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2010 Programs at Cancer Connection
Cancer Connection offers programs and
support free of charge for men, women and children living with a cancer diagnosis, their families and friends. You are welcome to attend as many programs as you would like .
Please call 586-1642 to register or for more information.
All programs are held, unless noted, at Cancer Connection at 269 Locust Street in Florence. Our entrance is on Route 9 at the corner of Straw Avenue.
Office hours are Mon.-Thurs. 10-2, Weds. 10 a.m.-noon. Drop in!
Support Groups at Cancer Connection
Sharing feelings and fears with others who understand helps reduce stress. Call 413-586-1642 to confirm time and place of all meetings.
All Cancer…
A group for people with all types of cancer.
The Florence group is facilitated by Deborah Burkhalter, LICSW.
The Amherst group is facilitated by Pierre Zimmerman.
Living with Breast Cancer…
This support group is facilitated by Katherine Walsh, MSW, PhD.
Melanoma Support Group…
Pat Riggs, MSW, LICSW leads this group of men and women who have experienced melanoma.
Men Living With Cancer…
This group is facilitated by Diedrick Snoek, PhD.
Ovarian & Gynecologic Cancer Support Group…
This group is led by Vivien Weiss, LMHC.
Caregivers and Families…
A support group for families and caregivers of people with cancer, facilitated by Vivien Weiss, LMHC.
Bereavement…
A support group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Vivien Weiss, LMHCC is the facilitator. If you would like to be contacted about a future group, please call us at 586-1642. We can also refer you to other community resources for bereavement counseling.
Lymphedema…
Lymphedema (localized fluid retention and swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system) is a side effect of some cancer treatments. Join Katherine MacArthur and Kit Langdon to learn ways to cope.
Lending Library
Cancer Connection maintains a library of books, CDs and tapes for participants to borrow along with lists of Internet resources. Learn about cancer diagnoses, testing and treatment, side effects of treatment and coping with recurrence. There are books about spirituality, the emotional impact of cancer on patients and their families, strategies for survivorship, suggestions for explaining cancer to children, nutrition, exercise and complementary therapies. Find autobiographies and novels, poetry collections and inspirational works. Participants are welcome to borrow music and narrative CDs and tapes to help meditate, to soothe anxiety and to promote positive thinking.
Spring PROGRAMS begin the week of March 1st, 2010
Knitting with Wendy Sinton
Mondays, 2-4 p.m.
Knitting can be meditative, relaxing and a lot of fun. Come learn how to knit and purl at your own pace. No experience necessary -- all levels welcome. Please bring needles size 6-8 and a ball of medium weight (worsted) yarn. Wendy Sinton teaches knitting to children and adults and has 30 years of knitting experience.
Laughter is the Best Medicine with Jerry Caruso,
actor and comedian
Friday, March 19 5:30 to 6:30
Laughter has numerous health benefits and with Jerry's clean family humor laughter is contagious. Come have a good laugh or two. It's a step toward healthier living.
Being at Peace with Dying,
with Pierre Zimmerman, MS
Saturday, February 27, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Learn relationship-centered care, including specific guidelines for "being present" with dying. Discuss ways to transform fear into acceptance and to foster gratitude and openness. Pierre is a cancer survivor with training and experience in pastoral counseling, therapeutic support group leadership, Way of Council, meditation and mindfulness.
Printmaking for Teens
Coping with a family member
with cancer.
Dates and times to be determined.
Having a family member who is dealing with a potentially life-threatening illness compounds the ordinary challenges of adolescence. Join us for time to experiment, play with art materials and enjoy the creative, healing company of others.
Fly Fishing with John Sinton of Trout Unlimited
Saturday, May 8, 10:00am to 3:00pm at Look Park
Cancer survivors are invited to discover the joys of fly fishing with the help of a group of fly fishing volunteers from local Trout Unlimited chapters. Learn about the equipment, casting, catching and releasing. Lunch will be provided.
Body Wisdom with Donna Brooks
Saturday, April 3 and 10 & May 1 and May 8
10:30am to 12:30pm
Develop poise, balance and strength, emotional resiliency and physical endurance while living with a debilitating illness, physical limitations or heightended stress. Donna Brooks is a dancer and Yoga teacher. She has in-depth experience with the somatic arts.
Couples Nurturing Each Other through Cancer
with Mary Ann Kelly , Reiki Master & Reflexologist
Nancy Carter-Price, Reiki Master
Sunday, April 18
10:30am to 2:30pm
Couples will learn how to reduce stress, nurture and soothe themsleves and each other emotionally and physically in non-sexual ways, using techniques such as Reiki, Reflexology, breathing techniques and self-massage. Please bring your own lunch.
Aqua Aerobics with Craig Collins
Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Classes held at the Clarke School pool.
Low impact, gentle stretching in warm water. Flotation devices provided. Participants do not need to know how to swim or get their heads wet! Craig R. Collins is a Certified Aquatic Professional and owner of the Valley Swim School.
Lap Swim with Craig Collins
Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Held at the Clarke School pool.
Spirit of the Written Word
with Pam Roberts
Saturday April 17 & 24
Come and experience the transformational power of writing. In a safe and supportive environment we will use writing as a healing tool and as a means of connecting with ourselves and others. No writing experience is necessary. Pam Roberts is a writer and breast cancer survivor who has found deep meaning in writing about her experiences with cancer.
Music & Movement
with Robin Diamond
Fridays, 11:00 to noon
Warm up with stretching and breathing exercises, dance with gently guided movements, learn simple yoga postures, cool down with a relaxing meditation. this class accommodates everyone, no dance or yoga experience required. Robin Diamond, MSN, is a Certified Kripalu DansKinetics Instructor, a volunteer for Hospice and Road to Recovery. She teaches classes at ServiceNet, The Arbors Center for Extended Care and the Whalen Apartments. Her mother is a 14-year ovarian cancer survivor.
Painting for Joy, etc.
with Lucy Mueller Young
Wednesdays, 10:00-noon
Lucy Mueller Young, an art therapist, believes art to be a healing therapy and invites cancer survivors and their caregivers to come and have fun experimenting with paint and color. No expectations or experience necessary. Easy parking and accessible. Held at The Studio, 71 Washington St., Northampton. Funded by Art Angels of Community Foundation of Western MA.
Introduction to Pilates
with Rosalie Peri
Saturdays, 9 am
Feel stronger, increase your regular day to day function and your ability to move more freely with less discomfort. Doctor’s permission to exercise required at first class. Rosalie Peri, RN, is a certified Level II Pilates mat certified teacher in addition to being a certified personal trainer and Fitness Director at the Northampton Athletic Club and Adjunct Faculty at Smith College. Funded by Xeric Foundation.
COMPLEMENTARY
THERAPY SESSIONS
INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS by Appointment.
Please call 586-1642 to schedule.
Therapeutic Facials with
Jennifer des Cognets
Appointments Mondays and Tuesdays
Come put yourself in the caring hands of Jennifer who has a background in oncology, emergency care and home care.
Ear Acupuncture
with Nancy Lustgarten, Lic., Ac., RN
Appointments Thursday mornings
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art. Endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and traditionally a preventive medicine, it continues to be used by over one-third of the world’s population as primary medicine.
Acupuncture works by balancing the vital life energy present in all living beings. This energy, called Qi (or Chi), circulates throughout the body in channels, or meridians, in daily and seasonal cycles that reflect nature’s principles of balance and harmony. Treatment is based on the premise that health is maintained by the free flow of Qi. A block in the flow may cause disease much like a blocked coronary artery may cause heart disease. Illness and symptoms are associated with some imbalance in the flow of Qi. Touching the Qi energy with acupuncture needles is like opening a gate or releasing congested areas, allowing the Qi to once again circulate freely.
Acupuncture is recognized as effective in treating a wide range of medical problems, including, but not limited to: respiratory and digestive disorders; menstrual, reproductive, and menopausal problems; neuromuscular and circulatory problems; anxiety, depression and other psychological disorders; and insomnia. In addition, acupuncture can strengthen the immune system, provide relief from chronic conditions, and promote overall well-being, personal growth and inner strength.
At Cancer Connection, Nancy Lustgarten offers an individual 45-minute an auricular (ear) acupuncture protocol that is effective for anxiety, depression, trauma and high levels of stress. These private sessions take place on a table and include a check-in. Nancy is licensed in acupuncture by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine.
Reflexology
with Mary Ann Kelly
Wednesday mornings & Thursday afternoons
Reflexology is a gentle thumb-pressure technique that stimulates nerve endings in the feet and hands, corresponding to various parts of the body inducing deep relaxation. This soothing massage of the lower legs, feet and hands, combined with Reiki, help strengthen the immune system, activate circulation and restore a state of balance and calm. Mary Ann Kelly is a certified reflexologist and Reiki Master.
 Reiki
with Nancy Carter-Price
Fridays
Reiki is a gentle but powerful hands-on technique that promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and healing. Reiki Master Teachers Nancy Carter-Price and Karen Olander together have more than 15 years of healing experience. Nancy is Team Adviser and Karen is co-facilitator of the Reiki Team for Monthly Reiki Night; they altenate offering private individual Reiki sessions on Friday mornings.
Massage Therapy with Ann G. Wetherbee & Nanci Newton
Fridays
Massage Therapy by skilled licensed therapist Ann G. Wetherbee has many benefits for people with cancer, such as reducing anxiety, easing pain and fatigue, and improving sleep. Physician approval required.
"Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster" ™
with Ann Buscemi, CHT
By Appointment
Ann is certified in therpeutic hypnosis and emotional healing. Following the acclaimed program developed by Peggy Huddleston, Ann's sessions focus on relaxation and visualization techniques which benefit anyone preparing for surgery and can impact all aspects of self-knowledge, healing and self-care.
Monthly Reiki Nights 2010
Wednesday, March 17
Monday, April 19
Wednesday, May 19
Monday, June 21
Wednesday, July 21
No Reiki Night in August
Monday, September 20
Wednesday, October 20
Monday, November 15
Wednesday, December 15
Pre-registration is helpful, but not mandatory. Reiki is an excellent complement to conventional medical treatment and psychotherapy. Experience this gentle but powerful method of relaxation and stress reduction with our phenomenal Reiki practitioners. A team of Reiki practitioners offers Reiki treatments for individuals and family members. Drop in anytime between 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Our Reiki Team
Reiki is a gentle but powerful hands-on technique that promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and healing. Reiki Master Teacher Nancy Carter-Price has many years of healing experience. Nancy is team leader for the Reiki Team for Monthly Reiki Night. She also offers private individual Reiki sessions on Fridays. She also teaches Reiki to cancer patients, their caregivers and others throughout the Pioneer Valley.
 Major funding of our programs and complementary therapies is provided by Rays of Hope.
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