January 13, 2005
Cancer Retreat Planned For Patients And Families
The Quad City Cancer Education Consortium is offering “Caring for Self, Caring for Others,” their bi-annual Cancer Get Away Weekend, Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Holiday Inn, Moline. The event begins with registration at 5 p.m. on Feb. 11 and concludes at 4 p.m., Feb. 12.
The Get Away Weekend is for cancer survivors, people in treatment, their family members, caregivers and friends. This unique event focuses on survivorship issues and gives participants the opportunity to share, listen, learn, grow and meet others who understand the cancer experience.
Husband and wife keynote speakers Bobbi de Cordova-Hanks and her husband Jerry Hanks have fought on the cancer battlefield for almost two decades. Bobbi is a survivor of two metastatic cancers and Jerry is a three-time caregiver.
When lightning struck twice in the life of Jerry Hanks, he gained a unique insight into survivorship from a caregiver’s perspective. He reflects on his experience of losing one wife to cancer and subsequently marrying Bobbi, who received a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer. Jerry never dreamed he would someday find himself on the speakers’ circuit sharing his thoughts and hopes with others.
In addition to the keynote address, the weekend offers participants a time to learn more about cancer and its treatment options, deal with the feelings that surface, gain new coping skills, and meet others who are going through similar situations.
“Coming to terms with a diagnosis of cancer demands difficult choices for the entire family,” said Pat Christy, Cancer Program Manager at Genesis Cancer Center and Co-Chair of the Get Away Weekend Committee. “It is the mind-body-spirit-emotions of the patient and family that require our attention and resources. This year's weekend experience will promote education and healing for patients/survivors and those who care about them."
Health topics covered throughout the weekend include family dynamics and cancer, talking with your doctor, treatment side effects, nutrition, Reiki therapy and aromatherapy. Children’s activities are also planned throughout the day Saturday, including The CART (Community Art Resource Tank), sign language basics, Acting 101 and Tae Kwon Do basics.
“The weekend is a mini-retreat for patients and their families,” said Carolene Robinson, oncology clinical nurse specialist at Trinity Cancer Center and co-chair of the Get Away Weekend Committee. “We have a wonderful keynote speaker, health topics geared for cancer patients and lots of wonderful activities for children. The whole intent is to offer a relaxing weekend to discover ways to effectively live with cancer.”
Cost is $85 per room (up to four people) and includes meals and lodging. The Moline Holiday Inn features the Holidome recreation area with two indoor swimming pools, whirlpool, sauna, exercise equipment, and miniature golf. Some scholarships are available and pre-registration is required.
Deadline for sign-up is Feb. 1. For more information or to register, please call a Genesis On Call nurse at 421-2000; toll-free at 1-800-383-2575 or Trinity My Nurse at 779-2000; toll-free at 1-877-242-8899.
