members, and we saw in Medicine Hat only last week when we launched this program is that there is a real power for sharing your story and being heard,” she told CHAT News.

“The in-person connection for many is so important in helping reduce that isolation, in helping share wisdoms and tips and strategies that others are experiencing on the journey as well.”

Perkins said that Wellspring support initially launched their outreach strategy in the province in March of 2020.

They have heard from the local community for some time now that non-clinical cancer support programs and services are a necessity in Medicine Hat.

Apart from the Prostate Cancer Support Group, there has not been any other local resources for cancer patients before Wellspring.

Perkins shared an example of a woman who had no means for resources when it came to cancer diagnosis support.

“She’s 83 and came to the launch of the Cancer Connect program. And she shared with the group that she was so desperate for in-person support and connection that she asked to join the Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group because nothing like this existed in Medicine Hat,” she said.

Charlotte Kessler, one of the first receivers of the support from the local Wellspring program, had been involved with the online services in the past.

“Their online resources are incredible, and they’ve got some great sessions. And I mean, seminars and sessions you can often do online without really much difference, but there’s a difference about being with people and actually being able to interact,” she said.

“Be there with them as you’re actually talking about your experiences, your struggles, your triumphs,” she added.

Kessler says that she hasn’t attended a Wellspring event yet that has excluded anyone or singled anybody out.

She encourages anyone who’s considering getting involved to do so, to continue growing the programs available to cancer patients.

She explains that the foundation is 100% local, and is the official charity of the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and Alberta Health Services for southeast Alberta.

“All the programs they put on, everything they’re going to be doing here in Medicine Hat is going to be driven by the support of the community,” she said.

“And those are things that the more support we can get, the more support we can give. And that just speaks loudly as to the kind of community we are,” she added.

Kessler says that although healthcare does provide support, a non-clinic program offers those diagnosed with cancer a source of community that is necessary when it comes to feeling heard.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

Free in-person cancer patient support brought to Medicine Hat

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