In the News
Finding the gift in cancer,
Journal Newspapers, July 1, 2004
Cancer Healing Conference in the Works,
Greenville News, June 22, 2004
Event to focus on cancer recovery by Jane Futcher,
Marin Independent Journal, September 8, 2003
When
your name tag carries more than a name by Marion Franck, Davis Enterprise,
September 23, 2001
Marin Independent Journal
Event to focus on cancer recovery
By Jane Futcher, IJ reporterMonday, September 8, 2003
Author to speak on the disease as a turning point
Pulitzer Prize winner and Bay Area resident Alice Walker will headline a free event in San Rafael this weekend on transforming the devastating effects of cancer into a positive life experience.
"Cancer as a Turning Point: From Surviving to Thriving," will bring to the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium a distinguished line-up of artists and recovery experts who will focus on mental attitudes that "heal from within" and restore a connection to life no matter what the medical diagnosis.
The conference is the 16th Cancer as a Turning Point event organized by Healing Journeys, a Sacramento nonprofit.
"I have heard people say that it saved their life," said the event's founder and breast cancer survivor Jan Adrian, executive director of Healing Journeys. "And when I ask them to tell me more, they say that when they were diagnosed with cancer they thought it was a death sentence and they were dying. They could see people thriving and saw that it doesn't have to be a death sentence."
Adrian said the conference is a great place for cancer survivors to make friends with other survivors and for health care professionals, who may receive continuing education credits for attending, to learn more about healing from within.
"It's not about any treatment method, it's about healing the whole person - body, mind, spirit, emotions- and that you can't work on one without the other," Adrian said.
Lawrence LeShan, the inspiration for the conference and author of "Cancer as a Turning Point," will speak on "Mobilizing Your Healing Potential."
New York Times best-selling writer Susan Chernak McElroy, author of "Animals as Teachers and Healers: True Stories and Reflections," will address the connection between the quality of people's relationships with animals and the current state of their health and well being.
Oakland vocalist and Grammy nominee Linda Tillery will perform with the Cultural Heritage Choir.
Performance artist and breast cancer survivor Nina Wise of San Rafael will combine original theater work and improvisation to present her unique perspective on cancer recovery.
Story teller and author Oriah Mountain Dreamer will talk about "The Call: Discovering Why You Are Here."
Singer, composer, and comedian Karen Drucker will also perform.
Martia Nelson, author of "Coming Home: The Return to True Self" and the coordinator of "Dancing with the Phoenix," one of the largest shows of cancer survivors' art in the country, will be joined by artists from "Dancing with the Phoenix" to demonstrate the healing power of art.
Spanish translation and childcare will be provided. For more information or to register, call 800 423-9882 or visit www.healingjourneys.org.