TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Announces Partnership with Childcan, a foundation supporting children with cancer.
At the Y, our mission is to build healthy communities through the delivery of programs and services that support the development of spirit, mind, and body. By partnering with organizations that support our mission, we’re able to reach more people and accomplish our goals together. YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is incredibly excited to welcome Childcan families into our Health, Fitness, & Aquatics branches across the region. In doing so, our two organizations are ensuring that families being impacted by cancer have access to programs and services to support healthy, active, and connected lives.
“We are inspired by Childcan’s mission to support children and families affected by cancer. Being able to participate in wellness programs like those offered through the Y will have direct mental and physical health benefits for Childcan families.” - Andrew Lockie, CEO, YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.
Within the region, approximately 100 children receive a new diagnosis of childhood cancer or relapse each year. Childcan offers financial, emotional, and social support programs to families as well as funding research to improve treatments. Childcan supports families – diagnosed child, siblings, parents/caregivers – throughout the entire journey from diagnosis, through treatment, to recovery or bereavement.
“As you can imagine, facing a diagnosis of cancer in your child is emotionally devastating. The journey is long and hard and it is critical that parents and families look after their mental and physical wellness throughout. That’s why we are so excited about our partnership with the Y. Being able to offer our families all of their many programs and services, at a hugely discounted rate, is another way that we can work towards alleviating as much of the stress and burden from our Childcan families as possible, enabling them to focus on their child’s care. We’re so grateful to the Y for providing this meaningful support.” - Kathleen Barnard, Executive Director of Childcan.
We are delighted to share feedback from families about this incredible partnership:
“WOW! This is fantastic news. Thank you so much. We look forward to our YMCA membership!!”
“We are so grateful for this program and are looking forward to being able to use it.”
“We will make great use of this :)”