Rotary International District 5370 Curling Bonspiel:  Brian Thompson has arranged for the bonspiel to be held at the Edmonton Thistle Curling Club during February 23 to 25, 2018.  Please be available to help put the event on.

 

Rotary International District 5370 Training Program:  our club had a very good representation of members.

 

Condolences:  former member Rudy Mangold has passed away; no funeral is planned.

 

Rotary Club of Edmonton West survey:  board will review at the next board meeting; one thing that will be adjusted is delivery of more Rotary International news.

 

Finemaster:  Fred Kraft announced that, as you travel back to Canada from the rest of the world, you realize how blessed we are to live in Canada.  He then proceeded to fine members who could not answer questions about Canada.

 

50/50 :  Jim Spalding and Al Holmes could not match cards so $179 carried over.

 

Guest Speakers:  Ingrid Neitsch introduced the speakers from Wellspring Health Centre by advising that our club has donated $1,000 this year and $1,500 a year ago.  Michelle Zislinski is executive director and Dr. Marilyn Hundleby, a clinical psychologist who developed the arts and wellness program at the Cross Cancer Clinic, is program director.  Marilyn showed video clips of what a family or care giver may experience when a family member is diagnosed with cancer.  Cancer is a lonely disease even when the patient has lots of friends.  It is like being on an isolated island.  Fear is the problem more than the disease.  One of the clips showed a woman getting into quilting on the assumption that she would not like it but, finding it a whole lot of fun while giving distraction with concrete usable results, she continues.  The quilts she makes will make memorable gifts for her children. There are 40 such programs at Wellspring so people find a way to deal with their situation through diversion.  This reduces the fear level and provides social connections. 

 

For construction of the facility, 85% of the building costs were donated which created a facility worth $6 million.  There is a sense of kindness and being cared for and that future needs will be addressed.  2 out of 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer which provides an over whelming fear and doubt.  At Wellspring the focus is the patient not the disease.  The support says "I am not alone" and the programs improve body-mind-spirit.  On balance the patients recover and go back to work.  The programs are free of charge and are provided in a group format as patients do better when with others.  Donation funding has provided training to over 70 volunteers.  Volunteers have to recognize that patients don't live, they exist.  To make things better the volunteers have to adapt exercise or programs to the patient.  After a session the patient has a feeling of accomplishing something and value is added to life.  Volunteers feel good by helping.

 

Michelle is a cancer survivor.  As executive director she directs the life support for the patient; medical does the disease control.  Programs include choirs and drumming sessions.  Lecture series are available including Well Talks.  This facility is the ninth Wellspring across Canada.

 

Marilyn and Michelle were thanked by Joe Lizotte.