JACKSONVILLE — Forest Moon: Celebrating Survivorship, a non-denominational non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the emotional recovery of cancer survivors and their families and friends throughout rural New England, is pleased to announce their annual Couples' Weekend Renewal Retreat for individuals with cancer and their partners/spouses.
The Couples' Weekend Renewal Retreat will take place from 5 p.m. on Fri., April 20 to 1 p.m. on Sun., April 22 at The Mellos Retreat Center in Jacksonville. During the retreat, participants will be introduced to mind/body activities that reduce stress while increasing hope and strength. Activities will include outdoor recreation, writing, relaxation exercises, creative arts, yoga, and free time.
In a peaceful setting, couples will have a special opportunity to reflect on living in balance with cancer. The retreat costs $50 per couple, which includes nutritious meals and private rooms, and is limited to six couples (financial assistance available). The retreat is partially sponsored by the Vermont/New Hampshire Komen for the Cure Affiliate.
Facilitators of the weekend retreat are Ellen Fein and Bob Buckley. Fein is a licensed clinical social worker, registered yoga teacher, and cancer survivor. Combining mind/body techniques, counseling, coaching, and yoga, she works as a cancer coach in central Vermont supporting individuals whose lives are touched by cancer.
Also a licensed clinical social worker, Buckley was Director of Consultation, Education and Training for 21 years at the Community Mental Health Center in Alexandria, Va. Since 1996, Buckley has been a senior faculty member and clinical supervisor with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. Trained in Critical Incident Stress Management, he has worked with survivors and emergency personnel from Kosovo to New Orleans.
Registration by April 1 is required. To register for the Couples' Weekend Renewal Retreat, contact Pam Roberts at 413-625-2402 or [email protected].
Founded in January 2004 by local cancer survivors, Forest Moon: Celebrating Survivorship is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to develop and deliver free/low-cost support programs that provide cancer survivors and their loved ones with emotional and spiritual support. Forest Moon offers full-day, overnight, and weekly support programs in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts. Further information about the organization is available at www.forestmoon.org and on Facebook.