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How can this therapeutic cancer recovery program benefit me?
How many women participate in the therapeutic cancer recovery program?
How can I get to the therapeutic cancer recovery program if I am not able to drive?
What if my cancer prognosis is not good? Am I still a “cancer survivor”?
Is the therapeutic cancer recovery program for breast cancer survivors only?
Are most participants still in recovery, or are they long-term survivors?
What are the age ranges of participants?
I am ready to move on from cancer. Isn’t the theme of the weekend going to be “cancer”?
What are the sleeping arrangements?
What type of food is available, and where is it served?
My cancer treatment has cost our family so much. I really can’t afford the registration fee.
Are there programs or activities available other than three-day therapeutic cancer recovery programs for women?
How can this therapeutic cancer recovery program benefit me?
At a Healing Odyssey therapeutic cancer recovery program, it’s all about you. Our goal is to meet the individual needs of each woman. Regardless of your prognosis, type of cancer, or life situation, we will provide you with practical tools to help you cope effectively with your challenges so you can keep moving forward with your life.
You will have fun and escape the pressures of everyday life in a serene environment, have new experiences, feel the positive energy of group support from women who understand, and make new friends. You will laugh, and cry, and leave “different.” You will return home refreshed, and reenergized with renewed strength and a sense of purpose. Perhaps most importantly, your experiences at the therapeutic cancer recovery program will remain with you, and benefit you, long after the weekend has ended
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How many women participate in the therapeutic cancer recovery program?
At each therapeutic cancer recovery program there are 30 participants. Led by an oncology nurse specialist and an oncology social worker, a staff of 10 to 14 volunteers, made up of nurses, therapists, and specially trained camp counselors and activities staff—many of whom are cancer survivors provide a medically safe and psychologically supportive environment.
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How can I get to the therapeutic cancer recovery program if I am not able to drive?
When you register, everyone is encouraged to carpool to the therapeutic cancer recovery program. Carpools facilitate friendships and assist those who are not able to drive. Any person needing assistance will receive it.
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What if my cancer prognosis is not good? Am I still a “cancer survivor?”
We are survivors from the moment of our diagnosis, regardless of the prognosis or the outcome, and every survivor lives with the possibility of recurrence. Healing Odyssey assists every woman with cancer with whatever challenges she is facing. Each person makes the decision to attend based on her own needs. However, you will need your doctor’s release to attend, and our cancer professionals will consult with you if you have special needs. You need to be able to provide basic care for yourself throughout the weekend; we will assist in any way we can to ensure a successful experience.
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Is the therapeutic cancer recovery program for breast cancer survivors only?
No. Healing Odyssey reaches out to women with all forms of cancer. While the majority of our participants have had breast cancer, women with all forms of cancer attend.
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Are most participants still in recovery, or are they long-term survivors?
While the make-up of each therapeutic cancer recovery program is slightly different, typically, some women are still actively in treatment, most are survivors of between one to five years, and some are long-term survivors. Survivorship is a continuum with no closure; we face different issues at different times.
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What are the age ranges of participants?
Typically, some participants are in their 20’s and 30’s, some are in their 60’s and 70’s. Most participants are somewhere in the middle range. The average age is typically about 48. Healing Odyssey works with other cancer organizations and agencies to encourage participation by women of all ages, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Three-day therapeutic cancer recovery programs are conducted in English We offer one-day therapeutic cancer recovery programs for Spanish-speaking women, called Iluminación.
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I am ready to move on from cancer. Isn’t the theme of the weekend going to be “cancer”?
While cancer is the common thread that brings participants to the therapeutic cancer recovery program, what bonds us is the qualities we share—strength, humor, wisdom, kindness and supportiveness. Our goal is to help survivors’ transition away from their cancer experience, and back into living well.
The focus of the weekend is you---the exploration of your emotional, psychological and spiritual healing, the release of your fears, and the acquisition of tools that will enable you to move forward with your life.
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What are the sleeping arrangements?
Participants and staff are housed in dormitories, which fosters new friendships, support and fun. Dorms are simple and clean. You bring your own blankets and sheets or sleeping bag, and pillows. There are shared bathrooms and hot showers in each dormitory, with privacy doors and curtains. A complete list of things to bring will be given to you in your registration packet.
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What type of food is available, and where is it served?
Participants and staff eat together at communal meals. Food is freshly prepared on-site. It is simple, tasty, plentiful and nutritious. If you have special dietary considerations, let us know at the time of registration; every attempt will be made to accommodate your needs by the camp facility staff.
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How often are therapeutic cancer recovery programs conducted, and how long have you been holding them?
Therapeutic cancer recovery programs are held four times a year, in the spring and fall. Our first therapeutic cancer recovery program was held in May of 2004; since then, nearly 700 women have participated.
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My cancer treatment has cost our family so much. I really can’t afford the registration fee.
If your decision to attend is based on your ability to pay, please consider requesting a partial or full scholarship. As a nonprofit organization, we have funds set aside to assist cancer survivors with financial support. We simply ask that you pay the $25 registration fee as your commitment to attending. All scholarships requests are confidential; only administrative staff works with your request.
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Are there programs or activities available other than three-day therapeutic cancer recovery programs for women?
Yes. We have workshops for cancer survivors and their families, we have a Grad therapeutic cancer recovery program for women who have attended a Healing Odyssey therapeutic cancer recovery program in the past.
We also have an active volunteer group called the Star Network that meets monthly and assists with Healing Odyssey events and activities. This group is productive and fun, and has fostered deep friendships based on unconditional support and understanding.
call us for more information about these programs at (949) 951-3930 Top
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