Where It All Began

The Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre is a cancer support Centre providing psychosocial support to people living with cancer, their families and caregivers in the community.

Sandy Cornell from GBCSC on Vimeo.

Sandy got sick and a whole community got better.

How it all began…

Sandy and George in the BoatI have always thrived on making life better for others, as a mother, wife, nurse and friend.  I am not afraid to fight for what I believe in and stand up for those that can’t stand on their own.  I spent a lifetime worrying for and taking care of others.  When I found my tumour and soon after was diagnosed with cancer, suddenly, the nurse became the patient and the mother needed to be cared for.  I was scared beyond description and could hardly breathe, but I looked across at my husband, George, and had hope that we would make it through this.

Immediately, my family became my rock, especially George.  They built me a deck at our home that faced out to Georgian Bay and called it the “recovery deck”.  During my treatment I would sit and enjoy sunsets on this deck and pray for the strength and courage I needed to continue on.  I would hope for the day I would watch my children get married and meet my first grandchild.  George would often come out to remind me that I would survive, that he loved me, and that I was beautiful (I loved him for his poker face).  My children would call me and cry with me, which I was always relieved to hear, because tears were healthy and I needed to know they were dealing with this crisis and the scars would be minimal.

Both my mother and older sister are cancer survivors and when I looked at them I saw hope.  I realized how powerful it was to be able to share my fears with those who had been through what I was experiencing.  I was also blessed with a loving and devoted group of friends whose laughter gave me hope when it was slipping away.  It was at this point that I realized part of my survival plan was to make this challenge count for something.  I craved information on the impacts of cancer because the more I learned the stronger I was emotionally.  Before treatment ended I decided I was going to start a local cancer support centre.

Today, I am blessed.  With the help of many of my angels, including Reinhart Weber, Nicola Tomkins, and Andrew Combes, I have founded the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre and I just passed my 5 year cancer free mark.  I am full of hope every time I walk into the Centre and see members leaning on one another and sharing their strength when someone needs it.  A cancer diagnosis can take so much from you, I am proud to have been given the strength from my family and friends, to forge on and fight for what I believe in.

Sandy Cornell

OUR MISSION

The Mission of the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre is to provide emotional, physical, social, spiritual support, education and information as  complement to the medical system for people affected by cancer.

 

OUR VISION

 The Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre strives to be recognized as a source of support, education and motivation for people living with cancer. their families and caregivers. Our vision is to be recognized throughout North Simcoe and the surrounding communities as a place of hope, comfort, strength and courage.