Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre wrapped up its sixth annual Haliburton Highlands Challenge with a celebration at Haliburton Highlands Brewing Sept. 6.
Executive director Barb Smith-Morrison said they had raised more than $100,000 over the summer, which she called a “wonderful accomplishment.”
She dubbed it a peer-to-peer fundraiser. “It’s actually people who have come to a program; people who have come to a retreat, board members, many volunteers who have gone out and chosen a way to get moving in their community and then invited others to donate to support the work we do.”
Smith-Morrison said they had more than 200 people on their waitlist for a cancer support retreat.
She added they were one-of-a kind in Canada; “people are really getting to know the work that we do.” She noted they offer the retreats at no cost to participants “because when you are in the midst of a cancer experience, we know that we need to make sure the kind of support we offer is really accessible to you.”
The executive director added when people arrive, they are well cared for, build community with other people living with cancer, offered evidence-base practices that help with stress, PTSD, anxiety, body pain, difficulty sleeping … “wellness practices that you can take into your life.” She said they also invite the caregiver, or key support person, to lend support to them.
Smith-Morrison said one of the special things about this summer has been the way the local community “has come shoulder to shoulder” with us. She noted a number of people living locally with cancer had reached out to them. There were two corporate challenge teams, Hudson Henderson Insurance and Willow Organics. There were Brooksong days; at Glecoff’s Family Store, Hook, Line and Sinker, Sweat Social, the Bonnie View Inn, and an upcoming one at Heat-Line. She said it’s gifted Brooksong community awareness and support.
The total was $102,820, with people still able to donate until the end of the month. Smith-Morrison said that would move “a number of people” off their waitlist; enfold more locals living with cancer in a ‘warm hug from the Highlands’ quilt; and continue to build support and community.
“Our hope is that we continue to grow and fill such an important gap in cancer care.”
