From left: Dr. Michael Levesque, Chief of Oncology at Niagara Health and Medical Director of the Walker Family Cancer Centre, joins Ann Mantini-Celima, Executive Director of Wellspring Niagara in cutting the ribbon on the launch of the Niagara Health-Wellspring Niagara Partnership in Cancer Care. They are joined by Wellspring Niagara volunteers who will make supportive connections at the centre with patients and families impacted by cancer.
Niagara patients undergoing treatment for cancer, their families and caregivers now have expanded access to vital support through a new partnership between Niagara Health and Wellspring Niagara.
The Niagara Health-Wellspring Niagara Partnership in Cancer Care, which launched officially on Wednesday, aims to enhance patient well-being by integrating hospital-based treatment with support services in the community. Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, Wellspring Niagara volunteers will be available in waiting areas at the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC) to share in conversation with those impacted by cancer and connect them to helpful resources outside the hospital.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Niagara Health to offer real-time support during what can be overwhelming moments for people living with cancer and their loved ones,” says Ann Mantini-Celima, Wellspring Niagara Executive Director. “This partnership ensures that when patients leave the hospital, they already have the foundation of a strong community support network in place, eliminating the burden of navigating resources alone.”
Through the Niagara Health-Wellspring Niagara Partnership in Cancer Care, patients and their families will benefit from:
- Emotional support to reduce isolation and foster resilience.
- Community-based services to help ease daily challenges.
- Peer support to create connections and a sense of belonging.
Medical outcomes improve significantly when patients have access to additional support to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of their diagnosis, says Dr. Michael Levesque, Chief of Oncology at Niagara Health and Medical Director of the WFCC.
“A truly patient-centred approach means meeting people where they are,” Dr. Levesque says. “By working together, we are ensuring that patients don’t just receive the best medical care, but also the critical everyday support and assistance they need to navigate their cancer journey with confidence.”
As Niagara’s regional cancer centre, the WFCC is committed to providing equitable, patient-centred care. Partnerships like this one strengthen that mission, explains Tracy Fazzari, Niagara Health’s Director of Patient Care, Oncology and Palliative Care.
“Niagara Health and Wellspring Niagara are working together to transform cancer care in Niagara, ensuring that every person who comes to the Walker Family Cancer Centre receives the best care, every time” Fazzari says. “By integrating hospital services with community-based support, we are closing gaps and making it easier for patients to access that high-quality care when and where they need it.”
Photo above: Niagara Health and Wellspring Niagara staff and volunteers at the launch of the Niagara Health-Wellspring Niagara Partnership in Cancer Care.
