Southeast Cancer Support Services prepares to help

A brand-new cancer support organization will be opening their doors in Steinbach, serving the entire Southeast to help those with cancer deal with the unexpected costs that come their way.

Called Southeast Cancer Support Services, the organization has been in the process of forming for several years. Though they don’t have a physical location yet, (one is planned for September or October of this year), the group, managed by a local board announced their first official fundraiser on Tuesday.

Southeast Cancer Support Services will benefit from a summer charity barbecue, scheduled for Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Steinbach Credit Union.

Board chair Heather Jowett said she was drawn to the idea, which was first talked about before COVID, but formally was created after restrictions were withdrawn.

“There is absolutely nothing in this area like it and people are struggling,” she said.

The new organization is modelled after similar ones in Portage and the Winkler/Morden area, both of which have existed for close to two decades.

Described as a community-based not-for-profit organization, their goal is to provide resources, support, education and hope for cancer patients and families in the Southeast.

Southeast Cancer Support Services supports patients in 88 communities, and assists with cancer related financial stressors and other supports.

That means offering transportation to treatments and appointments, accommodations associated with treatments, financial assistance in incidentals incurred, education and information resources, individual and group supports, wigs and head coverings, wellness programs, cancer prevention and screening information and palliative care resources.

Jowett said there are people who have already been asking for help.

“I was quite startled when I found out there were people not going to treatment quite simply because they don’t have transportation or the means to get to that treatment,” she said.

Support will help people who need to go to Steinbach or Winnipeg for treatments.

Jowett said when she was asked to join the board it was an easy decision to make.

Her husband died from cancer three years ago, and she recalls making trips to Winnipeg four days per week for weeks on end as he attended natural and traditional treatments.

“I just said to him, ‘You know that a lot of people just couldn’t afford to do this, even just the fuel for a vehicle,’” she said.

Fundraising has begun with a pledge campaign, and seven founding partners have given the organization their start.

People can offer one-time, monthly or annual donations. Funds can also be donated in memory of those who have died, can be given through payroll deductions, in lieu of flowers at funerals, or even for weddings and birthdays.

Jowett said when they examined the Portage and Winkler/Morden models they saw that people who benefitted from the program are often the first ones to give back.

The reception they’ve gotten so far, has proven to the board that the support is out there.

“Cancer resonates with everybody, it really does,” she said. “People are willing to listen at the very least.”

“We’ve had lots of very positive feedback because everybody knows someone with cancer,” she added. “It’s quite shocking really how hard some people have it when they get sick.”

Southeast Cancer Support Services is also looking for volunteer drivers, coordinators, fundraising and event volunteers, marketing and social media volunteers, office and administration volunteers and board and committee members.

Southeast Cancer Support Servies is now on Facebook and on Instagram @se.cancersupport.

Future fundraisers are also planned, but for now the group is looking forward to introducing themselves at the charity barbecue on Aug. 7.