A Weekend Retreat for Young Adult Cancer Survivors
NaCoMe Conference Center in Centerville, Tenn
NASHVILLE, TENN. (January 11, 2008) — The idea of a retreat evokes images of idyllic settings, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Add to that a magical springtime weekend of red buds and dogwood, music, storytelling, laughter, art, rowdy moments, and team building, and you have the Fourth Annual Young Adult Cancer Survivor Retreat, sponsored and hosted by The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. Young adults, ages 20 – 35, will once again have the opportunity to spend a weekend with peers who are living with or have lived with the same battle—cancer.
The 2008 Young Adult Cancer Survivor Retreat will be held April 11 - 13 at NaCoMe Conference Center in Centerville, Tenn. Next Step, a national cancer retreat planning organization committed to camp and retreat programs for young adults with cancer and blood diseases, will be facilitating the weekend program. The retreat is free of charge, except transportation costs, to young adult cancer survivors from any location and at any stage of survivorship.
“Finally ... I found a place where people can relate ... others who are my age, share a similar story,” says one retreat attendee. “We are able to laugh together, but also talk about the ‘hard stuff’ associated with cancer. It is a time filled with emotions and memories that are everlasting.”
The young adults will be immersed in a weekend of fun, education, and support, including a variety of activities, workshops and guest speakers. An “Ask the Expert” panel will feature oncology professionals who will discuss cancer and genetics as well as the long-term effects of a cancer diagnosis.
“This group retreat allows young adults an opportunity to spend an energetic, informative weekend with peers who share a similar story,” says Susan Gregory, MSW, oncology social worker at The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. “It is our hope that the retreat will meet some of the unique needs among these young survivors.”
The retreat coincides with National Young Adult Cancer Survivor Week, April 7 - 11. The activities of this week of advocacy seek to educate the public about the unique clinical and psychosocial needs of young adults with cancer while expanding and strengthening support networks for patients and their loved ones. Programs such as the Young Adult Cancer Survivor Retreat focus primarily on building peer support in order to lessen the feelings of isolation and alienation during any phase of cancer survivorship.
Funding and support for the retreat is provided by:
The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation/Young Professionals’ Board
Tennessee Oncology Group, LLC
The Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network
Planet Cancer
American Cancer Society
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Gilda’s Club
Leukemia/Lymphoma Society
I’m Too Young For This!
Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition
Association of Oncology Social Workers
Next Step
The Phillips Foundation
Pfizer
Center for Reproductive Health
Contact susan@minniepearl.org or adele@minniepearl.org
or call (615)467-1936.
Download the application here.
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