In December 2011, I visited Ottawa for the purpose of training two remarkable cancer coaches to run our Brain Fog program at the newly opened Maplesoft Centre for Cancer Survivorship Care. Although it was an intense 3 days for the new trainees, their enthusiasm for the material kept them motivated and attentive. In the evening I delivered a well attended talk on the topic of ‘brain fog’ as part of the centre’s Cancer Connections Speaker Series.

An initiative of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, the Maplesoft Centre opened its doors this past fall and provides over 40 cancer survivorship events and programs in addition to one-on-one cancer coaching. The multidisciplinary team of coaches includes oncologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and kinesiologists. Not only is the facility beautifully designed but it is also managed by a special and unique combination of individuals! The second floor houses the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation staff members who work tirelessly under the direction of famed fundraiser Linda Egan.

Currently in week 2 of the 8 week brain fog program, Maplesoft will soon be starting a second, overlapping, brain fog group to manage the high demand for the program. We are excited about the positive feedback received from Ottawa regarding our program and look forward to training more program leaders across Canada. If you (or your centre) are interested in running Brain Fog, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Approximately 3,000 people have participated in our cancer-related brain fog programs, and we look forward to helping many more.

Posted by Heather, Feb. 16, 2012