Rebecca Perkins, an outreach manager for Wellspring Alberta, met with the cancer team at the Lloydminster Cancer Centre at the hospital last Thursday to spread awareness of free non-medical cancer supports for those living with cancer. Perkins also visited a few other community service groups in the city to wrap up her second tour throughout the province. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Wellspring Alberta, a non-profit charity based in Calgary, doesn’t want anyone to face cancer alone.
Rebecca Perkins, an outreach manager for Wellspring, ended her second tour of the province in Lloydminster last Thursday to promote awareness of their mental health, wellness and community support for anyone living with cancer.
“We know that accessibility and availability of cancer support differ greatly across the province from community to community,” said Perkins.
“So, as outreach manager for Wellspring Alberta, we’re really trying to help build stronger cancer support communities in our regional areas.”
Perkins set out in Lloyd to connect Wellspring’s services with the cancer team at the Lloydminster Cancer Centre at the hospital, the Primary Care Network and Family, Family Community Support Services and some local medical clinics.
Wellspring is the only organization in Alberta dedicated to providing the non-medical needs cancer patients face including help with distress and workplace challenges.
Their diverse programs include peer support groups, nutrition and financial support workshops, yoga and art therapy.
“All of our programs are available free of charge for patients and caregivers. We have a wide variety of programs online,” said Perkins who notes there are more than 70 programs available.
Wellspring also runs programs at centres in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Red Deer.
“We welcome anyone who is travelling for treatment, maybe from Lloydminster, to stop in our centres,” said Perkins.
Wellspring has volunteers throughout the province to connect cancer patients and their families to their services and is looking for a connector volunteer in Lloydminster.
“We are a provincial organization and we look forward to connecting with anyone who is supporting anyone living with cancer or has had cancer themself,” said Perkins.
“Everything we do is based on the premise you do not need to face cancer alone.”
Perkins says Wellspring programs are about reducing isolation and improving skillsets and strategies for coping with cancer.
“We have a lot of fun in our programs too. We make people laugh and enable people to live a high quality of life through their cancer journey,” she said.
Perkins says she encourages people to look at their website at WellspringAlberta.ca or call their toll-free number Monday to Friday.
“We welcome the opportunity to speak with you,” she said.
Wellspring relies heavily on donations with their big funder being the Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge to the top floor of Calgary’s tallest building on June 9.
Lloydminster Fire Department chief Aaron Buckingham said they don’t have anyone participating in the stair climb at this time.
Those who do are tasked with climbing 1370 stairs and 57 storeys of Brookfield Place in modified firefighter gear.
