Stones of Hope

Within the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park in Ottawa you will find the Mary Eagan Healing Garden. This garden has been donated by Terry Eagan, himself a cancer survivor, in memory of his wife Mary who lost her battle with cancer. The Healing Garden features a fountain that runs off into stones – these are the Stones of Hope.

When The Cancer Foundation, in partnership with the Richard and Annette Bloch Foundation and a committed group of community leaders, first broke ground on the Cancer Survivors Park, we invited media to witness the occasion. A local broadcaster, Gord McDougall, was assigned to cover the Opening and did so with a heavy heart. He had received word, just a few days prior, that his long-time friend had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. As a result, the day’s activity and the description of what the Park would represent were especially loaded for Gord. He took some time to wander the grounds, considering what lay ahead for his friend.

During his walkabout and inspired by the hope the Park would project once completed, Gord picked up four stones from among those on the Park grounds. He gave one to each of his circle of childhood friends, including his dear friend who was dealing with her diagnosis, and kept one for himself. He told them where they’d come from and how they were meant as a symbol of hope and for his friend, something tangible that told her they were always with her. They vowed to visit the Park together to return the stones once their friend was cancer-free.

Several months later, as The Cancer Foundation prepared for the official opening of the Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park, Linda Eagen received a call from Gord. He shared his story with her and told her, with glee in his voice, that it was time for the four of them to return their stones. His friend is a survivor.

So moved by this story and the hope these four stones brought to this group of friends, The Cancer Foundation decided that this same hope had to be available to anyone who needed and could share it.

Today, when you visit The Cancer Survivors Park you will see the Stones of Hope at the base of The Mary Eagan Healing Garden. Visitors are invited to take one of these polished stones – for themselves or to share with a loved one - so that a piece of the Park can inspire hope during their Cancer Journey. There is only one catch – you must also return the Stone when it has served its purpose so that someone else can take it through their journey.

*NOTE:  Stones of Hope are available at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation office at 265 Carling Ave, Ottawa throughout the winter and until the fountain runs again in spring and the Stones are returned to the Park.