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Wellspring makes Aldo’s dream a reality (8 photos)

Twenty years ago, Ann Mantini-Celima made a promise to her dying brother, Aldo. Thanks to a stream of solid community support, she was able to deliver on that promise

Twenty years ago, Ann Mantini-Celima made a promise to her dying brother, Aldo.

And after singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in harmony with her sisters, Barbara and Sandra—AKA The Mantini Sisters—an emotional Ann thanked a crowd of supporters for helping her keep that promise.

“I’ve been involved with Wellspring for 20 years, since my brother passed away Feb. 28, 1999,” she said. “He made me promise to continue with his dream to establish a Niagara cancer support centre, because he didn’t want anyone to be alone” while enduring cancer.

Aldo’s wife Mary and son Robert, along with donors, staff and patients, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Wellspring facility Thursday night, two years to the day after the groundbreaking was held at the Fonthill site.

“Robert was a year old when Aldo passed away,” said Mantini-Celima. “I hope you see a glimpse of what your dad was all about. He was very, very special and I didn’t know how I would do this, but he was by my side and I’m very proud of Aldo, that he had a vision. And I think he would’ve been amazed at the thousands of people who have been impacted” by Wellspring since it started, she added.

“We raised the money to open on Schmon (Parkway, in Thorold) in less than two years, and in that little 2,000 square foot facility,” helped thousands of Niagara cancer patients by offering profound healing programs, with a small staff of three, assisted by volunteers.

“Now, we have this beautiful facility, and the only thing I wanted to do was to dedicate the building to Aldo. We found an artist, Roger Schmidt, who did an incredible painting of Aldo, so I thank you for bringing Aldo to life,” she stated.

Through the years, Wellspring has grown “so much,” she continued, “and our programs have been varied to meet the needs of the community.”

Wellspring helps people with all types of cancer. “And we’re the only support centre in the Niagara region that supports children living with cancer. Thank you to the community for allowing us to provide these programs free of charge.”

Yolanda MacArthur described how Wellspring was instrumental in helping her heal.

“In 2017, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer,” she stated, adding that she was “terrified.”

“I had lost hope. I was only able to live one day at a time. I had no clue this magical place existed.”

At the Thorold facility, “I realized I was in a place of compassion, understanding, and support I needed to get through this journey.”

MacArthur said she was “skeptical,” but signed up to learn meditation techniques, which worked so well, she still practices them; along with yoga, Reiki, and art therapy workshops.

“I took away something from every single workshop, but most important were the people,” she said. “They make you feel welcome, they comfort you, they support you, and they encourage you.”

Meeting other cancer patients proved invaluable, she added. “Some have become good friends. I don’t have to pretend I’m okay if I’m not having a good day. I’m not judged on how I feel and how I look. They get it.”

Seeing other people who’ve survived cancer treatments “allowed me to plan for my journey. Every time I walk through these doors, I felt a kindness beyond anything I’ve ever felt before.”

She concluded by thanking all donors, volunteers and staff who “helped me get through the toughest time in my life.”

Town of Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin thanked the previous council, “who had the foresight to push this forward,” at Wellspring’s new location, at 50 Wellspring Way.

“In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need this building,” said the mayor. “The Town saw the need, but it was the community and the area businesses that stepped up to the plate, and ended up with this beautiful result.”

Joe Matthews, chair of Wellspring’s board of directors, was the “first male member who walked through the doors in 2002,” said Mantini-Celima.

“I’m very proud to tell you that our fundraising goal of $5 million has been met,” announced Matthews, “and tonight really is a celebration of that accomplishment, that we all have accomplished together.”

Matthews thanked Rankin Construction, Walker Industries, and the Town of Pelham as “donors who made this possible. People and families who are living with the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis are lifted on a daily basis because of you. Children” who have cancer get the chance to play with others at Wellspring, “and leave feeling better.”

He also thanked Mantini-Celima for her positive attitude and “extraordinary work ethic,” and “a dedicated board” which had the “foresight to recognize we needed a larger space, and took the risk of building this major project;” a facility “to treat the body, spirit and mind of cancer victims. People who take part in our holistic programs are better prepared to face treatments.”

Mantini-Celima said that lead donor Tom Rankin of Rankin Construction “didn’t want to have any recognition and they have asked that the wing be named for Mary Ann Edwards,” who initiated and organizes the annual Rankin Cancer Run, which has funded Wellspring since 2004.

“The cancer survivors who donate their time here and volunteer every day are truly angels on earth,” said Edwards. “Until I take my last breath, I will forever thank the Rankin family for all that they do.”

Along with her committee, which includes Joan Crawford, Claudia Makinson, and Jamie Edwards Graham, Edwards said, “We live and breathe the pink ribbon. We listened to cancer survivors tell us, ‘We’re too sick to travel to Hamilton and Toronto’.  If Rankins had said no, there would be no committee, no $9,817,000 raised and returned to Niagara” through the Rankin Run, she added.

All are welcome when Wellspring hosts its Community Day this Saturday, Sept. 14, which includes a barbecue, children’s activities, and tours through the facility from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information is available at www.wellspringniagara.ca