Kamloops Cancer Care Centre

Cancer Supportive Care Centre - Update Jun 2020 by Ann McCarthy
As you can imagine, everything and everyone has been focussed recently on the Covid outbreak, and it has affected some of the work we have been doing. But here's a quick overview:

FUNDRAISING:

The Give Cancer the Finger group has taken on the task of some of the fundraising for our centre. They spent most of last autumn doing various events and fundraisers around town, and continue to raise funds through those events, and from private donors.
Vista Retreats: Jen Edgecombe and her associates have developed a social enterprise, whereby all the profits from her Mountain Retreats are funnelled back into the Cancer Centre.
International Women's Day event: Some of you participated in this yoga and meditation retreat that was designed to test some of the services that will be delivered at the Cancer Centre. Profits from the day were donated to the Breast Cancer Support Group, facilitated by Grace, Biruta, and Cheryl.

RESEARCH:

We have two TRU teams currently doing research for the Cancer Centre. Their efforts have been delayed recently because of Covid 19, requiring them to redesign all the research so that it can be done online. Academic research usually has a long timeline, so I have no doubt that the two teams will provide results as soon as they can.
In partnership with BC Cancer Agency and UBC, Jen Edgecombe is working on a research project to help with identifying barriers to accessing supportive care.

DEVELOPMENT OF A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND RECRUITMENT OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I am currently working with a group of former presidents of the Chamber of Commerce in the development of an organization which will run the Cancer Supportive Care Centre. They have great business expertise and experience, especially in the area of affecting public policy. We're hoping to have this process completed by the send of summer 2020.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND AWARENESS

On Feb 22 of this year, some of you participated in a Community Forum where cancer survivors were able to share information about their cancer experiences. We need this information in order to make a case to government that we should have a Cancer Supportive Care Centre. Three more forums are being planned (probably by zoom, or small numbers in a social distanced way) for Caregivers, Medical Practitioners, and Business Owners. More info to follow.
Questionnaires for cancer survivors: As we are trying to collect as much information as possible to make our case for the Cancer Centre, I am asking you if you would be willing to complete the questionnaire I have attached to this email. It is a Word document and can be filled online, then returned to me at this email address. Some of the questions are yes/no answers. Some require a longer reply. We are asking for your honest responses about your cancer experience and the transition back to normal life after treatment. Please tell us as much as you are able.

Building this Cancer Supportive Care Centre is a long, complex process, and I will keep you up to date on developments over time!

In gratitude, grace, and joy!
Ann