Farmhouse transformed into wellness centre

The West Island Cancer Wellness Centre exists to empower people who are encountering cancer with compassionate support and comprehensive information for mind, body and spirit. Through wellness programs, people learn important new skills, find personal support, gain coping mechanisms, discover additional alternatives, and become better educated about their specific illness. This helps them gain more control of their lives, find strength, reduce feelings of isolation, and continue to foster hope, regardless of the stage of their disease. They become empowered, active participants in the management of their health and well-being.

When someone is diagnosed with cancer it not only affects that person but reaches out and grabs hold of ones entire network of loved ones. Be it a child, a parent, a friend or a husband/wife who is witness to the cancer of a loved one, their reality has also been affected. Knowing what to say or what to do to offer comfort and support is not very clear. The WICWC can offer guidance to help friends and family navigate this complicated and sometimes scary path and we also offer ways to take care of you.

The West Island Cancer Wellness Centre was able to open one full year ahead of schedule in May thanks to the generosity of many through donations, over 50 volunteers, and gifts-in-kind from companies such as: Tony Moriello Inc., general contractor, El Ran Furniture, Breville, Home Depot West Island, Novartis, Bristol Meyer Squibb, Please Hold Canada, Avmor, Alexram Internet Services, Cabana Seguin, the Jason Foundation, Adventure Technique Illimite, Carter Décor, Pittsburgh Paints, IDS-RICOH, Tola Carpets, Danesco and Monarch Furniture.

All the programs are 100 per cent free of charge. The WICWC is not governmentally funded, nor attached to a particular hospital; all the funds needed to run the centre are dependant on the generosity and philanthropy of foundations, corporations, and individuals alike. Without our financial supporters we could not exist and those confronting Cancer would not have the WICWC as a resource in the community. For more information or to make a donation please call 514-695-9355 or visit www.wicwc.org.

- Debbie Magwood is co-founder and head of WICWC’s board of directors