Cancer Connect program comes to Lethbridge
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 14, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com A new program has been launched in Lethbridge for those living with cancer and for their caregivers, to have a safe space to gather and learn strategies for everyday life while battling the disease.Wellspring Alberta, a registered charity that began in Calgary in 2007 as Wellspring Calgary and later merged with Wellsprings Edmonton to form Wellspring Alberta in 2022, is now serving the Lethbridge community with their in-person program called Cancer Connect.
Outreach manager for Wellspring Alberta, Rebecca Perkins spoke to the Herald Tuesday and said they are on a mission to bridge the gap in services to ensure all people living with cancer and their caregivers across the province can receive the support and tools they need to cope and live as well as possible with the disease.
“We’re really working hard at Wellspring Alberta to expand our cancer support services and we identified a need and a readiness for in-person programs in the wonderful community of Lethbridge,” said Perkins.
She said the Cancer Connect program is an informal gathering over coffee, tea and snacks, and is open for free to any adult living with cancer and their caregivers.
 “It provides a safe space for people to be able to connect and share, and not feel isolated in their journey and receive some strategies for supporting their mind, body and spirit. Our programs are led by professionals in the field and we have a local Lethbridge program leader running the Cancer Connect program,” said Perkins.
She said Wellspring Alberta provides a wide and diverse range of non-clinical cancer support programs and services for anyone living with cancer and their caregivers, while working closely with the healthcare sector who take care of the individuals, and Wellspring Alberta focuses on the psycho-social, quality of life, emotional, practical, and social aspects that are impacted during a cancer journey.
 They have programs online and telephone based for those unable to attend in-person programs.
 “We would love it if folks in the local community living with cancer could come to the Cancer Connect session, which is held at the Lethbridge Senior Centre once a month at 10 a.m. on a Friday,” said Perkins.
She said the programs they offer are available to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, no matter what type of cancer or what stage of their journey they are in.
Perkins said that as a charity not-for-profit organization, they rely on community support to be able to offer free programs for those who are living with cancer across the province and are always welcoming donations.
“We are looking for more localized support for funding, so we would love to have conversations with people who are interested in funding initiatives specifically in Lethbridge as we’re certainly looking for more community support so that we can continue to expand these programs locally,” said Perkins. Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter 4
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