J. Wesley Graham Patient & Family Resource Centre
Welcome to all patients, families and care partners. Enjoy our small public library within the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre. The resource centre has information on a wide number of topics specific to cancer, cancer symptoms and support services.
Volunteer Recruitment
** We are looking for more volunteers to help run our Resource Centre! **
Volunteers are so important in the day to day operations of our resource centre. We are looking to recruit more volunteers to come in for one, 4 hour shift per week. If you like:
- Helping patients and caregivers find cancer related information
- Using technology to search for information or read
- Organizing and collecting data
then apply to volunteer directly with the resource centre through the Grand River Hospital Foundation Volunteer Application (link opens in new window).
Email cancerpatiented@grhosp.on.ca for more information or to review the volunteer job description.
Find the Resource Centre
Physical Location:
3rd Floor of Grand River Regional Cancer Centre
When you walk into the main entrance, turn right and walk down the hall. The Resource Centre is on your left as you make your way down the hall.
Accessible Options:
If you cannot or do not want to visit the resource centre in person you can connect with a volunteer online. You can call or email the resource centre and one of our team members will get back to you with answers.
Hours & Contact Information
Summer Hours: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(closed on weekends and statutory holidays)
Phone: 519-749-4300 ext. 2080
Email: info@jwesleygrahamrc.ca
Please call ahead if you are making a special trip just to visit the resource centre.
Who can use the resource centre?
- Any new, current or past patient
- Friends or family members of patients
- Care partners (someone who is helping you with your health care)
Anyone, no matter where you live, can get a co-branded Kitchener Public Library/Grand River Cancer Centre card when they come to the resource centre. Cards and library access are free.
Start the sign up process by getting your Digital Library Card (opens in new window) today. Bring in your temporary card number to the Resource Centre and a volunteer will give you a permanent, physical library card.
Local residents with active library cards from Kitchener, Waterloo, Region of Waterloo, and Cambridge are also welcome to use the resource centre.
What can you find in the resource centre?
- Books (fiction, non-fiction, large print)
- Cancer related books (community support, nutrition, symptoms, coping, spirituality)
- Pamphlets and printed resources
- Bookable meeting/relaxation space
- Smart TV with Roku streaming
- iPads to borrow*
- A desk-top computer
- Community Artist Wall
- Pathfinders**
- Downloadable books, magazines, music
- Comfortable seating to relax
*Note that Grand River Hospital offers free access to Wi-Fi
**A Pathfinder is a list of information about a cancer topic. The list contains websites, links and other sources of credible information.
Borrowing Rules
If you choose to borrow a book(s) from the J. Wesley Graham Patient & Family Resource Centre we ask that you follow the rules below:
- All items are on temporary loan for a period of 4 weeks
- Books can be renewed once, for another 4 weeks
- A reminder email will be sent to you 72 hours (3 days) before the books are due
- After a period of 8 weeks, if the books are not returned, you will be liable for covering the cost to replace the books
NOTE: All books taken out from the Resource Centre library need to be returned to the GRRCC location. We cannot accept materials from another branch.
Where can I find more books and resources?
Visit Kitchener Public Library's website for more about the resource centre's collections. You can use the KCP website to search for more than just books.
We would like to thank the Patient and Family Advisory Council of GRH’s cancer program for their advocacy in support of the Resource Centre. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our generous community donors to the Grand River Hospital Foundation (opens in new window) for their donations and financial support.
