HopeSpring's mandate is to provide immediate access to information and emotional support to people living with cancer and to their families in the Waterloo Region. HopeSpring is a warm and caring non-residential support centre where people come to find hope, knowledge, encouragement or perhaps the reassurance of someone who's been there, after diagnosis and during treatment. HopeSpring is open to all; no referral is necessary and there is no cost.

Because everyone living with cancer has individual needs, HopeSpring's supportive programmes are based on patient needs and are able to be flexible to respond to changing needs as they evolve. Our core programme, Helping Yourself, tells us: "As a society, we are beginning at last to understand that our mental state affects our health. When faced with the crisis of life threatening cancer, we can meet the challenge to our well-being by learning how to help ourselves from the inside."

HopeSpring provides:

• Support programs and resources for cancer patients and their families
• Opportunities for the development of self-help skills
• Inspiration and hope by bringing together newly diagnosed people with those who have been actively involved in their own healing.
• Access to a wide variety of therapeutic information and education.
• Partnerships with health-care professionals and caregivers by providing supportive care with compassion and sensitivity.

HopeSpring's approach to healing is unique. We recognize the need to care for the whole person - body, mind and spirit. Emotional, psychosocial and educational support are provided by a wide range of trained and experienced volunteers. We work closely with other health care agencies to ensure that our programs are totally complementary to conventional medical treatments.

We are often asked about HopeSpring's relationship with other cancer support services. Although we foster the mutual goal of raising awareness, advancing public access to services available in our community and assisting one another through a complementary working relationship, HopeSpring is completely autonomous. We receive funding solely by gifts from those who recognize the need for such an innovative facility in our community.

Our financial statements are audited by Fritsch Kuppers & Company, Chartered Accountants.
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