Women's cancer support group WeyStrong has been active in Weyburn since it was formed last summer. Lisa Vick organized the group after her own cancer diagnosis left her looking for support in her community.
“I just found that there wasn't much support in Weyburn. Great things in Regina. There was a nice organization there but, you travel enough as it is. I didn't want to be having to travel for these things so I felt that there was a need and enough women in the community of Weyburn that we could start our own little support group here. So that was basically started in the summer of 2024 and we held our first retreat in October of 2024 and we've just kind of been snowballing since that event.”
Vick says the positive feedback provided from the retreat revealed how deep the need was, and women have found community and camaraderie through their shared experiences. She explains they’ve received an outpouring of support as well, which has allowed them to support their members and host events in the community.
“The fundraising that we received through the community, just outpouring of support, just through donations was fantastic. It's really set us up nicely to continue on offering events but for minimal charge, and sometimes free to the women to attend, because cancer does come with some costs, so we wanted to make our events as minimal cost as we could.”
Funds the group receives assist in the costs associated with undergoing cancer treatments. Vick says this can look like gas or grocery vouchers. They also aid in the cost of movement sessions, making it easier to remain active especially after treatment.
As construction of the new hospital continues, they plan to fundraise for the oncology unit it will house.
“We don't know what the oncology unit will need yet, we do know that there will be some needs that won't be covered in the new build. We would like to fundraise to be able to put our name on those items and donate them to the unit. We’re thankful that we will have access to an oncology unit right here in Weyburn.”
They have an upcoming fundraiser on March 8, a bunco night hosted at Cecelia's Banquet Hall. Vick encourages all women in the community to attend.
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She also notes any women who has had a cancer diagnosis can get involved with the group by reaching out to them through any of the members or at weystrong2024@gmail.com.
Vick expresses her thanks to the community for their support.
“I just want to thank the community again for their financial and and kind support in helping us get WeyStrong established, because there was such a need and the women that are coming out to these events are thankful as well, because they just didn't have anywhere else to go.”
“It's nice that we do have something in our community now that's growing, and will continue to grow, hopefully. It's unfortunate that our numbers are growing, because it's not a fun group to be part of, but we do have fun in our group.”