When you take part, you do your part to help people living with cancerEvery time you rise to the challenge and take part in a fundraising event — whether as a participant or a donor — you make someone’s life better.

Your involvement in Wellspring Calgary events raises funds crucial for making the cancer journey a little easier, by ensuring vital resources are available at no charge. But do you know you do even more? You show people living with cancer they aren’t alone. You raise awareness. You inspire others.

Some events, like the Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge, literally take it all a step higher. “It was the most strenuous thing I’ve ever done,” says Angela Davis, a volunteer firefighter with the

Penhold Fire Department, who dared herself to climb the 1,204 steps of the tallest building in Western Canada — Calgary’s Bow building — in full firefighting gear.

She candidly admits that 40 floors into the 55-floor climb, she fought back waves of nausea and wanted to quit. But she was pushed to the top by encouraging words from

fellow Penhold firefighter Joe Haineault and the strongest person Davis knows: her mom, who has cancer.

Why did more than 300 firefighters climb? “It wasn’t about us; it was about the cause,” Haineault says. “Everyone, directly or indirectly, knows someone with cancer. So an event like this tugs at our heartstrings. When you take part, you bring more awareness to the issue and the organization, and we formed a tighter bond with Wellspring Calgary.”

Davis couldn’t help but wonder if the emotional and physical exhaustion she felt was what her mother experienced on chemotherapy, or what her dad felt before he died of cancer years ago. When she wanted to quit, Haineault urged her on. “I didn’t want her to regret not finishing. You should never regret doing something for a charity, especially when it’s so close to your heart.”

Being part of the firefighter family motivated people, and Haineault believes “team” is equally important for people living with cancer. Firefighters wrote the names of people they were climbing for on their bibs. On his, Haineault wrote poignant words: “for the people who think they don’t have anyone.”

“When my family went through my dad’s cancer years ago, there wasn’t anyone who ‘got it’ for us to talk to, or to help us figure out what needed to be done,” Davis says. “We were pretty much on our own, and we struggled.

“But now that we’re on the journey again, we aren’t alone. My mom was able to turn to Wellspring Calgary and it lifted a huge burden off her. When you raise money for this organization, you know they’ll be there to help everybody.”

“At the top, looking at everyone’s faces, there was a lot of emotion and a lot of tears,” Haineault notes. “Most of us will be doing it again next year.”

Fall 2016

“The truth is, without community financial support, there will be no support like that offered by Wellspring Calgary for anyone living with cancer.” - Angela Davis

Thanks to you, no one has to face cancer alone

Members of the Penhold Fire Department climbed so people living with cancer will continue to have access to resources that make a difference in their lives. Front L-R: Danielle Meeres, Joe Haineault. Back L–R: Josh Wilson, Charity Angus, Nicole Thomson, Angela Davis

wellspringcalgary.ca

Your colourful ’do does it!Nu-Way Floor Fashions presented the best toupee day yet! The fifth annual Toupee for a Day was proclaimed on March 2, 2016, by Mayor Nenshi, and this year’s fundraising efforts were supported by two moving videos — compelling member accounts of how Wellspring Calgary is vital to their healing, and stories from people like you who wear toupees sharing why they dare to wear the hair and make a difference in the lives of those facing cancer. This year supporters netted nearly $45,000 to ensure cost-free programs and resources continue to be available to more than 3,600 people in Calgary and area. Member ambassador Lai Mooi Cheong shared her cancer story, saying Wellspring Calgary has eased her cancer journey by surrounding her with community support and empowering her with essential tools and resources. Her video and the others are available on Wellspring’s YouTube channel at http://tinyurl.com/gm6ag2b

Thank you to everyone who accepted the challenge to stand out and stand up for people living with cancer!

You’re a bright light!Illuminated houseThis year’s Light It Up theme kicked off in November with the second Light Up The House event at Carma House. Amid a wonderful display of Christmas lights generously donated by The Light Kings, and amplifying the spirit of joy, an exciting announcement about a generous donor’s challenge gift of $25,000 launched the year-end matching campaign. This extraordinary gesture inspired two additional matching challenge gifts of $5,000 each! In the following weeks, momentum continued, raising nearly $82,000 for Wellspring Calgary.

Illuminated pathwaysAt dusk on April 9, 2016, 460 walkers and runners sported headlamps to shine a light on cancer support and took to the pathways of downtown Calgary. The second annual Light It Up Calgary event (including the year-end matching campaign) netted just under $137,000 for people living with cancer. Emcee Gord Gillies from Global News ignited the crowd with his genuine passion for Wellspring and shared uplifting stories of gratitude and connection. The evening was fun and exhilarating, and participants were proud to shine the light on a cause they believe in.

MARCH 2ND 2016

Take part and make a difference.2 celebrate life!

Taking your support to new heightsOn May 1, 2016, the second annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge welcomed over 300 firefighters from across Canada and Northwestern U.S.A. who ascended the 1,204 steps, 775 vertical feet, of Calgary’s iconic Bow building. This year, a Jumbotron, DJ music and a free barbeque for participants, families and friends (held on 6th Avenue between Centre and 1st Street SE) proved to be a big hit. Firefighters and supporters enthusiastically took part and expressed their ongoing commitment to help those living with cancer by supporting this Wellspring event. Many said this stairclimb event topped any others they had participated in.

In total, the stairclimb netted nearly $170,000 for firefighters and citizens living with cancer. Just two days later, hearts went out to neighbours to the north, when many of the brave men and women who took part in the stairclimb were sent to battle the devastating Fort McMurray fires. This was a stark reminder of the life-saving difference firefighters make in communities, and their additional investment of time and energy to help raise funds and awareness for all people living with cancer is truly humbling.

SUPPORTERS SUPPORTING

Easier access to the info you need on the new-look wellspringcalgary.ca

If you’ve visited the website lately, you know there have been a few changes! The new look and feel aims to make it easier for you to access the information you need. If you haven’t seen the upgrade,

be sure to visit soon for information on programs, services, resources, news and upcoming events.

More doors are opening thanks to your giftsTwo recent and remarkable gifts are making it possible for people in the southern part of Calgary and beyond to benefit from Wellspring Calgary’s support. While the economy may be struggling, the need for supportive cancer care continues to grow rapidly in southern Alberta. With the help of compassionate donors like you, more doors are literally opening to ensure that no one has to take the cancer journey alone.

As a first step in meeting this urgent need, a temporary second Wellspring Calgary house will open this fall near Blackfoot and Glenmore Trails in leased space at Fountain Court (120, 703 – 64 Avenue SE). This warm and welcoming space will be a great benefit for members, and make access for south residents easier.

At the same time, a local entrepreneur’s transformational gift has enabled Wellspring Calgary to buy and begin developing land — the first step in a long-term plan to establish a permanent second house in Seton. Financial contributions from people like you will be instrumental in creating this important haven of support, and more information about plans and how you can transform them into reality will be shared in the future.

The sign has been raised on the new site near the South Health Campus and planning is well underway. Many development steps will be taken over the next few years to open Wellspring Calgary’s Randy O’Dell House, and you will be invited to be part of this exciting initiative!

Follow the progress and check for updates at wellspringcalgary.ca.

Donate now at www.wellspringcalgary.ca. 3

Why I ran for Team Ruthby Laura Larsen

I come from a large extended family and a number of my relatives have been touched by cancer, as have many of the people in our rural community. My Aunt Ruth was diagnosed with cancer and survived well over a year. In our eyes, she was a survivor.

My mom, Selma Thurber, wanted to do something to raise money and awareness for cancer support in Ruth’s memory. We came upon Light It Up Calgary, and when we learned Wellspring Calgary supported cancer survivors, that was a perfect fit. Although Ruth never received support through Wellspring Calgary, as a large family we know how important support is when dealing with cancer. We also know that not everyone has the family, friends or means to get support.

My mom and I formed Team Ruth and invited people to join. We spoke with people about the run, Wellspring Calgary and Ruth, and had t-shirts made. Mom took plates of cookies to different small businesses where farmers gather to have coffee. When they asked about the cookies, she told them about Light It Up Calgary and Wellspring Calgary. She was amazed at how many people already knew about Wellspring!

It wasn’t a hard sell and not only did those small businesses donate, all those farmers dug deep in their pockets. And in the end, mom won the top fundraiser award!

On the big night, we wore our Team Ruth t-shirts with Ruth’s favourite saying — “Do unto others” — on the back. I have participated in many runs, but this was different. Everyone knew why we were

there: to support a great organization and all those cancer survivors. The whole evening was amazing and fun. Not only did we get to remember and celebrate Ruth, we got to see and be with others doing the same thing for their loved ones.

Our fun started well before the event, built throughout the evening and even continues today. It doesn’t matter how you walk or run, if you are fast or slow, or finish first or last. It is the fact you are doing it with others that makes it easier.

I believe taking the journey with others is also true for cancer survivors, and that is what Wellspring Calgary does for cancer survivors and their families: it’s with them every step of the way.

Our MissionWellspring Calgary is a warm and welcoming community that provides a comprehensive range of support, resources and programs so anyone living with cancer and the people who care about them can improve the quality of their lives.

Follow us @WellspringYYC /WellspringCalgary

Celebrate Life! is published twice each year by Wellspring Calgary and distributed free of charge. Editor: Suzan Valenta, suzanv@wellspringcalgary.ca, 403.521.5292, 1404 Home Road NW, Calgary, AB T3B 1G7

Laura Larsen and her mom, Selma Thurber (back row, second from left and second from right, respectively), share the joy of Light It Up Calgary with members of Team Ruth.

3,600+ peoplehave access to Wellspring

Calgary resources every year.

Thanks to you, they do so at no charge.

•

For $1/day you give a member the

opportunity to learn through Core Educational programs

each month

•Your donation of

$20/month improves the quality of one

person’s life every month through access to Caregiving

and Self-Care

•Your gift of

$25/month enables someone to share

their story through Expressive Arts for one month

•

Give $35/month and you enable someone

to grow stronger physically and emotionally each

month through Movement and Meditation

•A gift of

$150 offers access to all programs,

resources and support for one person for one month

From all our members to all our generous and caring donors: THANK YOU!4 celebrate life!