'They work tirelessly': Cross Cancer Institute opens new wellness centre for workers

Greenery inside the Staff Wellness Centre at the Cross Cancer Institute on Dec. 17, 2024. (Matt Marshall/CTV News Edmonton)

The Cross Cancer Institute (CCI) opened a new facility on Tuesday morning, giving cancer care workers a space to relax and take a break, thanks to an anonymous donor.

The Staff Wellness Centre cost $1.4 million and is one of many projects stemming from the We Cross Cancer campaign helmed by the Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF).

According to a media release by ACF, the campaign raised nearly $30 million for research and patient care at the CCI.

"For any physician, nurse, allied health care worker at the Cross Cancer, there are days that are difficult … to have a space – bright, warm – to retreat to and get that bit of reprieve and break, more now than ever in these challenging health care times (is) so appreciated," said Helen Steed, the medical director at CCI.

ACF said the new 1,600 square foot space was designed to "promote wellness and rejuvenation," while incorporating hyper-realistic greenery, circadian lighting that support natural sleep rhythms and materials to promote "calmness and tranquility."

"The Cross Cancer Institute has always provided excellent care and ground-breaking medical research," says Dr. Randeep Sangha, the director of the Cross Cancer Institute’s clinical trials unit.

"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," Dr. Sangha added.

The wellness centre comes equipped with a kitchen, individual space for rest, a yoga and meditation spot as well as a common area for socializing.

Other work currently underway at the facility includes plans to extend pharmacy support by creating a purpose-built clinical trial unit and virtual care unit and relocating existing chemotherapy and day-treatment spaces to improve on patients' comfort and privacy.

"It's an overwhelming gratitude and thankfulness that we have … the foundation and donors that appreciate what we do every day, and (I) just look forward to using this space a lot," said Steed.