1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cancer

from the hearth
News and views on caring for each other through cancer
May/June 2015
86 Colborne St. West, Oshawa L1G 1L7
Tel. 905 579-4833 ∙ Fax. 905 579-1204
www.hearthplace.org ∙ e-mail: hearthplace@hearthplace.org
Andrea Shaw, Executive Director
A good friend shared this poem by one of my favourite authors,
and as I read it something resonated deeply inside me. We have
often heard the expression “The War Against Cancer” or “she
gave it a good fight”. I have found that sacred moments of
healing usually follow my complete surrender of the need to
control outcomes. The universe brings me exactly what I need,
whether it is a phone call in the midst of my despair; a loving
mentor who guides me when I am lost; a self-awareness that
brings peace to my heart or a loving gesture that brings healing
to my body, mind and spirit. Winter is over, figuratively and
metaphorically, accept what is in this moment and live and love
yourself through it. May the promise of spring bring you new
growth, peace and resilience and may you embrace all the sacred
moments of your life.
Fighting the Instrument by Mark Nepo
Often the instruments of change
are not kind or just
and the hardest openness
of all might be
to embrace the change
while not wasting your heart
fighting the instrument.
The storm is not as important
as the path it opens.
The mistreatment in one life
never as crucial as the clearing
it makes in your heart.
Dedicated hearts like yours
Are not so easy to find.
It takes a special person to be
So generous and kind.
To care so much for your fellow man
Is a quality all too rare.
Yet you give of your time and talents,
For all in need to share.
So thank you for being a volunteer,
We're privileged to work with you.
We want you to know how appreciated
you are,
Not just today, but the whole year
through.
This is very difficult to accept.
The hammer or cruel one
is always short-lived
compared to the jewel
in the center of the stone.
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Hearth Place Programs
Do It With Ease
Phoenix Group
Lymphedema Support Group and
Secondary Arm Lymphedema Yoga
The Lymphedema Drop-in Support Group is
held on the third Thursday of each month
from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Due to great attendance, we continue to
offer “Yoga for Lymphedema” from 5:30
p.m. to 6:45 p.m. before the Lymphedema
Support Group starts. If you wish to
participate in a yoga class geared to
helping the symptoms of lymphedema,
contact Amy at Hearth Place for details and
to sign up.
A group for people completing
active treatment. Join us as we
explore the meaning of
survivorship and how we can
cope with its challenges.
Each week a new topic will be
discussed. These topics
include:
Creating/dealing with a new
self-image.
This 8 week exercise program is open to men and
women who have recently completed treatments. It
will help to gently build the strength and endurance
that various cancer treatments can deplete.
Designed by physiotherapists and lead by kinesiology
specialists, Do It With Ease uses basic fitness tools
such as resistance bands, stability balls and light hand
weights to gradually get you back into shape.

Relationships

Fear of recurrence
Start date: Thursday, May 7th.

Coping strategies
Duration: 8 consecutive Thursdays

Self-care
Time: 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
Class size is limited to 12 ~ registration is required
Amy@hearthplace.org 905-579-4833
For more information or to sign up, contact Amy
905-579-4833 or amy@hearthplace.org
Men’s Group
A drop-in support group for men living with cancer.
A light meal is served during meetings.
Tuesday, May 12th – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Skin Care During Active Treatment
Joanne Lee ~ Homeopathy practitioner; Oncology Aesthetician,
Medical Aesthetician, Energy therapy
Tuesday May 26th 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26th – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9th – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23rd – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Contact Amy at Hearth Place for more details.
Joanne will guide and support oncology patients in this seminar as
she teaches men and women how to take care of their skin, during
and post chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
To register, contact Amy
905-579-4833 or amy@hearthplace.org
METASTATIC CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. ~ 3:00 p.m.
Provides patients with metastatic cancer the opportunity to meet
with other metastatic cancer patients.
In a supportive and non-threatening setting, the sessions will focus
on discussion and sharing of feelings and concerns regarding unique
issues that can be triggered by this diagnosis.
For more information or to sign up, contact Sonja
905-579-4833 Sonja@hearthplace.org
Hearth Place Teen Scene
A social group for teens diagnosed with any stage of any type of
cancer.
On the second Tuesday of each month join our group of teens for
an evening of fun. Activities vary and are the choice of the group.
Contact Carolyn at Hearth Place for details and to
sign up!
carolyn@hearthplace.org
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What an exciting night, our guests were swept away to tropical paradise! They were immersed in the drums and dancing, the
exceptional cuisine and the company of friends. We were honoured to have CTV Toronto News Reporter Ashley Rowe as our emcee for
the evening. After dinner, the party was far from over as guests learned to hula dance from the only authentic Polynesian islander
entertainers in all of Ontario, they danced to the sounds of the Saturday Night Superstars, practiced hula hooping, learned the ukulele,
bid in the live auction and silent auction and tried their luck in the raffle for a gorgeous diamond and amethyst white-gold necklace and
earrings donated by Graziella Fine Jewellery.
The festivities have given us a night to remember and raised over $58,000 to support families living in and around Durham Region
coping with cancer. This night would not be possible without our many volunteers, donors, supporters and sponsors—thank you!
To view more of our photos, please visit our website at www.hearthplace.org/aloha.
T h a n k Yo u . . .
Diamond Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Hardiman Mount & Associates
Ontario Power Generation
Dr. S. Fenwick Dentistry Professional Corp.
Durham Optical, 11 Ontario, Downtown Oshawa, ON L1G
4Y6
Wiggers Custom Yachts
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Veridian Corporation
Jeffery Homes
Hann Family Charitable Foundation
We extend a warm and sincere thank you for the support, enthusiasm and commitment of the members of our Volunteer
Committee. Our committee worked hard to put together an entertaining and memorable evening for all.
Abby Basmaji
Sue Dickinson
Lila Conkie
Barb MacKinnon
Sandi Clark
Debbie Mulder
Kim DeNoble
Karen Robertson
Event Information
Linda Stone
For more event information, please contact Irena at 905-579-4833 or irena@hearthplace.org.
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Event Information
Hearth Place is self-funded through donations and fundraising events.
Discover the Magic of Hearth Place’s Annual
Artists in the Garden Tour
Looking for a way to promote your business?
Contact us for details on sponsorship opportunities.
Join us rain or shine for the annual Artists in the Garden tour on Saturday, June 20, 2015.
This year’s event includes gardens in Oshawa and Whitby with entertainment provided by
local Durham Region musicians and artists from a wide variety of mediums selling their
products.
Tickets are $20 per person in advance (or $25 at the Garden Gate). Tickets will go on sale
in mid-May and are available online at www.artistsinthegarden.com or at the following ticket
outlets:
Andrew’s Shoes,
4160 Baldwin St., S., Whitby Tel: 905-620-0884
Dyne’s Gift House,
728 Anderson St., Whitby Tel: 905-666-0286
Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre
Lasting Expressions Floral Designs with Flair,
555 Rossland Rd., E., Oshawa Tel: 905-728-4299
Romancing the Home,
59 King St., W., Bowmanville Tel: 905-623-9911
Romancing the Home, 242 Queen St., Port Perry Tel: 905-985-7333
Romancing the Home, 70 King St. W., Cobourg Tel: 905-373-0217
All proceeds from this fundraiser benefits Durham Region’s only Cancer Support Centre –
Hearth Place. For more information, email the committee at artists.inthegarden@gmail.com ,
visit us at www.artistsinthegarden.com or send us a message on Facebook.
We are proud to be bringing back our Ride for Hearth Place Motorcycle Ride for the 7 th year. This year it will be
Poker Run style. Our run will start with a catered breakfast from Pilar’s Catering and will continue around the
beautiful countryside. We will end at Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre back in Oshawa with a delicious BBQ
and fun pumping music thanks to Kenneth Peat Entertainment.
Registration is $50 for riders and $25 for passengers or FREE with $200 in pledges. Your registration fee includes
continental breakfast, door prizes, raffles, goody bag and BBQ lunch.
We hope you’ll join us! Visit the website address above to sign up.
For more event information, please contact Irena at 905-579-4833 or irena@hearthplace.org.
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Hearth Place is self-funded through donations and fundraising events.
JOIN US
WHY
CANADIAN TIRE
MOTORSPORT PARK
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
REGISTER OR DONATE AT: WWW.HEARTHPLACE.ORG/INSIDERIDE
Contact your host organizer, Irena Kropman at
irena@hearthplace.org with any questions or
for your detailed event package.
WHAT
Hearth Place and Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation invite you to
experience the leading Team Celebration Event that raises funds for children and
their families living with and beyond cancer. It’s The Inside Ride!
1 in 330 individuals will be diagnosed with a malignant disease before their
20th birthday. The treatment and cure is a 24/7 process, often over a period
of 2-3 years, the effects of which can smother childhood or teen years.
The final year of Hearth Place’s Trillium Grant ended in 2014 which funded our Pediatric
Cancer Family Support Program . Let’s keep this program going! This program is
designed to empower and support the whole family. Childhood cancer can be an
extremely isolating disease and our goal is to support and connect families on their cancer
journey. All of our programs are free of charge.
This is a team-building event in support of a great cause, full of fun, uplifting music with a little bit of stationary
cycling thrown in! Add a professional emcee and crew, combined with medals for fundraising, team spirit, team
costume and team mileage. This event is sure to be memorable for years to come. Please join us! Your online
registration & fundraising of $600 per team secures your bike. Sign up with a team of six (6) and celebrate your
efforts to fundraise, have fun and give back!
REGISTER or DONATE
With the support of our friends at
Fer-Pal, 100% of donations will flow
directly through to Hearth Place.
www.hearthplace.org/insideride
Featuring our Hearth Place Third Party Events...
At Chris Hadfield Public School in Brooklin, Ontario
our mission is to teach students to look beyond
themselves and act with empathy and compassion.
The Builders Club at our school is a student group
which builds leadership in our students by actively
serving the school, local and global community. Our
Builders Club Treasurer has a family connection to
the Hearth Place and recommended that we do
something to support the amazing work that they
do. During the Valentine's day celebrations in
February, the Builders Club sold candy grams for 50
cents. With the enthusiastic
support of the students at our
school, we were able to raise
$800 to donate to Hearth Place.
We look forward to future
opportunities where we can help
support the important work done
at Hearth Place.
-written by executive members:
Chloe, Zoya, Mikayla and Isabella.
Event Information
For more event information, please contact Irena at 905-579-4833 or irena@hearthplace.org.
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In Memoriam
Hearth Place sends our warm thoughts and condolences to the families of Gail
Sheppard, Joan Ash, Mary Price, Vince Fiorini, Carol Von Kalckreuth, June Carson,
Jessie Colson, Sharon Emm, Amanda Visser, Randy Wilbur, Ewa Majcher, Flo
Francis, Maria Salemi, Rita Silvestri and Lori Ocon.
Thank you to the families of Joan Ash, Vince Fiorini, Carol Von Kalckreuth and
June Carson and Sharon Emm, Flo Francis and Maria Salemi for directing
donations in memory of their loved ones to Hearth Place.
Do you need to update your contact
information with us? Or would you like to
Go Green and get your newsletter by
email?
please contact Amy at 905-579-4833 or
Kin
uls
o
dS
Hearth Place and our members could not have all our needs met without the kindness, generosity and
skills of the community. We would like to extend a warm thank you to all the kind souls who have
donated hats, wigs, blankets, prostheses, teddy bears, event supplies and various other treasures:
Millbrook Needlers Quilt Guild, Cheyrl Hudson, Marlene Hickey, Kim Mollison, Mary Ann Bell, Sarah
DeBartolo, Christine, Rachel and Lauren Vanderley, James Davies, Linda McGill, Phyllis Kelly, Brenda
Bosse, Oshawa Knitter’s Guild, Cesca Warriner, and Annette Moore.
Many thanks to all the wonderful people who have donated their hair to the Pantene Great Lengths
Program…
Ashley Neal, Mary Lynch, Nicholas Gilbert, Nelylyn Avergonzodo, Mary Avergonzado, and Doug Paterson
(top right).
A special recognition goes to our young hair donors: Shannon Andrews (pictured right) (age 7), Madison
Fraser (age 15), Sisters Rachel McDowell-Anderson (age 14) and Claire Anderson (age 9) (pictured bottom),
and Charley (age 3) with her sister, Ryley (age 10) (pictured left)
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PLEASE VOTE FOR HEARTH PLACE
PEDIATRIC CANCER PROGRAM STARTING
MAY 4, 2015
HOW:
GO TO WWW.learningproject.cst.org
NEXT: REGISTER ON THEIR WEBSITE
THEN: LOOK UP ‘HEARTH PLACE’ SUPPORTING KIDS WITH CANCER
FINALLY:
HIT THE VOTE BUTTON. PLEASE DO THIS EVERY DAY FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
AND WIN US UP TO $50,000
THANK YOU!
The craft of caring….
On a day to day basis the members of Hearth Place are thought of by complete strangers as the community rallies to use their skills,
talents and craftsmanship to generously meet needs in a very special way. Medical dolls, hats, bags for kids care packages, afghans,
quilts, knitted prosthesis, pillows, wig stands and even a garden pergola; have all been made with so much love and dedication.
On behalf of the members, Hearth Place would like to thank and honor everyone who has shaped the wood, purled a stitch, filled a
pillow, hammered a nail and opened their heart.
Hearth Place would like to thank Cheyrl Hudson for crocheting these beautiful pillows for patients
undergoing breast cancer surgeries.
The heart pillows are usually sewn with fabric, however, Cheyrl used her talents as a crochet guru and
created the new pattern from scratch with a yarn medium.
These lovely “heart shaped” pillows have a wonderful purpose for people who have acquired
lymphedema and/or undergone lumpectomies, mastectomies or port surgery.
The composition of the pillow...

Fits under the arm to help prevent skin contact on new stitches

Provides support and elevation to swollen arms affected by lymphedema

Goes under the seatbelt or under the arm in the car to prevent friction on ports and incisions.

Helps to take pressure off the arm and/or the breast on your sore, sensitive side after a
mastectomy or lumpectomy, or during radiation treatments.

While sleeping, it helps to keep the shoulder from rolling forward over ports and incisions.

Fills in the space that is present after a mastectomy, giving you a more comfortable rest when
lying on your side.
If you would like to share your sewing or crochet talents and create heart pillows for donation, please
feel welcome to contact Amy at Hearth Place. We can send you the Cheyrl Hudson Crochet pattern or
the sewing pattern for these wonderful creations!
Amy Patterson—905-579-4833 or amy@hearthplace.org
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With warm thanks
Hearth Place would like to thank and acknowledge the following individuals, companies and organizations for their time and
donations:

Ontario Power Generation’s Employee and Pensioner’s Charity Trust ~ $471

Clark Property Maintenance annual contribution ~ $100

Nolan Jones (age 4) and his mother Rosalind made a $520 donation

George Robbins for his $100 donation towards the purchase of juice for Hearth Place programs

Kingsview United Church Women’s group ~ $183.05

Pickering Village United Church Women ~ $50

Faith United Church Women ~ $150

Lions Club of Newcastle ~ $300

Pink Sensations Dragon Boat Team ~ $232.12

Scotiabank (Main Branch, Oshawa) ~ $1,000
It takes a village...
On April 10th the children from our Pediatric Cancer program were treated to a Fun Day at
Trafalgar Castle School in Whitby. The event was planned and run by the students who did an
amazing job! The kids played games in the gym, had an Easter egg hunt throughout the school,
played a real life game of “Clue”, decorated cupcakes and enjoyed a pizza dinner! A huge thankyou to the staff and students of Trafalgar Castle school for putting on a fabulous Fun Day for our
families to enjoy!
On March 25th Executive Director, Andrea
Shaw, had the pleasure of being the guest
speaker for the Newcastle Lion’s club.
Hearth Place received a lovely surprise when
Pat Mulcahy presented Andrea with a
cheque for $300 on her next visit to our
centre. These funds go towards funding
valuable programs for our members.
On March 26th, as part of World Storytelling Month the Durham Folklore Storytellers
entertained our Pediatric Cancer children’s program with stories about “Wishes”.
We had 4 storytellers join us for a magical evening, igniting the imaginations of our
children and volunteers. We are very grateful to the Durham Folklore Storytellers
for sharing their passion and excitement with us!
Fresh baked treats for Groundskeeping and
Snow Removal
our support groups
Cookies for our events
and support groups.
Photocopiers and
Supplies
4 year old, Nolan donated his
own $20 to Hearth Place, in
memory of is Grandma and
Great Grandpa. Our guardian
angels come in every shape
and size. Thank you, Nolan!
Imperial Coffees
and Teas
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