The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation is working to fill the gaps in services available to cancer patients and their network of family and caregivers.

The diagnosis of cancer often leads to a crisis of the body, mind and spirit. While resources are available to diagnose and treat the disease at the medical level, support available through the health care system in Ottawa and the region is limited and primarily focused on the acute phases of illness.

In 2008, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation conducted a needs assessment survey: 562 cancer survivors and 34 cancer care professionals responded.

80% of survey respondents indicated they encountered one or more of the following difficulties during their cancer experience:

• Understanding the information and knowing what to expect
• Finding people to talk to/support programs
• Coping with worry and stress
• Coping with side effects
• Finding post-treatment care

Upon review of the findings, and discussions with key stakeholders the Cancer Foundation began plans to develop a centre for cancer survivorship in our community. The facility would house programs not offered at local hospitals or by area support groups and would address the unique concerns of cancer patients in our region.

In September 2009 the Cancer Foundation unveiled plans to build a Wellspring Ottawa facility on the grounds of the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park.

Wellspring Ottawa will offer survivorship resources and services to help people, and provide non-medical programming to meet these needs.Wellspring programming will complement the work of other members of the health care team and ensure the healing above and beyond the tumour.The programs will cover a wide range of topics including:

• Assistance navigating your cancer journey
• Coping mechanisms
• Individual and group counselling
• Post treatment
• Financial concerns
• Nutrition, health and fitness
• Prevention information