HopeSpring in the News
Kitchener Today
HopeSpring also impacted by fire at The Inn of Waterloo
And is now asking the community if they can donate items such as masks, fabric and new blankets
By: KitchenerToday Staff
File photo by Mark Pare/KitchenerToday
HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre has also been impacted by Tuesday's fire at The Inn of Waterloo.
It had been using meeting space at the hotel and storing some items used in the programs it offers.
They were housed in a meeting room below where the fire happened.
HopeSpring is looking for some help from anyone who can possibly donate the following items:
CBC Kitchener
Displaced by Inn of Waterloo fire, HopeSpring looks for new home
Social Sharing
HopeSpring has been serving over 1 million people during the pandemic in Southern Ontario
Carmen Groleau · CBC News ·
Organizers with the HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre are in the midst of finding a new home after being uprooted by the same fire that displaced a men's shelter at the Inn of Waterloo.
Shawn Hlowatzki, president of HopeSpring's board of directors, told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo he only learned about the fire several hours after it happened Tuesday evening.
"I just showed up and grabbed what I could knowing that people who were having their surgeries that same week would still get their camisoles, that they still could get their wigs," he said.
The centre helps cancer patients with appropriate wardrobe, wigs and counselling as they prepare for and undergo treatment.
Smoke damage
Throughout the pandemic, HopeSpring has been serving a catchment area of over a million people across Waterloo region, Wellington county and even communities in Bruce and Grey counties, according to Hlowatski.
Staff normally hand deliver care packages and wigs, masks and camisoles for breast cancer patients.
Although nothing was destroyed in the fire, Hlowatzki said they are now dealing with dozens of items that may have been damaged by smoke.
"Knowing that our members, who are requesting items from us, are generally going through chemo and radiation, we have to be very, very careful that we are are not providing an item that has smoke damage or could cause any health issue," he explained.
He says they are working with professionals to asses the damage in hope of salvaging items.
Looking for new home
Hlowatzki said as the organization moves forward, they are looking for alternative space. The Inn of Waterloo was used for administration, some in-person services and storage.
"If a business, company or someone has space that could potentially be available in the future, HopeSpring is very open to all of those things, including building community partner relationships," he said.
He adds that the Inn of Waterloo has offered alternative space in their building, which is under consideration.
Hlowatzki said as the province begins to re-allow in-person services to clients, "We will be one of the last to do that because of the immune compromisation of our members."
"We have to be very, very safe and virtual is such a big part of what the future will look like, so HopeSpring is exploring where we will be."
The best way people can support HopeSpring right now is through financial donations, Hlowatzki says, as the organization does not receive financial funding from any level of government.
With files from Jackie Sharkey
Displaced by Inn of Waterloo fire, HopeSpring looks for new home
Organization adjusts during pandemic to offer wigs for those with hair loss illnesses
Organization adjusts during pandemic to offer wigs for those with hair loss illnesses
Jessica SmithCTV News Kitchener Videographer
KITCHENER -- An organization in Waterloo Region has adjusted during the pandemic so they can still provide wigs and counselling for those who have lost hair because of an illness.
Hope Spring Cancer Support says they are looking to help these people feel good from the inside out.
“It’s about giving them the confidence to be themselves again and not have to explain what they’re going through,” said Nohelia Million, volunteer and facilitator coordinator.
The organization has been a part of the community for 25 years and rely on donations to buy new or fix up old wigs.
Clients are given a mask with their free wig, along with a scarf, a knit cancer cap for sleeping, and a wig stand.
The team has shifted to a virtual platform from the hands-on process of wig-fitting ever since the pandemic began.
“There is a video on the Hope Spring website that shows people how to put it on, how to wear it, how to wash it,” said Irene Delisi, a volunteer and wig fitting specialist. “All of that information is online.”
Aastha Arora was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer when she was 20 weeks pregnant back in January.
She started losing hair after beginning chemotherapy and wanted to feel some sense of normalcy for a maternity photo shoot.
Arora connected with Hope Spring and had her wig delivered free to her door within days.
“I was so impressed by their service,” she said. “They sent me pictures and then home delivered it, and they even included all the necessary items so I don’t have to go out at all.”
Hope Spring says their mission is to continue to help people feel and look their best through whatever battle they’re fighting.
To read this article on CTV Kitchener, please visit Organization adjusts during pandemic to offer wigs for those with hair loss illnesses.
HopeSpring Announces: New Executive Director
Former Waterloo Region councillor Jane Mitchell hired as HopeSpring’s new executive director
Jane Mitchell has been appointed as the new executive director of HopeSpring. - Mathew McCarthy , Waterloo Region Record file photo
WATERLOO REGION — Veteran regional politician Jane Mitchell is HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre's new leader.
Mitchell took over the role of executive director on May 1.
"I'm very excited," Mitchell said. "This is a very dynamic organization."
A half-year after the municipal election, Mitchell thought it was an opportunity too good to resist.
Mitchell served as a Waterloo regional councillor for 18 years, her public service inspiring her to pioneer the Waterloo Region Women's Municipal Campaign School to boost female participation at local and regional levels of government.
"We're very excited Jane came out of retirement to do this," said Shawn Hlowatzki, president of board of directors. "Jane has an excellent reputation and a kind heart."
Hlowatzki said Mitchell is well suited to lead the organization into the next stage of its transformation, taking over from Lois Peterson, who was at the helm during a tumultuous time.
HopeSpring nearly shut down two years ago. In January 2017, the organization announced it would close at the end of March due to difficulty raising the funds needed to operate. The community rallied and soon raised enough to keep the doors open.
"HopeSpring isn't just an institution. It belongs to our community," Hlowatzki said.
And Mitchell, he said, has deep-rooted connections with the region that HopeSpring serves, along with being well-rounded.
Mitchell was a librarian at Renison University College, served as school board trustee for 10 years, and most recently was chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority.
She first learned about HopeSpring, which has offered free programs and services to people living with cancer and their families since 1995, on a tour as a councillor, and then two friends got support there as cancer patients.
Mitchell was impressed by the range of programs, including yoga, counselling and cooking lessons — "all kinds of things to help people through."
The plan is to go out into the community this fall to ask what people want from HopeSpring as it moves forward.
"That, I think, is going to be very exciting — connecting with the community."
Mitchell will report directly to the board of directors, which she says is fantastic and hands-on.
"We all believe in HopeSpring and what HopeSpring does."
jweidner@therecord.com
‘Fashion Santa’ coming to Waterloo
‘Fashion Santa’ coming to Waterloo
Model Paul Mason woke up one morning and realized he looked like Santa, and a character was born. (Source: HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre)
CTV Kitchener
Published Thursday, November 8, 2018 11:42AM EST
A man gone viral for being a fashionable-looking Santa is coming to Waterloo.
On Thursday, HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre announced a partnership between them and Paul Mason, famous for being Fashion Santa.
Paul Mason was a model in New York City for 15 years. His mother’s health began to decline, and she passed away from liver cancer living in Toronto.
“In his grief, he stopped shaving his face and woke up one day, looked in the mirror and saw a skinny Santa,” a press release explained.
In 2014, he created the character Fashion Santa, which went viral during the 2015 holiday season.
“I am approached to be a part of many charitable events—however, HopeSpring aligned very closely to my personal values and beliefs in regards to the cancer journey and cancer support,” Mason said in a press release.
Mason was scheduled to be in Wateloo on Friday and Saturday at the Inn of Waterloo.
People were encouraged to come take selfies with Fashion Santa for a minimum suggested donation of $20.
He was to be available from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Nov. 9 and from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Nov. 10.
The event is in partnership with Meadow Acres Garden Centre and the Inn of Waterloo.
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