Town boosting efforts to set up Wellspring centre to help cope with cancer
By Bill Rea

Brampton Regional Councillor Gael Miles has been impressing a lot of people with her efforts to set up the new Wellspring Chinguacousy Cancer Support Centre, and Caledon councillors are on that list.

Miles came in for plenty of praise recently as she appeared before Town council to offer an update on the project, as well as to accept a financial contribution. The money came from council's last charitable golf tournament.

The idea for the centre is not even three years old, but it has been taking off at an impressive rate. The plan is to have construction of the 6,000-square-foot facility in Brampton completed by the end of February, with programming starting shortly after that. The eventual plan is to have more than 12,000 visits annually from people impacted by cancer.

Miles, who herself is a survivor of breast cancer, told councillors most people are not prepared for the news that they have the disease, but news like that is being delivered every day. She also observed there are few people today who have not been touched by cancer in some form.

A debilitating part of the ordeal is the emotional trauma associated with such a diagnosis, and Miles pointed out there is very little in Caledon, Brampton or the surrounding areas to help people cope. Doctors and other medical staffers are busy and really don't have the time to offer counselling.

Miles cited statistics from 2006 that 44 per cent of males and 39 per cent of females will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and those numbers are increasing.

Wellspring, she said, provides support services on a number of levels, including social, spiritual, psychological, etc. She added there are already centres operating in Toronto, Oakville, London and Niagara Falls.

Miles described Wellspring Chinguacousy as a gift from the community to the community. She added the project has been able to progress as fast as it has because so many people have been willing to help out.

For example, she said the Rotary Club of Bramalea has put up $50,000, and there have been other groups and organizations which have stepped up. "We haven't had any problem getting volunteers," she remarked, adding there are many grateful cancer survivors who want to give something back.

Fund-raising efforts are continuing, but Miles said they are getting close to their goal of $1.2 million.

"It really is just the beginning," she declared. "This centre will live on"

Miles also praised the support the effort has received from Caledon. The Town has been there from the start, she said, adding the only reason she hasn't been before council sooner is she's been so busy with the pace at which the project has been progressing.

"I will say it again, you are to be commended," Mayor Marolyn Morrison told Miles.

Councillor Annette Groves echoed those words, calling Miles a "caring, kind, compassionate person."

Groves also pointed out that cancer knows no borders, observing that most people know at least one or two people who have had the disease.

"You are providing hope for the survivors of cancer and the folks who are going through this very, very terrible disease," she remarked.

Councillor Nick deBoer said he was glad the golf tournament was able to yield money to support the cause.

"I do want to congratulate you of a job well started and a job that will be completed," he told Miles, adding Hospice Caledon also benefited from the event, and those two groups tie in together. Miles agreed that the efforts of Hospice and Wellspring compliment each other.