With 2019 at an end, it is time to reflect on the busy year of programs we’ve had at the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center. We have continued to offer many complementary therapies and wellness classes including a new Low-Impact Exercise class and a new walking meditation called “Walking Your Way to Mindfulness.” Some new guest speakers have shared a variety of topics including Cooking with Healthy Fats, Bookmaking, Meditation, Safe Solutions for Garden Pest and Disease Problems, and Prostate Cancer Rehab and Recovery. Our monthly cooking classes have been popular with Cas Dowden returning with new recipes to share, always bringing the group into the kitchen and lots of fun to the event.
The biggest focus this past year has been the addition of five new support groups. We are so happy to have the
Open Arms Breast Cancer Support Group come to the center as an extension of their Bangor meetings.
In June, we initiated a unique and innovative Online Cancer Support Group called
“Survivorship: Finding Your Way Forward” offered in four 6-week sessions. This group still has openings for the last session starting in February 2020, so sign up today by calling the Center. After a break, our cancer support group at the Center has begun again as
Safe Harbor Cancer Support Group. The Safe Harbor Group will meet twice a month now, on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.
Two more new groups that evolved after two presentations on prostate cancer, are the
Prostate Cancer Support Group at the Center in Ellsworth, and
The Sunrise Prostate Cancer Support Group in Machias. Providing support groups to cancer patients harkens back to Beth Wright’s original mission of creating a group to help others living with cancer. This continues to be a part of our mission today.
Looking toward with 2020 in the spotlight will be wellness programs to maintain the best health before, during and after cancer treatment. In cooperation with our newest intern we will be working on a nutrition/wellness series with an accent on healthy eating. We look forward to more guest speakers including the first presentation on the Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Patients. Other topics may include naturopathy, lymphedema, myofascial massage and “forest bathing” (forest walking meditation.) Also, keep an eye out for art workshops and the expansion of our wig and head covering service into a special beauty program for cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Another very exciting upcoming event for 2020 is the
20th Anniversary of the Walk For Life
. Check our Save the Date above in this newsletter.
To better serve the needs of our community, we welcome your input. Please contact Amy Kurman at the Center at 207-664-0339 or email her at
akurman@bethwrightcancercenter.org if you have any suggestions or requests for future programs, speakers, workshops or classes.
