Wellspring information meeting Feb. 21

It takes a community to build a cancer support centre, and that is just what's happening in Caledon and Brampton.

What started as an idea less than three years ago is about to become a reality with the Wellspring Chinguacousy cancer support centre nearing completion. It is anticipated construction of the 6,000- square-foot facility will be finished in late February, and programming will begin shortly after. When the cancer support centre becomes fully operational, it is expected to receive more than 12,000 visits annually by people impacted with cancer.

The idea to open a centre in Brampton began in 2005 with Regional Councillor Gael Miles, herself a breast cancer survivor. As champion of the project, she organized a team of community leaders to take on the challenge of building and financing a Wellspring centre to serve Brampton and Caledon. It has quickly become a project of the entire community, with support from many sectors.

Miles describes Wellspring Chinguacousy as a gift to the community by the community. Citizens, health care professionals, community leaders, land developers, construction companies, service clubs, community groups, faith organizations, municipal government, legal firms and people who have been touched by cancer have joined together.

The Wellspring centre will provide social, emotional, psychological and informational support to people in their community coping with cancer every day. Trained health care professionals and caring volunteers work together to ensure people living with cancer do not have to face the devastating effects of this disease alone.

Wellspring Chinguacousy will be a non-institutional, non-residential, fullyaccessible facility run by the Wellspring Foundation. Their cancer support programs have been developed over the past decade by teams of oncology professionals, cancer patients, faith leaders and citizen volunteers working together to find innovative approaches to helping people touched by cancer.

A community information meeting for Caledon residents is scheduled for Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Caledon Council Chambers and all are invited and encouraged to attend. Residents can also access information through the centre's Web site at www.wellspringchinguacou sy.com or by calling (905) 874-2671.
Stan Cameron,
Wellspring Chinguacousy
Volunteer,
Palgrave