Everyone is Touched


According to the American Cancer Society,an estimated 1.7 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in 2018.

At any given moment, there are 15.5 million living with a history of cancer. While some of these individuals were recently diagnosed, most were diagnosed many years ago and have no evidence of cancer.

Cancer touches everyone at some point, some time.

"Courage is
grace under pressure"

Mediation Hike offered for Cancer Survivors and Care Givers

By Jack Ganster

Join Survivor’s Outdoor Experience (SOE) for a meditation hike on Tuesday, June 28th at 6 p.m. Gineen Jarnevich will lead a guided walk starting at the Latodami Barn, North Park.

The evening begins with a brief discussion before the hike about the benefits of nature and meditation. Then participants will do some relaxation and breathing before walking slowly and quietly for about 1/2 an hour. Gineen will give occasional reminders to bring people back to the present. There will be time for questions and discussion afterward. Participants should wear walking shoes that they don’t mind getting muddy, and bring whatever keeps them  comfortable-water, hiking poles, etc.

Light snacks will be provided afterwards for those who wish to stay for further discussion and fellowship.

Gineen is a nurse who is also an outdoor enthusiast who has been teaching yoga and mediation for 20 years. “I love bringing the joy and benefits of both to others in the beauty of our local parks,” she said.

Cancer survivors and care givers/support person are welcome to attend. This event is free. Please register in advance by emailing kganster@verizon.net or 412-377-8364. Size of group is limited.

 

SOE is an educational and recreational organization that has created  programs to provide cancer survivors an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of living a healthy and active lifestyle. The program provides informative presentations balanced with recreational activities to assist participants in gaining strength, confidence, and a sense of the future. For more information about SOE visit: www.survivorsoutdoorexperience.org/  

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The Healing Adventure Program Returns

By Jack Ganster

Survivors Outdoor Experience (SOE) will be holding its first local program in three years. This year’s event will be held on May 21st and will mark the 10th Healing Adventure.

“We were preparing to host our 10th Healing Adventure in Pittsburgh in 2020 when COVID came along,” Jack Ganster, SOE Founder and Director said, “And we all know what happened after that. Of course, we didn’t realize it (COVID) would take so long to run its course.”

SOE is an educational and recreational organization that has created programs to provide cancer survivors an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of living a healthy and active lifestyle. The program provides informative presentations balanced with recreational activities to assist participants in gaining strength, confidence, and a sense of the future.

Fortunately, COVID numbers have dropped in the past few months, as well as the severity of the disease, and Ganster and SOE Board Members feel the time is right to bring back their Healing Adventure, this time in the region where SOE was founded. The retreat will be held at Nature Bridge Campus on the shore of beautiful Lake Crescent.

“Folks are ready to move forward. We’ve seen interest and have inquires,” Ganster said.

New for 2022 is a one-day format instead of an entire weekend. “We decided that people would feel more comfortable for now if they weren’t sharing living space overnight,” Ganster said.

The 10th SOE Healing Adventure includes:

  • Who is a Survivor?
  • Sharing our Story
  • Nature’s Prescription
  • The Companion’s Story
  • Self-Advocacy
  • What now? Navigating Forward
  • Healthy/Practical Cooking

Dr. Heath Foxlee, MD, Radiation Oncologist will be presenting for the sixth time. “I love helping with this program. It’s just a wonderful idea to bring folks together to share their stories and to learn more about moving forward,” Foxlee said.

The Healthy Cooking program will finish with a meal. “Food brings us together, sharing a meal is a great way to feel connected,” said Julie Jacobson, chef and presenter, “And so does nature. It’s just perfect to combine all of these elements.”

The program is provided at no cost to participants and their guests. For more information about SOE visit: www.survivorsoutdoorexperience.org/   For more information about the retreat contact Ganster at jhgisjack@yahoo.com or call 360-477-1619.

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"Courage is
grace under pressure"
"I am not what happened to me,
I am what I choose to become"
"The meaning of life
is a life with meaning"
"Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life"
"The healing powers of participating in outdoor activities while exploring the natural world are powerful and profound.

A sense of calm and a feeling of contentment are reached when surrounded by nature."
"Accept how 'not normal' you are, and do your best to become as 'normal' as you can given the circumstances."