Events

Just ‘Cause 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk
On May 14-16th, a dedicated group of 43 women walked in the 8^th Annual Just ‘Cause Breast Cancer Walk. Just ‘Cause gives 100% of the money raised to the Healing Garden and The Gillette Center at MGH. Thus far, the 2010 walk has raised $85,772 for the Healing Garden. To learn more about this year's walk or to make a donation, please visit http://www.healinggarden.net/ and click on Just ‘Cause or call Lana at 978.456.3532.

Natural Stone Patio Workshop
Gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts will find this workshop informative with hands-on experience while working to create a new patio for the Healing Garden. Sponsored by The Underground, a local non-profit of dedicated landscape professionals. Saturday, July 24 from 9-3 pm. Call to register.

Summer Solstice Celebration
Our gardens surround us with beauty, comfort, and new life. On this day we gather to give thanks for this very specialplace that provides the space for our healing. This is a time to remember our friends who have died, and to rededicate ourselves to living fully. Monday, June 21 from 4-5:30 pm. This event is open to all who wish to attend and features live music and refreshments. Please RSVP.

Meet the Artist--Jan Gilbert
Nationally-recognized artist Jan Gilbert mines memory, loss, and transition through painting, printmaking, and photography. Diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in the summer of 1999, she has created some thoughtful pieces titled “Offerings” which express some elements of her healing process. This is an intimate opportunity to meet a remarkable artist. Date/Time TBA.

Programs
All client programs require pre-registration; please call 978.456.3532

Mary Aframe—The Women's Image Center
Face summer with color and confidence as Mary Aframe from The Women's Image Center brings many of her new summer products (camisoles, swimsuits, light scarves, and compression fittings) for display and discussion. Wednesday, May 5 from 11:30 – 12:30 pm. Call to register.

Finding the Still Place: Meditation and Drumming
An opportunity to quiet the mind, release tension, and open your heart. Open to all, at any point in the journey of living with breast cancer. Drums appreciated but not required. Offered by Fran Booth, LICSW and Jane Gossard on Wednesday, May 19 from 4:30-6 pm. Call to register.

Writing the Healing Journey
Join us to write your healing journey through breast cancer, as we make meaning and find value from the illness experience. Relaxation and writing exercises help participants process emotions and attitudes. Begin or learn ways to maintain a writing practice. Facilitated by Dana Snyder-Grant, LICSW. Wednesdays, June 2 and 9 from 12:30-2 pm. Call to register.

Towards Healing Shyness
Like cancer, overcoming shyness is not for the feeble-minded and there are no simple answers. Shy people know that, but few others, and that is why client Helen Rivas-Rose spent nine years writing her memoir, Brave, a Memoir of Overcoming Shyness. Twenty-four days after finishing it, she was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. In gratitude for the HG, Helen would like to share her knowledge of overcoming shyness for anyone interested. July 14 from 1-2:30 pm.

Look Good and Feel Better
Look Good…Feel Better is a program sponsored by the American Cancer Society to help individuals with cancer look good and manage treatment and recovery with greater confidence. Joy DiMaggio, a Healing Garden client shares her expertise in cosmetics and fashion to help manage personal care issues. Each participant receives a bag of complimentary products to take home. Wednesday, June 16 from 3-5 pm. Call to register.

Exercise and Breast Cancer Recovery
Research shows that a return to well being is facilitated by moderate and regular exercise. This discussion is geared to those who want to start or return to exercise but also have special needs or concerns post surgery and retreatment. Facilitated by Pam Turci, LMT and Diane Ouellette, RN, CLMTA on Wednesday, June 9 from 4-5:30 pm. Call to register.

Creating a Stress Reduction Tool Box
Start gathering or adding to your own collection of stress reduction techniques to create a "toolbox" you can draw from during times of stress, including cancer treatments and tests. Marilyn will introduce a variety of techniques from acupressure, visualization and Reiki meditation. Facilitated by Marilyn Brine Gilmour, MSW, LICSW. Saturday, May 22 from 12:30-4 pm. Call to register.

Art Exploration
Come on any of these scheduled “drop-in” times, to enjoy the creative spirit of independent art exploration. Materials and guidance will be provided by Candace Anderson. You may choose to pursue your own artistic ideas, complete projects from other classes, or seek individualized instruction. Call to register by the Thursday prior to the class. Sundays, 2 to 4 pm.: May 23, June 27, and July 11.

Life Weaving
Use fibers, twigs, and found objects to create symbolic life weavings.Facilitator: Candace Anderson. Sundays, 11am. to 1 pm: May 23, June 27, July 11. Call to register.

Silk Window Hanging
Create a silk panel to hang in your window. Add colorful images, healing messages, and adornments. Materials provided. Facilitator: Candace Anderson, on Tuesdays, 6 to 8 pm.: May 18, May 25, June 1. Call to register.

Beads of Healing
Create paper beads with hidden well-wishes and mantras, to hang on a necklace along with antique glass beads. Materials provided. Facilitator: Candace Anderson. Thursdays, 4 to 6 pm.: July 8, 15, and 22. Call to register.

Meditation and Imagery
Meditation and guided imagery offer people living with stress and illness an important tool in the promotion of health and well-being. Drawing on the natural ability of the body to heal, you will learn and practice a variety of mind-body techniques. Offered by Fran Booth, LICSW on June 23 from 4-5:30 pm. Call to register.

Morning Mindfulness
Consider joining this drop-in opportunity to explore quiet and mindful meditation in a group setting. Spend 45 minutes sitting quietly, following a brief introduction. This group will be coordinated by Katherine Lee and Julie Seavy, with the invitation to other facilitators as well. Thursday mornings from 8-9 am, beginning June 3.

Evenings of Restorative Yoga
We work so hard in our lives and with the added stress of a serious illness the body is drained of reserves. Restorative Yoga poses work with the gentle support of bolsters and blankets, to allow your body to surrender to gravity and rest. Offered by Katherine Lee, LMT, RPP on May 20 and July 15 from 7-8:30 pm. $10/class. Call to register.

Morning Yoga
Cultivate a sense of well-being and personal peace by learning traditional postures to reclaim flexibility and strength. All postures can be modified to accommodate individual progress. Offered by Katherine Lee, LMT, RPP on Thursday mornings 9:30- 10:45. $40 for a 4 week series, sliding scale available. Call to register.

Core Integration Movement
A gentle way to have more comfortable movement, greater flexibility, and improved posture. Suitable for any level of ability. Facilitated by Pam Turci, LMT, on Tuesday mornings from 9-10 am. A 5 week session beginning May 25, $50 for the series, sliding scale available. Call to register.

Support Groups
Young Women's Support Group
Joan Scialo Rubin, monthly on Thursdays 1-2:30 pm
In Treatment Support
Introductory meeting on May 12^th from 4-5:30 pm
Post Treatment Support Group
Joan Scialo Rubin, monthly on Thursdays 3-4:30 pm
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Marilyn Brine Gilmour, alternate Fridays 1:30-3 pm
Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Elaine Olmstead, alternate Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 pm
Art Support Group: (enrollment is full)
Wednesdays, 6-8 pm: May 19, June 23, July 21
Caregiver Support Group
Karen Campbell, Monday evenings 6-7:30 pm
Starting June 7, call to register.
The Healing Gardeners
Tucker Smith, Monday mornings from 9:30-11 am