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January 20, 2015
New
multi-faith and meditation suite to help those dealing with cancer
pmccooey@ottawacitizen.com
Since the Ottawa Regional Cancer
Foundation opened the centre’s doors in 2011, they have provided
patients with cancer coaches — with the help of nurses and social
workers — who support patients and their families as they deal with the
challenges of cancer. The addition of the meditation suite enhances the
centre’s holistic approach to healing.
“This is going to be an
important gathering space for people as they
experience their cancer journey,” said foundation president and CEO
Linda Eagen at the launch. “We all know that sometimes we can gain
strength in spirituality or other means of coping and sharing and so
this suite is going to be yet again removing barriers to access to
better cancer care in our community.”
Others in attendance included Ottawa south MPP John Fraser, and
spiritual and religious leaders such as Rabbi Reuven Bulka, Imam Samy
Metwally and Behnaz Bahrami of Ottawa Baha’i Centre, who is a cancer
survivor.
“I think it was really time that we collaborated and bring the physical
aspects of our healing with the spiritual aspects,” says Bahrami,
emphasizing that illness is a universal battle, regardless of
background. “I’m really excited about this beautiful space that’s been
provided in this magnificent facility.”
The room — open to people of all faiths and religions — is located in a
quaint space on the centre’s lower level in the building’s healing
corner, which also includes separate infrared sauna and reiki therapy
suites, as well as a threatre and exercise room.
The quiet space features a plush area carpet with light flowing through
an upper transom window, candle lights and a variety of religious books
and literature.
Several community groups donated to the meditation suite, including the
Canadian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and Soul Sista’s Networking
Group, that donated items such as the pillows and throws.
Bhante Jinananda, a Buddhist monk who teaches meditation, was one of
the community members consulted for the project. He said considers the
new room to be “a very calm place” patients and their family can use as
a refuge.
Published in the Ottawa
Citizen January 20, 2015
COPYRIGHT © 2015 Ottawa Citizen
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