Downtown agency provides financial supports for cancer patients

Kimberly Spice –

Victoria (not her real name.) received the devastating news approximately a year ago that she had breast cancer and as bad as those test results were, she also faced the confusing and frustrating dilemma of how her course of treatments would impact her job, finances, daily life and her future.

Riddled with the devastating news, the Bay and Gerrard resident was stunned, not knowing what to do next.

It was suggested by her physician to reach out to the organization The Wellspring Centre, which helps cancer patients in organizing and applying for financial aid, counseling and many other support programs for both patients and their families.

“When I arrived here I was wearing a wig. I was hot, tired and feeling crappy with the chemotherapy and feeling very afraid,” Victoria told The Bulletin. “I wondered how this was going to be my life. I had a peer counselor. All the peers have been cancer patients. For me I thought finally I can talk to someone who understands and I don’t have to explain everything. I was so relieved. I took my wig off and I could be myself. If you feel beautiful, you are beautiful and if you feel crappy, you feel crappy. They brought out areas that I could explore that I couldn’t do when I was working, such as meditation and painting.”

Victoria found The Wellspring Centre a beacon of support, which helped her navigate through financial agencies, which can be misunderstood or unknown that are needed when cancer patients take an extended leave of absence from work.

Along with financial guidance, and counseling in numerous areas, the centre also provides support for patients returning to the work force. The pressures of re-entering the job market are many, with the awkwardness of coworkers, the corporation’s unrealistic expectations and the stigma that can accompany patients.

Cancer survivor “Victoria” at the Wellspring offices.

“They have a return to work program,” commented Victoria, who is a physical therapist. “I know I’m going to be able to do it (return to work) because of the support that I have here. It’s amazing how little employers know about cancer. I learned to have a plan such as a gradual return and I know about the physical, cognitive, perceptual and environmental aspects. What I have learned here, is how to start the conversation with my employer and to know my rights.”

The Wellspring Centre has been in operation for the past 22 years and currently sees approximately 142 new clients per month in their three offices located in the GTA. They have now served more than 18,000 members.

There is no government funding, which can hinder the centre’s support goals. One large objective is to assist and aid men, women and children, including their families, across Canada but one hurdle for the organization is letting people know that they are there to help.

“While we do not receive any government funding, if we did, we would use the resources to ensure our continuing ability to provide a full roster of current programs, at no cost to the member, and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Wellspring far into the future,” stated Margaret Valois, director of communications and marketing.

An important next step for the centre will be to have a more virtual presence, which would enable them to reach out to more people in the GTA and beyond its borders.

More information can be found at their web page www.wellspring.ca and the Downtown administrative office can be reached at (416) 961-1928.