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Guest Speaker: Sol Rolinger - Edmonton Wellspring Centre
Mr. Rolinger wanted to let everyone know how honoured he was speaking to our group, because it was Rotary that raised over $110 million for the River Valley Alliance which is another cause that Sol believes in and gives a lot of time.
Families and individuals in Edmonton and across northern Alberta will have the support they need to face the life-changing effects of cancer once the Wellspring Centre is constructed. It will provide a lifeline people need to help them overcome the emotional, physical, spiritual and practical challenges of cancer and find a new sense of well-being following medical treatment. This is not looked after by AHS as once you are seen a cured, or are only connected to the patient, you are off the books.
Sol gave some frightening statistics regarding the odds of getting cancer in Alberta and the total cost of Cancer to the Canadian economy ($22.5 billion) which underpinned the reason why this centre is required in Edmonton.
Wellspring was started by cancer survivor Anne Armstrong Gibson in 1992 in Toronto with the vision of "Arts in Medicine" which would help people reintegrate and have a reason to talk to people. The first places where this happened were in donated houses and buildings, but just think what could be accomplished with a purpose built building.
Sol presented us with the history of the building process where 85% of the labour to design and build the centre was donated.
Wellspring’s programs will improve quality of life while also reducing costs to the medical system. Research shows that patients who do not receive supportive care are five times more likely to rely on other community health services and twice as likely to visit hospital emergency rooms, increasing demand on already strained resources.
Wellspring Edmonton will be a warm, welcoming, home-like environment where people are supported to live well during and beyond cancer. Their doors will be open to anyone diagnosed with any type of cancer, at any stage, along with their families, friends and caregivers. Wellspring Edmonton programs will be available free of charge, delivered by professionals and trained volunteers – most of whom have experienced cancer and want to help others on their journey. It will be a place where people can connect with others who know what they are going through – because they have been there themselves.
Sol was thanked by Ben Doz.
Darrel reminded everyone that there will not be a meeting next Monday as the regular meeting will be held on Wednesday evening in conjunction with the Eyes fo Hue Hue dinner.
The meeting was adjourned.
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