The Haut-Richelieu Cancer Wellness Centre opened in October 2023, through a strategic partnership between the oncology division of CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Centre, the Fondation Santé Haut-Richelieu-Rouville and the Quebec Cancer Foundation. It offers a broad spectrum of care and services under one roof, close to where people with cancer and their loved ones live. Three days a week, the centre offers yoga, massage therapy, movement therapy, art therapy, wig lending, hairdressing, workshops and lectures, for free or at a low cost.

The Cancer Wellness Centre promotes physical and emotional well-being before, during and after cancer treatment. It addresses non-medical needs, which is often rare in hospital care settings. Its holistic approach, complementing traditional healthcare, makes it all the more important. By combining evidence-based care with a people-focused, local approach, the Cancer Wellness Centre has become an essential resource for the community, addressing the clear need for these services outside major urban centres.

In its first year, the Centre recorded 845 visits from 159 individuals. The Centre’s 14 volunteers play a vital role in ensuring its smooth operation, greeting users with warmth and compassion and providing information about the services available.

Lead:
Nathalie Moreau, Oncology Program Director