Why Survivor Wellness?
Our story - from Cancer Wellness House to Survivor Wellness, and beyond
The journey - like the journeys of our members - has been anything but ordinary. With every step, we've focused on supporting those impacted by cancer and the people who love them.
What We Do:
Survivor Wellness is a nonprofit organization providing free services and support to cancer survivors and their caregivers in a welcoming, home-like setting.
Programming addresses mental, emotional, physical, social, spiritual and financial health of those impacted by a cancer diagnosis in the Salt Lake Valley and beyond, and includes counseling, group and peer support, therapeutic services, and group wellness activities, plus abundant opportunities for social interaction. Our vision is to provide person centered, evidence-based care in a community-based, non-clinical setting without increasing the financial burden of cancer.
How We Started:
In 1996, the founding members of Cancer Wellness House - a group of local oncologists, cancer survivors and community members - hiked to the summit of King’s Peak, the highest peak in Utah, to honor the “the triumph of the human spirit” as embodied by those experiencing cancer.
The following year, those same individuals opened Cancer Wellness House, aided by Holy Cross Hospital (located across the street), which donated the use of the building at 59 S 1100 E in Salt Lake City. The beautiful, 2-story home, built in the early 1900’s, formerly held the Holy Cross Foundation, and, prior to that, was the private home of the Montgomery Family, who purchased it for $1450 in 1923 and lived in it for 50 years.
The founders of Cancer Wellness House knew that the programming offered at the newly-established nonprofit improved quality of life and health outcomes for the cancer survivors who walked through the doors.
In that day and age, if you received a cancer diagnosis, you generally went to the hospital and returned home, hoping for the best. But the founders knew that the services provided at the “59 House” were remarkably helpful in treating the effects of cancer treatment on not only the physical, but also the mental, emotional, social and spiritual health of the people who engaged in the services. Programming included group support, counseling, yoga & meditation and therapeutic bodywork - massage, acupuncture, reiki - that were not offered at hospitals and clinics at that time.
In fact, the mission statement of Cancer Wellness House included - and still includes - the words “in a home-like setting”, to ensure that the impact of the setting would always be an important part of the mission.
From Cancer Wellness to Survivor Wellness:
In 2020, the name of the organization was changed. The new name - Survivor Wellness - affirms both the journey that an individual diagnosed with cancer undergoes, and the mission of the organization.
Quite soon after, however, most programming was shuttered, and the houses stood quiet, due to the impact of the COVID pandemic.
In 2022, as the pandemic retreated, Survivor Wellness once again began offering programming, and the vision and mission were re-established. To enhance this vision, the logo was redesigned, featuring not one but two houses - reflecting the two houses, known as “The 59 House” and “The 57 House” - where programming at Survivor Wellness is offered.
Visit Survivor Wellness to experience this in person. We are grateful to Holy Cross Hospital Salt Lake City and Common Spirit Health for donating the use of the houses and gardens out of which we operate.
Why It’s Important:
At the time of its founding in 1997 as Cancer Wellness House, the organization was a unique resource in the Intermountain west, as the only place delivering wellness services to cancer survivors and their caregivers.
In intervening years, most hospitals and clinics provide similar services; however four obstacles prevent success in those settings:
1) Many cancer survivors cannot afford or access many of those services,
2) Availability of those services is limited,
3) Services are delivered in a hospital or clinic setting, which can re-introduce trauma associated with medical treatment for cancer, and
4) There are few opportunities for social and community support in the settings mentioned above.
Survivor Wellness transforms survivorship by providing meaningful services and community-based support in an at-home setting without placing an additional financial burden on its members.
It is a place to be heard and seen, to listen, to give and receive support, and to be in a community of others who are navigating the same thoughts, feelings and experiences that you are.
Survivor Wellness is a cancer care community, a sanctuary in the heart of the city.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Since 2022, Survivor Wellness has been dedicated to rebuilding its programming so that each person who walks through the doors of the houses is able to receive the care and support they need for the stage they are experiencing in their cancer journey. Along the way, the organization has committed itself to growing the organization in a healthy, sustainable way and ensuring the foundational aspects of the organization are solid. From here, we can only build UP!
Strategy includes:
Developing a more robust counseling program, to address the various mental health needs of community members
Deepening relationships with the community of Salt Lake City and beyond
Identifying crucial sponsorship opportunities
Engaging remarkable board members
Building a robust volunteer program
Identifying community leaders
Interested in becoming a part of the future of Survivor Wellness? Reach out!
Why join Survivor Wellness?
Programming is specific to the needs of those who have undergone a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and complements (but does not replace) standard medical treatment. Indeed, many cancer survivors live for years beyond treatment with cancer-related treatment effects which impact every aspect of their lives. With the care provided at Survivor Wellness, members show improved health outcomes and increased quality of life.
Programming at Survivor Wellness includes:
Individual counseling and assistance finding resources
Facilitated group & peer support (to address mental-emotional issues and social isolation)
1-1 therapeutic services (to address the physical effects of living with and beyond cancer treatment)
Therapeutic fitness & movement classes (to rebuild physical capacity)
Community events
All offered in two historic homes with lush gardens, a counseling cottage and a yoga studio/event space
Often, such services and support are not readily available to most cancer survivors.
When they are, they are often financially out of reach of many individuals who suffer from the financial impact of cancer.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there are ample opportunities for social interaction in this setting, which increases the positive impact of programming at Survivor Wellness.
I am quite certain that without the support of Survivor Wellness, it is unlikely that I would be here today, let alone remaining thriving and active while still battling Stage 4 cancer.
—Joe G., cholangiocarcinoma patient, member since 2022, and board chair