2021 Gratitude ReportSteady in turbulent times
Looking at the work of Wellspring Calgary last year, we celebrate having moved beyond pandemic survival mode to truly thriving as we delivered on our mission.
Our Mission
Our biggest learning from 2021 was embracing our “online house.” At Wellspring we place great value in creating warm, welcoming spaces where people gather, share and learn together. Without the ability to be in person, our only option was to go virtual.
Turns out, online programming was a tremendous success. Not only did we continue to serve those living with cancer but attracted many more to join the Wellspring family. Suddenly, program opportunities existed beyond geographical borders, with no need to travel, pack up the kids, or do any of the many other actions that can sometimes be too great a drain on any given day to a person living with cancer. You can be assured; online programming is here to stay while we also focus on opening our centres to in-person programming.
Fortifying financial growth
We continued to fund our work with the support of our amazing donors who stayed the course with us:
- The 2021 Light it Up year-end matching campaign raised $556,615, making it our most successful matching campaign ever.
- Our Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge was a fully virtual event, resulting in more online engagement than we’ve ever seen before, to raise awareness of Wellspring as well as essential, sustaining funding.
Strength in strategy
In 2021, Natalie Noble joined the team as our CEO. Under her leadership, we’ve been looking ahead to what’s next. That was most visible as we launched our five-year strategic plan, created by the team and the board, to ensure a bright future for Wellspring. The plan reaffirms our vision that no one has to face cancer alone and guides our actions as we evolve. Learn more about our strategic plan.
One of our first priorities of 2021 as we entered year one of our five-year plan, was to begin to address our diversity and inclusion (D&I) imperative with four major initiatives:
- Becoming a Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion employer partner
- Offering immersive D&I training for staff and board members
- Conducting a baseline internal Diversity Census and Inclusion survey facilitated by CCDI
- Initiating our new D&I Advisory Roundtable to amplify voices of Indigenous, racialized, S2LGBTQ+, newcomers and rural residents with lived cancer experience to inform Wellspring Calgary’s operations.
While our D&I work is initially an important part of our five-year strategic plan, it won’t end there. D&I will now be included in our ongoing annual planning and actions.
Continued impact
As we carefully reopen our physical centres, we are preparing for an increase in demand for our services, as our health system catches up to cancer screenings and diagnoses that have gone unchecked for the past two years. This, combined with our growth in people served through online programming, has us poised for meeting the needs of more people living with cancer than ever before.
From the day we opened our doors in 2007, and every day since, those we serve – people living with cancer, their caregivers and their families – have remained our number one priority. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of you, our celebrated supporters, who continue to wholeheartedly share in this singular mission.
Bill Gilliland, Chair Natalie Noble, CEO
Our Vision
Mike Wark
“While we were waiting for the transplant, we had a lot of free time – there was not much we could do except wait. We really needed a distraction. It was at that point that someone, a nurse I think, told us about Wellspring Calgary ... I remember feeling so relieved … it would be a place that could provide a distraction from the rigors of treatment in the hospital.”
Kristel Boon
“From the get-go I have called Wellspring my home away from home. People are warm and welcoming but you are not coddled, you are just accepted. Everybody knows why you are there – you don’t have to explain yourself, it’s unspoken. It’s wonderful that you get so comfortable at Wellspring, you actually forget you are going there because you have cancer."
Gord Rose
“Just seeing other people at Wellspring and hearing their stories has been comforting and encouraging. You see how far people come and it gives you optimism. That’s the effect Wellspring has. You feel this sense of community and you know these people have your back.”
Kerrie Gagne
"At Wellspring, I feel connected to a community of people who really care; who feel like family. The staff, volunteers and other members listen, engage, share, and bring me back up when I am an emotional wreck … mentally and physically drained and discouraged. The resources and programs offered at Wellspring have given me a sense of grounding, healing, and hope."
Tina Slade
“It really helps to hear people’s experiences. I found lots of positivity (at Wellspring) and it felt like a nice supportive and caring community ... I just needed to talk to someone who had been in my shoes and was on the other side of the journey now.”
0
times in 2021
0
volunteer hours
0
southern Alberta communities
People served by program pillar
People served by participant type
People served by program pillar
People served by participant type
People served by age range
feel they have gained skills and knowledge to maintain or improve their wellbeing
would participate in online programs in the future
felt less isolated after participating at Wellspring Calgary
would recommend Wellspring Calgary to a friend
*Based on 4,300 responses.
2021 Finance
2021 Revenue | |
|---|---|
Donations | $2,025,676 |
Event revenue & donations | $357,129 |
Government assistance (COVID-19 grants) | $384,531 |
Investment income | $678,434 |
Donated securities | $19,350 |
Recovery of expenses | $10,239 |
Amortization of deferred contributions | $109,256 |
Total revenue | $3,584,615 |
2021 Expenses | |
|---|---|
Programs | $2,054,556 |
Fundraising | $300,775 |
Administration | $197,973 |
Events | $24,772 |
Amortization | $246,380 |
Total expenses | $2,824,456 |
2021 Matching Campaign
Last year, we received 772 donations for our annual campaign making it our most successful year-end fundraising campaign to date. Thank you for giving so generously in support of Albertans facing cancer!
$175,000
$ 0
$381,615
$ 0
$ 0
When the pandemic shifted programs to an online community, Becky Trussell missed the joy of being together in centres, but her love of Wellspring never waned. She continued to participate online and donating to an organization she calls ‘magic’ and ‘life changing.’
“Why would I not give to a place that is so full of joy, peace and healing? It’s a community that has given me and so many others so much comfort and meaning. Wellspring is life changing — it gave me my life back. You can’t put a price on that – it’s gold.”
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle
The Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle is a new online monthly gathering for Indigenous adults living with cancer and caregivers. The goal is to create a safe space to welcome all Nations across the province to connect, share experiences, and build a caring and supportive community. With a vision to ensure no one has to face cancer alone, this circle is co-led by an Indigenous Elder and a Wellspring program leader. Elders offer connection to culture, clarity, wisdom and insights through storytelling. Many have expressed gratitude for the presence of an Elder to create sacred space to have these important conversations.
The program was co-created by three Indigenous Elders: Casey Eaglespeaker, Gilman Cardinal and Ernie Poundmaker. Wellspring Calgary thanks the following for making our Sharing Circle possible:
- Arrow Bigsmoke, Indigenous Patient Navigator, Danielle Petricone-Westwood, Psychosocial Oncology Fellow, Cancer Care Alberta
- with the support of Laura Labelle, Supportive Care Lead, South, Cancer Care Alberta and
- Deb Allat, Manager, Education and Patient Experience, Cancer Care Alberta
- Ariel Learoyd, Program Leader, Nancy Bilodeau, Centre Manager and Sheena Clifford, Chief Operating Officer at Wellspring Calgary
Wellspring Calgary and our colleagues at Cancer Care Alberta work together on educational opportunities to increase the awareness of Wellspring Calgary, improve our internal cultural competency, and promote this unique provincial program only offered at Wellspring Calgary.
“The Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle has been absolutely unbelievable … a life-changer for me. As you share your stories or experiences you feel heard and understood. You feel like these people really care about you. To hear other people share their challenges or issues is comforting. It reaffirms that you are not in this scary situation by yourself.” – Donna Ouellette
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Round Table
Volunteers and Wellspring Calgary leadership launched the D&I Advisory Round Table in November 2021 to amplify voices of Indigenous, racialized, S2LGBTQ2+, newcomers and rural residents with lived cancer experience to advise on Wellspring Calgary D&I initiatives.
The Round Table creates a safe space to have the necessary conversations for growth and learning and realize a Wellspring Calgary where everyone living with cancer can see themselves belonging.
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
The language we use is vitally important. To support our self-awareness, Wellspring Calgary Board and staff were trained on D&I immersion by CCDI on definitions, the business case, conscious and unconscious bias, and strategies for continual improvement.
Wellspring Calgary became an Employer Partner (one of over 600) with CCDI in April 2021. CCDI helped us launch a baseline internal Diversity Census and Inclusion Survey in November 2021. We had an excellent completion rate of 75% from our internal team of Board members, staff, program leaders and volunteers. Wellspring Calgary scored very high or high on all inclusion indicators; significantly higher compared to the CCDI baseline.
We have a significant amount of work to do to ensure no one faces cancer alone, including improving our diversification of people in leadership and board positions and in the organization overall. The final product of this initiative includes a report with recommendations to inform our future D&I imperative roadmap.
Reaching southern Albertans outside of Calgary
2021 was the second year of our Southern Alberta Strategy supported by Alberta Cancer Foundation. Our goal is to co-create sustainable cancer support communities throughout the region. Online programming and telephone-based support have allowed us to support more people from across southern Alberta than ever before.
From March 2020 through December 2021, the Southern Alberta Strategy helped Wellspring Calgary to serve 368 people living with cancer outside of Calgary. This is primarily driven by people living more than 100km from Calgary, which has seen more than 180% growth in people served. Prior to the launch of the Southern Alberta Strategy, many people living in communities more than 100km away didn’t know about Wellspring. Increased awareness combined with the launch of online programs and telephone support, means that people living with cancer in regional and rural communities now not only know about Wellspring but can benefit from the programs and services we provide. By the end of 2021, Wellspring Calgary has served 58 communities throughout southern Alberta since implementation began in March 2020.
Due to serving a high risk population and COVID-19 regulations, we were unable to host in-person programming during 2021, including in-person pilot programs and community engagement. The aim is to operate in a new model of both online and in-person programs, including in-person southern Alberta pilot initiatives and community outreach.
“I would say to anyone who has cancer, sign up for Wellspring support and whatever else you do, don’t miss it! There is nothing worse than thinking you are the only one in the world with this problem. Everyone battling cancer should know about Wellspring. When you meet others who understand and can relate, it recharges your hope.” – Trevor Hamon – Raymond, Alberta.
Wellspring features
Welcome to Wellspring: Cancer support at your door
Wellspring Calgary has spent nearly 15 years building an immense community of cancer support. Factor in the addition of Wellspring Edmonton four years ago, and Wellspring is province-wide and on your doorstep.
Rural Albertans: Reaching Out
In Alberta’s biggest cities, facing a cancer diagnosis can be an isolating experience. In the province’s smaller cities and towns, where care and support are more limited, that feeling is often even more acute. Two new initiatives from Wellspring are hoping to change that.
Cancer support services to be provided across southern Alberta
Plans to expand Wellspring’s reach first began in 2018, when an environmental scan unearthed a compelling demand for non-medical cancer support programs and services in southern Alberta communities.
Thank you!
Thank you for your continued support of Wellspring Calgary!
You have provided stability for those living with cancer in a very unstable time in our history.
You have ensured the resiliency of Wellspring Calgary this past year, and for years to come.
Because of YouIn 2022 Wellspring Calgary will:
Expand services to reach more Albertans living with cancer including their caregivers and children
Prepare for an increase in demand and distress as a result of delayed cancer diagnoses because of COVID-19
Provide comfort and connection by sustaining our virtual programs while also planning to reopen our centres
Reduce the demands on the healthcare system by assisting people to manage the emotional, physical and practical issues that cancer brings
[1] Source: Surveillance & Reporting: The 2021 Report on Canadian Statistics in Alberta. Edmonton: Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, 2021: https://public.tableau.com/profile/cancercontrol.ab
[2] Source: Alberta Health Services. Changing our future: Alberta’s cancer plan to 2030. (February 2013). Alberta Health Services: https://www.iccp-portal.org/system/files/plans/Cancer-Plan-Alberta-2013.pdf