Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels

Subject: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: GUEST,Marion
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 04:09 PM

I found this announcement in a newsgroup:

MINSTREL PROGRAM


TORONTO REGIONAL SUNNYBROOK CANCER CENTRE


The Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre and the Board of Bayview Support Network (a volunteer peer support organization in the Cancer Centre) have approved the creation of a Minstrel Program. This program is being developed to bring the healing sound of instrumental and vocal music into the Atrium of the Cancer Centre. The Atrium is a beautiful 2 level space where cancer patients wait for treatment.



The Minstrel Program is a volunteer program of professional, amateur and student musicians and vocalists. The Minstrel Program welcomes anyone who would like to play light, quiet, soothing and uplifting music to help make the waiting time for treatment easier and more pleasant. The wait is often stressful and it has been proven that music can play a big part in stress reduction and helps in the healing of body, mind and soul (all of which are involved in a cancer experience).



Minstrels can provide music in whatever format they would like; i.e. wandering or stationary and in solo, duet or group presentations. The music can be improvisational in nature or structured.



Minstrel program volunteers are welcome to bring their music at any time from 8:00am - 8:00pm, Monday to Friday, once a week, once a month, twice a month. The program has been designed with built-in flexibility to accommodate personal schedules. There are no time slots to be filled.



** Volunteers are encouraged to attend a kick-off orientation on February 14th, 2003 at 1:30pm because it will include an opportunity to meet other fellow-minstrels who are helping to initiate the program; however, individual intake appointments will be scheduled to accommodate personal schedules.



**Bring your parking ticket when you attend volunteer intake sessions. It will be validated for free parking.





For more information about the Minstrel Program or to register for the February orientation call



Sharon Hudson Moore

Chair, Complimentary Therapy

Bayview Support Network Board

905 886 1539

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: SINSULL
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 02:37 PM

back to the top...

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Mooh
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 02:49 PM

I'm three hours from Toronto at least, probably more once parking and so on is figured in, but this sounds like a worthwhile thing. I think if I can interest someone I know to join me, I'd do it.

My sister Barb died in Toronto last September, of cancer. She was one of the brightest, imaginative, creative, thoughtful souls I've ever known. She would have liked this idea.

Thanks Marion for posting this.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 03:09 PM

I am a 6 hour drive, but I would be happy to plan a weekend to come and do this sometime.

Mick

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 03:53 PM

The Regional Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital is where Rick was treated for his little problem last year so I can tell you from personal experience that it's a wonderful facility. They make quite an effort to be supportive to their patients: knitting baskets and jigsaw puzzles to relieve stress while you wait; a coffee shop looking out onto a charming walled garden; a library, quiet room, support groups and more. Little things, perhaps, but they make a big difference, as you walk in for the first time and see all this, you feel cared. Most of these are run by volunteers and what wonderful people they are, all of them are cancer survivors, though I expect they'll be making an exception for the minstrel program.

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 08:14 PM

I HAVEN'T started describing myself in the third person!

That must have been Heather on my cookie.....but I concur. They're good people up there.

Thr real Rick

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Susan A-R
Date: 01 Feb 03 - 10:50 PM

Planning ahead, looks like I'll be there over Labor Day weekend (The big Sci Fi Con will be in Toronto(. If it's appropriate, perhaps I'll see if I can dragoon a few buddies into stopping in.

My much beloved Dad died of cancer about 3 years ago, loved music, and would have loved this idea.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Marion
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 12:14 PM

Guest Mick, are you Big Mick?

Marion

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 12:18 PM

Rick, what's Duckboots doing hanging out on a cookie? She tryin' to be some kinda tart? :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Fortunato
Date: 04 Feb 03 - 02:20 PM

Rick, I always find that I associate with a better class of individual when I address myself in the third person. But that's just me, of course.

Subject: RE: Toronto cancer centre seeks minstrels
From: Marion
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 04:42 PM

I went out to this centre today for orientation and to do a little fiddling, and have scheduled some other sessions, including St. Patrick's morning. It is a nice space, and I got some compliments and a little dancing for my efforts. I also got one complaint from a management staff person because I had played Amazing Grace - he thought some patients would be bothered by "funeral music". Oh well.

Mooh, Susan, and Mick: volunteering music here involves less hoop-jumping than other hospitals; they don't ask for a police check, TB test, references, or a one-year commitment the way most hospital volunteer programs in Toronto do. However, you do need to be a certified minstrel to play which means being oriented and getting a card made, so if you come out you should plan on spending an hour or so doing orientation first. Also, note that it's only open weekdays - they don't have any inpatients. Feel free to PM me if you want to ask anything, or if Guest Mick is not in fact Big Mick he can ask on this thread too of course.

Cheers, Marion