Inspired by Mom by Gordana Brkljaca

Preet Mangat was in high school when her mother Sarvjeet was diagnosed with breast cancer.

 

“It felt like the whole world came crashing down upon us – we felt helpless,” she says. “In our South Asian community, there is a lot of fear, lack of knowledge and embarrassment surrounding breast cancer.”

 

That fear and lack of knowledge kept her mother from seeing a doctor for months after she first discovered a lump. When she finally decided to undergo treatment, Sarvjeet was overwhelmed by stories of others’ struggles with cancer.

 

“I would come home from school and find my mother crying,” says Preet. “The stories upset her. She didn’t know that everyone is affected differently. I was frustrated that our family and friends lacked knowledge about breast cancer.”

 

Preet’s family’s experience inspired her to raise awareness. She organized a walk-a-thon in 2009 and spent days handing out flyers in her community.

 

She also founded the I Rock Pink Cancer Relief organization and hosted her first fundraiser dinner and dance gala in 2010 – at age 18.

 

Wellspring Chinguacousy was chosen as the beneficiary this year and received $16,000 from the I Rock Pink gala held in Brampton on May 11, 2012.   More than 700 people attended, including cancer survivors and their families, MPs, and sponsors.

 

RBC was the main sponsor of the event and also sold 3,000 butterfly pins in East and West Brampton branches to support the gala and Wellspring.

 

“Wellspring has helped my mom a lot,” says Preet. “It helped her understand she wasn’t alone and going there brings out a positive energy. She has made some good friends there.”

 

She says, “People affected by cancer need to know about Wellspring and other services in the community which can help them. I’m passionate about this because I don’t want people to lose a loved one due to a lack of knowledge.

 

“For me, cancer isn’t as scary anymore,” says Preet. “I think it’s something you can challenge with a positive attitude. I noticed that this helped my mom.”

 

When asked what she thinks of her daughter’s initiative, Sarvjeet Mangat says, “I’m very proud of the work my daughter and the I Rock Pink team have done. Their efforts to raise awareness and to help organizations like Wellspring that provide support for cancer patients and their families give me hope that people in our community will find the support and information they need.”

A Cut for Cancer

In the back of a van, on the way to a hockey practice, Ben Solski, Ethan Hudson, Justin Percival and Conor Chisholm hatched a plan to do something nice in support of Justin and Conor’s Moms, Sherri and Kerri. Both of these wonderful ladies are living with and being treated for breast cancer.

 

The boys decided they would shave their heads and before long, several more friends wanted to get involved.   It was quickly decided they should raise money for their efforts. Wellspring Chingacousy was chosen as the ideal place, as both Sherri and Kerri benefit greatly from their cancer support programs.

 

On Mother’s Day weekend, a bake sale and BBQ were held and with the skilled shears of Rob Rutledge and Jordan Anastasi of Al’s Barber Shop, heads were shaved and ponytails were cut.

 

Sobeys generously donated all of the hamburgers, hot dogs and buns for this wonderful event and Metro provided a gift card for other supplies needed.

Congratulations to Michelle Solski and Tracey Hudson who hosted the event and each and every one of the kids who participated for their enthusiasm and hard work.   Thanks to you, and the incredible generosity of many families and friends, Wellspring Chingacousy was the recipient of a cheque for an amazing $6,090!!!

Sandra Bevil, the Inspiration for "Sailors for a Cure"

Imagine one month after your wedding, at age 36, your doctor gives you a diagnosis of Stage IV breast cancer. That’s what happened to Sandra Bevil in 2003. Life has not followed the path of the couple’s dreams. Instead, it’s been a nightmare of one treatment attempt after another to save Sandra’s life. Wellspring Chinguacousy has been Sandra’s lifeline; "a warm and inviting atmosphere, where you feel safe and secure. It makes you feel that you are not alone.”

 

”Over the years, I’ve gone through all the treatments available to me. Since my cancer is so aggressive, I’ve never been able to stay on a treatment for more than nine or ten months; it’s amazing that I am still here” she laments.

 

Wellspring Chinguacousy’s Advanced Cancer Support Group, which meets twice monthly, averages six members. “I am so happy that Wellspring recognized that people who are Stage IV also need support. All you hear about is the pretty pink ribbons...” Prior to this group’s meeting, she went to other support groups at the centre, but “People who are Stage IV don’t fit in with a group where people are going to be fine.”

 

In addition, Sandra counts on the centre’s Relaxation and Visualization Program to “help me stay sane.” She adds, “After being told that your cancer has spread, and as death gets closer, fears build. Visualization and Relaxation helps me to realize that our fears are all projections about our future. Any fear of the future is fear of the unknown. But, if you live in the present, you are okay. When you let your mind go, that’s what drives you nuts. These classes help pull you back to the present so you can function.” She points out further that, “what you learn there is for anybody. We all live with anxieties about the future.”

Sandra’s brother-in-law, Bruce Bevil, a member of the Royal Canadian Navy, says that Sandra has “the greatest courage I have ever witnessed.” He feels so strongly about this that he has launched “Sailors for a Cure” a virtual fundraiser to raise monies for both Wellspring and the Canadian Cancer Society. From February 4 (World Cancer Day) through June 5 (World Cancer Survivor Day), he is inviting not only fellow sailors but anybody to contribute to his “Loose Change Challenge” at www.canadahelps.org/gpwla/15815 Check out Bruce Bevil’s Facebook page “Sailors for a Cure”.

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New Partner – New Directions Aromatics

The Thomas family who own and operate New Directions Aromatics (NDA) recently formed a partnership with Wellspring Chinguacousy, because it is a cause close to their hearts. In December 2009, Abraham Thomas the founder of NDA in Sydney, Australia, and brother of Alex Thomas, the Canadian CEO, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In honor of Abraham, NDA will be donating two percent of sales from their new retail line called POYA (meaning “pure”) that features, skin, bath and hair care products to Wellspring Chinguacousy.

Founded in 1987 in Sydney, Australia to support worldwide distribution of the finest Essential Oils, NDA is now a leading supplier of 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils around the world. The Canadian office is located in Brampton, close to Wellspring Chinguacousy.

For product and order information visit: www.newdirectionsaromatics.com