Her Campus University of Ottawa is extremely proud to be partnering with the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation for our Capital Catwalk fashion show. For a recap of the show, visit our Facebook page to see photos.
Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of visting the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation’s Maplesoft Centre with my fellow Her Campus University of Ottawa colleagues. The centre presented itself as a prime example of a sense of serenity that can exist within the hustle and bustle of urban existence, and our visit truly opened my eyes to the wonderful work that the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation does right here in the capital city.
When I first walked into the Maplesoft Centre, named after a generous technology and consulting company in Ottawa’s west end, I was overcome with a feeling of peacefulness. Quietly nestled in the Alta Vista neighbourhood, surrounded by industrial and residential buildings, the centre presented itself as an area of blissful escape. Friendly faces greeted our entire group upon arrival and we were soon welcomed into the depths of the immaculate building.
After enjoying a thoroughly delicious lunch in Audrey’s Kitchen – where courses on nutrition are offered to cancer patients and survivors, their support networks and the general public – our entire group was brought into the Great Room. Calming sunlight created an airy and spacious feeling and our tour guide and Cancer Foundation correspondent, Jennifer Graves, began to explain to us the true impact our donation would make.
For almost two decades, the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation has focused on cancer care and research. Dedicated to ensuring that the conversations around cancer remain active and progressive, the foundation adopted a mission of providing the best care and support for those affected by cancer. Each and every individual who works for the organization understands the true hardship and pain that comes from the disease, as well as emits a sense of hope and optimism that is inspiring to all that experience it.
With general foot traffic of roughly sixty to a hundred people per day, the Cancer Foundation offers a variety of programs and workshops that are designed to aid those affected by cancer. These wonderful programs are provided in order to improve the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones during periods of great stress and anxiety, and are available through the Cancer Foundation at little to no cost to the participant. Some of these programs include:
1. Cancer Coaching
Cancer Coaching is a health and social care service, developed by the Cancer Foundation, for people in our community who have been touched by cancer. The Cancer Coaching team is made up of regulated healthcare and wellness professionals with a background in oncology. Cancer Coaching focuses on the whole person. It will focus on you, who you are, and what matters most to you. Cancer Coaching provides individuals with education, support, and practical skills development to help them meet physical, emotional, informational, and spiritual needs. Cancer Coaching is available privately or in a group setting. The coaching helps individuals feel less alone, improve their quality of life and helps them regain a sense of control over their health and wellbeing. Cancer Coaching is available to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer at any time in their life (before, during, and after treatment or at end of life). Cancer Coaching is also available to any family member, loved one, caregiver, or friend of the person who has been diagnosed. The Cancer Foundation understands that a cancer diagnosis affects the whole family and support network. Thanks to the generosity of the community, each person registered for Cancer Coaching can access up to five hours of complimentary coaching.
2. Coaching Workshops
Coaching workshops are led by one of the Cancer Foundation’s Wellness Coaches. The sessions are designed to help manage feelings of stress and common treatment side effects and provide tips and tools that individuals can use to help manage changes related to their own cancer diagnosis or a cancer diagnosis of a loved one. The workshops help individuals in finding balance between mind, body, and spirit.
3. Healing Therapies
The Healing Therapies provide support around symptom management and help to support balance of individuals’ mind, body, and spirit.
4. Nutrition Workshops
Eating the right kinds of food before, during and after cancer treatment can help individuals feel better, stay stronger and help with the prevention of cancer recurrence. Cancer and cancer treatments impact the body in many ways and through the Foundation’s nutrition workshops individuals learn practical information and skills to create healthy meals to help them feel better at any stage in their cancer journey and beyond. Nutrition programming covers a wide range of topics to help improve overall health and wellness. The workshops are open to the general public.
These programs, amongst all of the others offered by the Cancer Foundation, are the reason I left the Maplesoft Centre that day with a true mission of supporting this valuable cause. I look forward to doing what I can to support the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundatiton at Capital Catwalk, as well as to the aid that I will be able to provide in the future.
For a complete list the programs and workshops offered by the Cancer Foundation, please visit www.ottawacancer.ca and click on the ‘How Can We Help You’ Button.