What began as a community vision in the late 1990s has grown into a supportive home-away-from-home for women travelling to Edmonton for cancer treatment. The following timeline offers a snapshot of the people, milestones, and moments that helped shape Sorrentino’s Compassion House and Compassion House Foundation over the years.
1996
Community leaders and volunteers – Betty Carlson, Debra Kerr, Gisele McMillan and Elexis Schloss – produce the first Fashion with Compassion show to raise funds for the Alberta Breast Cancer Foundation
1998
The Fashion with Compassion Committee develop a vision of providing accommodation and support in Edmonton for women with breast cancer from Northern Alberta. With the blessing of the Alberta Breast Cancer Foundation, the Compassion House Foundation is established in February 1998
1999
The Compassion House Foundation is incorporated as a non-profit society with a mission to bring the House to reality.
2001
After more than a year of consultation and fundraising, the Key to Compassion Capital Campaign is launched. By September, construction begins on the facility.
2002
In September, the doors are officially opened with five guests suites, and the first guest is welcomed. The facility is named Sorrentino’s Compassion House in recognition of the leadership support of the Rago and Saccomanno families and their Sorrentino’s group of companies.
2005
Sorrentino’s Compassion House welcomes its 100th guest.
2006
The Foundation begins minor renovations to better utilize space within the facility by changing the Oborowsky Quite Room into another guest suite; bringing it to six suites. In May, Sorrentino’s Compassion House welcomes its 150th guest. October marks the 10th anniversary of Fashion with Compassion – The Perfect Ten.
2007
The Foundation extends support to former guests in partnership with Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada through the first guest retreat and reunion in Slave Lake with 27 attendees.
2008
Compassion House Foundation partners again with Willow Canada to offer the second annual retreat for former guest. 35 former guests attend the spring retreat in Grande Prairie.
2009
Beyond our Four Walls, an online forum for former guests to connect is launched.
2010
A feasibility study for the potential expansion of Sorrentino’s Compassion House is completed. In June, the Board unanimously decide to move forward with the expansion. In December, Sorrentino’s Compassion House welcomes its 500th guest.
2011
Growing Compassion, the campaign to expand Sorrentino’s Compassion House, begins. Final renderings for the expanded House are completed by Stantec, and general contractors Cormode & Dickson begin the building consultation process.
The Eldon and Anne Foote Fund at Edmonton Community Foundation make a lead gift of $1 Million. The expansion is named the Anne Foote Wing.
2012
The expansion campaign is in full swing. In September, the houses next door are demolished and construction begins. Proceeds from Syncrude presents Fashion with Compassion are directed to Growing Compassion.
2013
In February, Guests and staff move out of the House so the expansion can be linked to existing house. Staff set up temporary offices at Nordic Mechanical. The Government of Alberta’s Community Facility Enhancement Program grants $750,000 to the expansion. The House is re-classified from residential to commercial.
On September 9th, the newly expanded and renovated Sorrentino’s Compassion House re-opens, now with 15 guest suites, and welcomes in the first guest. By year-end, the Growing Compassion campaign is complete, surpassing the $1.5 million fundraising goal.
2014
In May, Compassion House Foundation hosts a grand opening celebration.
2016
In March, Sorrentino’s Compassion House welcomes its 1000th guest. The Board adopts a new vision, mission, and values for Compassion House Foundation. The expanded vision speaks to easing the distress of cancer for women. Fashion with Compassion celebrates 20 years with a concert performed by Brett Kissel.
2017
The Ambassador program begins and a Survivor Conference is held in September.
2018
WeCan workshops are held in Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Edson and Lloydminster. To further expand accommodation space, the former live-in-manager suite in the basement is converted to a large guest suite, bringing the House to 16 suites, and a 24/7 staffing model begins to provide better service to guests.
2019
WeCan workshops take place in Edmonton and at the River Cree Resort. Sorrentino’s Compassion House welcomes its 1500th guest.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic happens, and health restrictions are issued. Staff work from home except housekeeping and guest services. The shuttle van program at the Cross Cancer is suspended and Guest Services staff take on role of driving.
During the year, two virtual WeCan workshops take place and later the first Inspiring Speaker series happens virtually. In November, Compassion Connects, an online resource for cancer patients, launches.
2021
The first peer-to-peer fundraiser takes place, named Walk Her Way 5K. In October, Fashion with Compassion happens virtually and turns 25 years. The Heal our Wheels campaign happens to replace the van.
2022
Compassion House Foundation receives a $1 million donation pledge from a donor (Liam Burgess).
2023
Sorrentino’s Compassion House welcomes its 2000th guest. The guest entrance door is renovated to be wheelchair accessibility. Continuing Compassion event is held at the Royal Glenora to reconnect with historic supporters.
2025
A new peer-to-peer pickleball fundraiser named Smashin’ for Compassion is launched. Compassion House celebrates Sayler Reins 20th anniversary by throwing a party at the House.
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