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à - TKeCanadiàji Champion, Tuesday, epteffnber 19, 2000 Highe trnou for opnhueatO kil fac*lity geared to -people fighting cancer By HOWARD MOZEL Special to The Champion Considering the outpouring of support to bring Wellspring House to Oakville, Wednesday's huge tumnout for the facility's open house shouldn't have surprised anyone. Even no, thse sheer numbers pleasanîly overwhelmed manager Judi Perry-Brinkert, who was busy ail day leading tours for inter- ented residents while explaining Wellspring's mandate and bene- fils. Guesta ranged from cancer patienta and their loved ones to the simply curioua. What they found is a bright, cheerful place filled with light - and lite - with programa that run from peer coun- aelling to yoga. "It's like a home, as non-clinical as you can possibly get," said Ms Perry-Brinkert. It's important for us for people who come thmough the front door 10 feel at home." The Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation was established in Toronto in 199210o help MiI the void between the cancer care sys- tem and support nervicen. The Oakville Uptown Core Park aite - which is associated with Credit Valley Hospital, the designated cancer treatment cen- tre for Halton and Peel - is a more convenient location for those who had to travel 10 Toronto in the paat. Cancer patients and famiies find support At Wellapring, cancer patients and their families and friends receive comfort, support, practical information and much more. Wellspring's success resta with the high quality of its 30-plut support programs, ail of which are predicated on the principle of peer-to-peer counseling. The programs are open t0 ail cancer patients regardîcas of where they live, but there are no medical treatments of any kind. Wellspring's expansion to Oakville met with the unprecedented grasaroots backing of area businesses and individuals (ha( cut across al social and economnic lines. More (han 200 builders and contractors constructed the house while a total of more than 800 companies and individuals saw the project thmough. There is now a core ot 85 dedicated volunteers working in tise place. The Metrontario Group and Mattamy Homes Ltd., for example, donated the construction cont of the premises worth an estimatrd $300,000. "The community (support) tisat haa comne forward has been unreal," aays Ms Penry-Brinkert, who explained that the Town of Oakville leases Wellspring the site for $1 a year. "Every lime 1 come in here l'mn in awe." The main activity -room - including a gas fireplace, vaulted ceiling, French doors and plenly of windows - is large enough for at least 12 people 10, practice yoga. Everyone is welcome to the peer support room witisout a refer- raI. There people can dmop in and talk and receive support from volu*nteers who can direct thers to appropriate programa. A vol- Photo by PETER C. MCCUSKER Members of the Wellspring Foundlng Committee are: (front row, left ta right) Sandy Farley, OakvlIe Mayor Ann Mulvate, Victoria Shtpp and Frances Ruatom (second row, lait la rtght) Liz Thomson, Lotte Grant, Carole Thompson, Pst Atkinson, Anne Day (back row, lot ta right) Stop Nyholt, Audrey WilIamson and Pat Arch. unteer will aiways ise on duty at the front reception desk during house hours. Tise houes are cutrentiy Monday 10 Fniday fromn 9 ara. 10 5 p.m. and Mondays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. More nigisa wili likely ise added as demand increases. "When we gel eigist or nine names on tise liaI we'll start a group," said Ms Peny-Brinkert. 'Whenever tise demand comes, a programi starts." . Open only two months, Wellspring has more than 70 members already signed up and invoived with programs. "Tihis far exceeded our expectations," Ms Perry-Brinkert added. Wellspring offers everything from coping strategies (positive willpower, journaling, art îherapy) to, meditalion and tai chi. There's also a resource libraty. To carry ail] this out, the non-profit Wellspring Houne relies on money from corporations, individuals and in memoriama. No govemment funding is provided. This year, though, it wili be a beneficiary of tise Oakville Dream Home Lotlery. Wellspring will officially open Thursday when Ontario Minister of Heallh Elizabeth Witmer will be on hand a( the facili- îy. An officiai opening ceremony will be heid at 2 p.m. Tise pub- lic is welcome. COGECO 14 Programmlng Schedule - September l9th, 2000 -September 25th, 2000 l0w, ln,Nioer MjdtlWtiantlin. Nom oh ion.n lin,,tlmoor hkei 108m ln N»o NO Wd Encor ttic. nc Encor ~~ 1'" ~~~~50,6e0, 72M N*WI 520,120,7:20pt ftUOdk M!l07On~roId 2 2 3pPieh www.cogeco.ca mm aie foi» C*t DmhCna Hautl Wft=ftO W«ln5 6U oiwn n te Edl 21 Main Street Nort.a 8.0p motn ROlbCOU wa8OPn SPntsaorLi Acton, ON U)2 IV9 519-853-1270, or 853-4700 Feaur tt week: Ibo Seon prenier of "SportsZone Uven - Monday, Spm.