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In Search of Volunteers for our Peer Support Program

What is peer support?
People on their cancer journey often benefit from the practical help and advice they receive from others who have lived through similar situations. Support groups bring people together and provide a safe forum for exchanging perspectives, sharing concerns, and gaining confidence to face the future ahead.

Support groups are typically led by a trained health care professional. “Peer support” is a term we use to refer to advice and help received from fellow patients or people without medical training.

How to Join

Join as a peer support volunteer –

Application form: https://www.hopespring.ca/ getinvolved/volunteer

Searching for your help!
Are you or do you know someone who is part of the marginalized community going through a cancer journey? If so, we want to hear from you.

HopeSpring is seeking your help for an important research on cancer in the marginalized community. Our university students are looking for participants to interview. A marginalized community is defined as a group of people who experience alienation or disenfranchisement resulting from social exclusion and preventing them from participating fully in receiving adequate care during their cancer journey. This can include people with a disability, minorities, LGBTQ+2, Indigenous, and persons Living in Poverty.

To date, there has been limited research examining how HopeSpring is helping the marginalized community. We want to change that! As a part of our on-going workshop series, we are conducting research to examine how marginalized community navigate our programs to receive adequate care during their cancer journey.

We are passionate about making sure that the research findings help HopeSpring offers ways to help the marginalized community navigate our services and that we are offering programs that will assist them. As such, after the study is completed, a workshop will be provided to members and a report on the research results will be provided to HopeSpring executive board.

To participate, please contact

Nohelia Millon
Volunteer and Facilitator Coordinator

HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre
475 King St N, Tower Suite
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2J 2Z5
volunteer@hopespring.ca

Thanks in advance for your participation!

Are you feeling down?

Do you feel down since receiving your cancer diagnosis?

Many people feel sad or down after being diagnosed with cancer, during and after treatment. It is perfectly normal to experience depression during your cancer journey. Know that help is available to you. To find out what resources are available to you and your family, please view Depression Services Guide - Community and Online Services. This document was put together by Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program in association with Cancer Care Ontario.

In addition to these community resources, we offer Cancer Care Counselling.

When you should see a community dietitian

Cancer and cancer treatment can affect your appetite (when you do not have a feeling of hunger or interest in food). You may also have questions about what you should eat.

Talk to your health care team about any trouble you have eating (e.g. upset stomach, trouble swallowing) or if it becomes harder to eat.

A Registered Dietitian has training in food and nutrition. A Registered Dietitian will work with you to make a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.

Registered Dietitians have special training in many areas of health

Are you 15-39?

You are invited to participate in a research study that aims to better understand adolescent and young adult cancer survivors’ experiences transitioning back into physical activity after cancer treatment.

The study involves completing a brief questionnaire and a 45-60 minute individual interview (by telephone or virtual meeting room). Your participation in this study is voluntary.

Your participation in this study will assist the researchers in developing strategies to smooth the transition into physical activity post-treatment for adolescents and young adults in order to increase their physical activity participation and improve associated health outcomes.

Participants will be offered a $20 gift card for your involvement in the study.

This study has been reviewed and received ethics approval through the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board (Reference #39245).

COVID-19 Cancer Patient Support HUB - available to you

Did you know you have access to the COVID-19 Cancer Patient Support Hub? This hub contains resources and information for cancer patients during the time of COVID-19. Here's a list of information available:

Mental health and Wellness - connecting you to on-demand and scheduled gentle exercise programs like Laughter Yoga and Meditation, and mental health supports, such as the Healing Program.
FAQ and Resources - providing answers for questions commonly asked by cancer patients.
Practical Support - providing information as to what grocery stores offer delivery.

This hub of information is available to every person in Canada affected by cancer.

New To HopeSpring!!! Peer Support

Peer Support

Peer support program aims to support anyone who is affected by cancer. It will offer an important service in helping members feel connected to their communities and assist in reducing the effects of loneliness and social isolation.

Meet Moiz

Moiz has joined HopeSpring to initiate a peer support program. He is currently working to complete his master’s in Population Health. He has completed a bachelor’s degree majoring in health studies and is experienced in program development and supporting patients in accessing resources they need.

Peer support is provided:

Mondays through Fridays from 4:00 - 8: p.m.

To access Peer Support Monday - Friday please use this link: Monday - Friday (Zoom)

Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

To access Peer Support on Saturday please use this link: Saturday (Zoom)