CANCER CONNECTION is a 'drop-in' center that offers programs and support free of charge to individuals living with a cancer diagnosis and their families. We encourage you to attend as many programs as you would like. Pre-registration is helpful but not mandatory. Please call 413-586-1642.

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.

Our support groups are funded by Rays of Hope A walk toward the Cure of Breast Cancer, Sailing for Success: Melanoma Awareness, Research and Support, the M. Patricia Cronin Foundation, the United Way of Franklin County and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

All Cancer, A group for people with all types of cancer facilitated by Deborah Burkhalter, LICSW.

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 Cancer Support Group, This group is led by Vivien Weiss, LHMC.

Caregivers and Families, A support group for families and caregivers of people with cancer, facilitated by Vivien Weiss, LHMC.

Lymphedema, A group for persons with all types of lymphedema, facilitated by Kit Langdon. Call Kathryn McArthur 584-4076.

Our support groups are funded by the AnJeL Fund of RSF Social Finance, Rays of Hope, Sailing for Success: Melanoma Awareness, Research and Support, The Frank Stanley Beveridge Foundation, the M.Patricia Cronin Foundation and Patrick-Murray Inaugural Committee.

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. 9:30-2, Weds. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Drop in!

10 WEEK PROGRAMS beginning the week of March 3rd unless otherwise noted.

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.

Aqua Aerobics with Craig Collins
Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:30-6:15 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.

Spirit of the Written Word with Pam Roberts
Tuesday: 2-4 p.m.
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.

Danskinetics with Robin Diamond
Tuesdays, 4:15-5:15 pm
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 DansKinectics Instructor, a volunteer for Hospice and Road to Recovery. She teaches classes at ServiceNet, Arbors, Center for Extended Care and An Whalen Apartments. Her mother is a 14-year ovarian cancer survivor.

Painting for Joy with Lucy Mueller Young
Wednesdays, 10:30-noon
Lucy Mueller Young, an art therapist, believes art to be a healing therapy and invites cancer survivors and their caretakers 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.

Gentle Restorative Yoga with Mary Ann Kelly
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45 pm
A mindful approach to yoga for added strength, flexibility and balance along with relaxation and meditative techniques. For all levels. May Ann Kelly is a certified yoga instructor. Reiki Master, Reflexologist. She has a private practice in relaxation therapy using Reiki and Reflexology in Northampton.

Introduction to Pilates with Rosalie Peri
Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Feel stronger, increase your regular day to day function and your ability to move more freely with less discomfort. Doctors' 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 Xenic Foundation.

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS by Appointment Please call 586-1642 by 2 p.m. the day before to schedule. Individual sessions funded by Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Rays of Hope.

Professional skin care with Jennifer des Cognets
Appointments Monday and Thursday and Saturdays by appointment
Come put yourself in the caring hands of Jennifer who has a background in oncology, emergency care and home care.

Ear Acupuncture with Barbara Weinberg, Lic., Ac., RN
Tuesday afternoons
Join us for individual 45 minutes sessions for relief from stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia on Tuesday between 2-5 p.m. by appointment. Tese private session take place on a table and include a check-in.

Reflexology with Mary Ann Kelly
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. It helps to strengthen the immune system, increase circulation and restore calm. Mary Ann Kelly is a certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master.

Reiki with Nancy Carter-Price or Karen Olander Friday mornings
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 offer private individual Reiki sessions on alternate Fridays.

Massage Therapy with Ann G. Wetherbee
Friday afternoons
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.

Monthly Reiki Nights:
Mondays: April 21, June 30 and Thursdays: May 29, and July 31
Pre-registration is helpful, but not mandatory. Reiki is an excellent complement to conventional medical treatment and/or psychotherapy. Experience this gentle but powerful method of relaxation and stress reduction with our phenomenal reiki practitioners. A team of reiki practitioners will be available for individuals and family members. Drop in anytime between 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Individual Reiki Appointments
Fridays
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. Call Cancer Connection, 586-1642 for appointments. Funded by Rays of Hope.

Our Reiki Team

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, and the women offer private individual Reiki sessions on alternate Fridays. They also teach Reiki to cancer patients, their caregivers, and others throughout the Pioneer Valley.

All of the programs and sessions above are funded by