WHAT A YEAR 

WOW, what an intense year 2024 was. A bridge between the chaos of 2023 which deeply affected our lives on multiple levels, and the potential for new growth in 2025. "Only in Uncertainty is there Opportunity" to create something you deep down truly desire. The key is to see what change really means to you emotionally, so you can reflect on it, positively reframe it and use different strengths and aspects of yourself to create something amazing for yourself. Many times we are surprised when we do this, to see what we did and how resourceful we were!

Sometimes change is so slow that we  float through it, perhaps even being unaware and wondering...how did I get to this point? Other times it is precipitous and definitely requires all our attention and effort. Change is a challenge that can be mastered with the development of your personal skill set to be able to move forward. Not all change is negative, but all change requires us to evaluate ourselves, be mindful of who we are, our values, and what we want to create with the special gifts we all have been given in the situation given. We also must take time in periods of change to restore ourselves through deliberate self care, good nutrition, and movement of the body to keep it healthy. You are the steward of your own gift, the special gift that is only yours to give. 

Being in Community and sharing ideas as well as resources is critical in this process of developing resilience in the face of challenge. We have overcome a lot this year and now is the time to positively reflect on what you achieved. We at MCR reflect on what we all have done together to make the cancer experience less of a burden and improve the quality of life. 

• We have provided medical navigation to answer your questions and help you make decisions that are right for you,

• Individualized Integrative Oncology consultations to develop personalized care plans for yourself to grow stronger

• Provided 4 Day Treats with opportunities to reflect, share and have fun,

• 4 Cancer Healing Kitchens programs to teach healthy nutrition and cooking skill sets,  

• Outreach to Neighbor Islands sharing our knowledge and programs to our ohana there

• Working to develop a Maui Nui Cancer Hui- a program where community resources can be shared for those on the cancer journey

• Caregiver workshop given to support those who walk with us daily on the journey

• Survivorship weekly zoom meetings to share concerns and feelings and get medical questions answered if needed

• Working with a group to bring a PET/CT scanner here to Maui! The certificate of need was passed by the State of Hawaii the day before Thanksgiving and we hope to have it up and running in 18 to 24 months.

• Development of our Angels on Assignment program to make cancer care bags to ease the way for those going through chemotherapy and or surgery

• Angel Dog Pet Therapy Program- for the infusion centers and also for home visits with trained Therapy Dog Lulu and her wonderful owner, Kelly Bass

• Angels on Assignment Reiki Program -Jenna Keck

• Angels on Assignment - Clyde and Aloha Jim - emergency transport and simple home repair needs

• Research study completed for a new treatment for Chemo Brain, presented at the national meeting for the Society for Integrative Oncology October 2024

• Healing Trauma and Loss workshops 

• Revising the Cancer Journey Guide to a 4 booklet series of what questions to ask, how to organize yourself and keep healthy emotionally and physically

• Monthly Ask the Chef sessions at the Kukui Farmers Market, with Chef Dan Bader, and he is sharing his recipes with you in the Chef's Corner newsletter

• Healing Financial Trauma and recovery strategies offered with Lorri Craig, one of our Angels on Assignment

• Created Aromatherapy for symptom relief: nausea, stress, insomnia, fatigue, and hair loss from chemotherapy

• Made Lei for the infusion center graduates of chemotherapy to celebrate their success

• Awarded grants from local supporters: Atherton Foundation, Bayer, Papa Ola Lokahi, Rotary and 100 Women Who Care, allowing us to expand the services to you, and we thank those of you who made donations to support our mission.