Hearth Place nearing expansion

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

It’s taken longer than expected, but Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre will soon embark on a project which will allow the organization to significantly expand its programming.

In October 2017, Hearth Place launched the $750,000 “Building Hope for the Future” capital campaign to build a new wing on the centre.

Established in 1997, Hearth Place moved to its current building, constructed by the Durham Region Home Builder Association in 2005, expanding its space from 1,200 sq. ft. to 6,100 sq. ft.

The new wing will add an additional 2,400 sq. ft., says executive director Andrea Shaw.

Shaw says they have met the initial goal of $750,000 but there is still work to do.

“We have enough money to build but we still have a lot more to raise for phone systems, computers, and the furnishings [etc.]…so we are still hoping to get around another $250,000,” Shaw explains.

With a project like this, Shaw notes there are always unplanned expenses.

“Whenever you start doing renovations, it takes you out of grandfathered [regulations], so there are new codes for everything, so all the gas piping has to be replaced, all the siding has to be removed and updated, that kind of thing. So expenses change,” she says.

Even with that, the expectation is to break ground in early-May and have the new wing completed by Christmas.

The addition will include four new rooms for individual counselling, which Shaw says give “a lot more freedom.”

“Everything will happen in a much more immediate way, instead of five people sharing one computer,” she notes.

Further upgrades include a dedicated space for lymphedema education and assessment, a large paediatric and family support space, and a group support room.

Shaw says the potential for expanded programming include nutritional support and demonstrations, expressive arts, end of life transitional support (such as legacy and will planning), and a day centre.

What exactly is offered will be influenced greatly by those who Hearth Place supports.

“The people who walk through the doors are the experts,” Shaw says.

The need for services provided at Hearth Place will continue to grow, she adds.

“Cancer has always been an age-related condition. Within 15 to 20 years, 25 to 35 per cent of our region will be senior citizens, so that is a concern,” Shaw says. “But we’re also seeing an increasing number of younger people being diagnosed.”

This week marked one-year since former Durham regional chair Roger Anderson passed away from cancer.

At the launch for the capital campaign, Anderson named Hearth Place as the charity of choice for the annual Building Industry for Durham Deeds (BIDD) luncheon through 2021.

Anderson co-hosted the luncheon with Tribute Communities co-founder Al Libfield before his passing.

“Roger was a supporter of Hearth Place since its inception, and very dedicated to our cause,” Shaw says. “The money they donated each year actually took us from a deficit budget to being able to purchase the property next door so we could even build.”