The third annual Enliven Cancer Care Wellness Fair “is a way for our community to come together, share resources, stories, and support which is more important than ever during this isolating pandemic time,” says Allie Chisholm-Smith, board chair at the Enliven Centre for Well-Being in Cancer.
“Enliven has always been focused on reducing the social isolation that can come with a cancer diagnosis and that feels really important now. That isolation is reduced when patients and practitioners share their personal stories and their experiences.”
Presentations will cover a wide variety of topics including grief counselling for children, wills and power of attorney, exercise, patients’ perspectives, and many more. There will be a wide range of speakers from both Huntsville and Bracebridge who are either patients or professionals. The fair will also introduce Enliven’s new executive director, Taude Plexman.
“Last year, I attended the wellness fair only a few months after my cancer surgery. I felt lost and angry. I needed community and I needed to know that life goes on,” said Kathleen May, who will speak at the wellness fair. “This year, I am settling into life as someone who’s experienced cancer. I can’t go back to my life before, so I’m ready to go forward. I want to share elements of my journey that are unusual or not often discussed, to show that every cancer experience is as unique as the person involved. My hope is that no one with cancer ever feels alone or like no one understands. There are people who care, who have been there, who want to help. Enliven is a gift to anyone with cancer and their loved ones. I am honoured to get to share my voice.”
Enliven provides proactive self-care services that educate and support those living with cancer and their caregivers.
“Where a grieving partner may have gone to Gilda’s Club in Barrie to access specific cancer related grief, Enliven can direct them to Hospice Huntsville for grief support or a local therapist,” said Chisholm-Smith. “When a patient is in treatment and struggling, it can be challenging to seek any help outside of the immediate urgency, for either themselves or exhausted caregivers. This might be due to financial constraints—treatments are often expensive—or time. Enliven can offer online programs and local opportunities within reach and free of charge. With cancer rates climbing, it is essential that Muskoka has a resource like Enliven.”
The wellness fair will be held on Friday, May 7 from 1-5 p.m. The event is free. To receive the Zoom link, email [email protected].
For more information about Enliven or to see the event schedule, visit enlivenmuskoka.ca.
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