The Christmas season can be challenging for those facing illness or loss; an event on Thursday aims to help

On Thursday, November 24, at 7 pm at the Whitecourt United Church, the Whitecourt Cancer and Wellness Society is holding its annual An Evening of Music event, bringing a message of hope and peace to community members. The musical evening has been a yearly event since about 2008 but hasn’t run through the pandemic for the last few years. Current society president Kim Nendsa is happy to see it return.

“It’s beautiful to come together as a community to celebrate and be supported. It’s important to recognize that the holidays can be difficult for those with a serious illness like cancer or those who have lost someone in their life, especially when everyone (around them) is celebrating it as a happy time. For a lot of people, it might not be such a happy time, and this evening recognizes that.”

Nendsa said there would be performers from the community playing for attendees and that there would also be readings and poems shared, which would touch on how difficult the season can be. “We hope this event helps recognize the beauty in the season and that it’s ok to be sad. We are here for each other, and you are supported.”

She explained that a few years after the society was formed (2002), founders Cheryl Duncan-Molloy and Gail Bablitz recognized the heaviness that the holidays could bring and decided to hold the first of many musical evenings. Each year, the free event brings out a large audience. With local talent sharing their gifts, the event is just like the Whitecourt Cancer and Wellness Society in that it’s community members supporting community members.

“We expect our show to be just over an hour, maybe an hour and fifteen minutes. We have everything from piano to the Community Choir and Indigenous performers. It will be wonderful,” said Nendsa. She said that before restrictions put the yearly event on pause, music teachers would recommend pupils for the show. Through the delay, Nendsa said that teachers stayed in touch. “We really appreciate that those people have stayed in touch with us as we haven’t been able to hold this event for the last few years. It’s really nice to host it again and have them be part of it.” Nendsa said her favourite part of the event was listening to the readings shared. “I really like the readings. I like that we’ve had a really great group of volunteers come together for it, and I like seeing them again and hearing them.”

This year’s event will also be a “passing of the torch,” so to speak, as the founders take a step back, allowing new faces to come in and take a more prominent role in the society. “Gail Bablitz has been the president of the Cancer and Wellness Society, and she always organized this event. She has retired from her job with Alberta Health Services and is taking a step away from her responsibilities in the community. However, she is still available to us as an advisor. We’ve got a new group of people organizing this event, so it’s a bit of the old and the new together, which is nice to see that passing of the torch happening.”

Nendsa said she is grateful to Bablitz and Duncan-Molloy for starting things and helping support so many. “Since 2002, they have helped hundreds of people in our community, not just financially but with support through these events where people can come together and meet others going through the same things. The society has also supported education for healthcare providers in our community, and they’ve had conferences for people in the community who have cancer. They have facilitated so much and have brought local knowledge and talents together. The impact they have brought to the community through the Whitecourt Cancer and Wellness Society is immeasurable, and that’s a tough act to follow. They’ve set great groundwork.”

Donations provided to the society through corporations, and individual people stay in the community one hundred percent. Besides the minimal cost of stamps and cards, every penny raised in Whitecourt stays in Whitecourt. “Anyone in Whitecourt, with a doctor in the community, that receives a cancer diagnosis can contact the society or talk to their healthcare provider and be connected to us to receive funding assistance.” Nendsa explained that they provide grocery vouchers and gas cards to those diagnosed with cancer to help cover travelling costs for treatments outside of the community, which add up.

The volunteer-run society provides support through multiple avenues to help alleviate some of the burdens those battling cancer face. “We will also ensure you are connected with the Cancer Navigator at the Primary Care Network and other provincial resources available to you.”

An Evening of Music takes place on Thursday, November 24, at 7 pm downtown at the Whitecourt United Church. There will be refreshments following the musical portion of the evening. “It’s nice to have that time afterwards to be together to talk, especially after not being able to gather for a few years. It’ll be a nice free Christmassy seasonal appreciation, recognizing that it is not an easy time for everybody. All are welcome to attend.”