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May 18, 2009
Thank you so much to everyone who attended as well as those who supported the Arms Around Arlington wellness event held Saturday, May 9th at the Arlington Heights Nursery School auditorium. The Center would like to especially thank local volunteers who ensured that the event was a total success.
The half-day wellness event began with conversation and breakfast. The Center would like to thank the following local businesses for their contributions: wonderful breakfast breads and cakes from Sweet Sue's Bakery in Arlington, gourmet quiches, fresh coffee from True Grounds Café, and juices donated by Whole Foods.
Mary Lewis Sheehan introduced the 2009 theme, Relationships Build Hope by asking audience members to define hope. Sheehan also shared research from nurse theorist Margaret A. Newman, explaining the importance of hope as a component of consciousness as it relates to health and wellness.
The keynote talk How to Be Lucky: Risk Modification in Common Malignancies by Dr. Keith Stuart of Lahey Clinic debunked many popular misconceptions about cancer, citing a variety of rigorous scientific studies. Dr. Stuart's talk also contained lots of practical suggestions based on known evidence. Dr. Stuart peppered his talk with humorous comments and anecdotes, so it was an absolute hit.
True Story Theater took the stage next and with a highly charged dramatic presentation in their signature playback style based on stories taken from audience members-nurses, cancer survivors and the people that love them. After relaying four stories the audience erupted in appreciative applause.
Next participants broke out into one of four workshops. Kate Ruma, an experienced licensed acupuncturist who practices in Arlington, led an introduction to Chinese medicine and herbology. Eric Volkin, a licensed massage therapist, led a presentation about the benefits of massage in an oncology setting. Julie Kaufmann, a dance instructor, led a course entitled Healthy Steps: Moving you to better health with The Lebed Method where participants learned about how movement and dance can help with cancer treatment recovery. Deb DeMella led an introduction to Polarity Therapy, an advanced type of energy healing that focuses on healing individuals on the emotional, spiritual and physical levels.
To close the event participants "circle'd up" and Mary Lewis Sheehan, the founder and board president of the Center for Cancer Support & Education led the group in an appreciation exercise. Lastly, six lucky winners won a raffle for the following fantastic prizes: a finely crafted earring and necklace set from Una's Boutique, a matching purse and necklace from Artwear, 1 manicure from Happy Nails, a fine wool scarf from Irish Imports, $25 gift certificate from Cheesecake Factory, a complimentary session Edlewess Massage.
On behalf of everyone at the Center I would like to sincerely thank everyone for contributing to the most successful Arms Around Arlington event yet...Arms Around Arlington is better with you!
~Ben Garton
Director of Development
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