Christmas comes early for staff at the Cross Cancer Institute thanks to donor generosity

PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION: Tuesday, December 17, 2024

EDMONTON – An anonymous donor is making the season bright for hundreds of staff at the Cross Cancer Institute this holiday season. A dedicated Staff Wellness Centre has opened at the site after a $1.4 million renovation, giving cancer care workers a place to rest and rejuvenate.

“We know that what makes the Cross so special is the people,” says Wendy Beauchesne, Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. “They work tirelessly to provide exceptional care and deserve a space all their own which recognizes the difficult work they do and the invaluable contributions they make to the care of those facing cancer.”

The Staff Wellness Centre is one of several projects stemming from the We Cross Cancer campaign which raised $30 million in support of research and patient care at the Cross Cancer Institute.

Prior to the opening of the wellness centre, staff at the Cross Cancer Institute had no dedicated space in the facility. Design firm WalterFedy was engaged to create the new centre and collaborated with staff on the design. The new space was designed to promote wellness and rejuvenation, and incorporates greenery, natural light and materials to promote calmness and tranquility. The 1600 square foot room is also designed to fit various needs and functions, and includes a kitchen, individual space for rest, a yoga and meditation space, and flexible community space for socializing.

The wellness centre was made possible in part, by a transformational gift from an anonymous donor and the generosity of other Alberta Cancer Foundation donors who saw the incredible work of staff and the daily impact they make on the lives of cancer patients.

“The Cross Cancer Institute has always provided excellent care and ground-breaking medical research,” says Dr. Randeep Sangha, director of the Cross Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Unit. “But the reality is, without donors, projects like this one simply wouldn’t be possible. We are deeply grateful to have this space, allowing our team to rest, rejuvenate, and give our very best to patients.”

“The Staff Wellness Centre provides a place for staff to recharge and re-connect at the Cross,” says David Dyer, executive director of the Cross Cancer Institute. “It fosters a positive work environment, and by supporting the well-being of staff, the wellness space will indirectly contribute to improved patient care and outcomes.”

The wellness centre is one of the first projects to be completed out of several underway as part of the funds raised through the Alberta Cancer Foundation’s We Cross Cancer campaign.

Other work underway includes plans to expand the facility’s pharmacy in support of clinical trials, creating a purpose-built clinical trials unit and a virtual care unit, and re-locating existing chemotherapy and day-treatment spaces to improve patient privacy, comfort and care.