The Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat was held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on September 20-22 for cancer survivors from Maui and Molokai. The three day journey began with a Hawaiian Opening Ceremony officiated by Rev. John Hau'oli Tomoso from Kahului. "Teaching Wellness to Heal Cancer from the Inside Out" was the Retreat theme attended by twenty-one cancer survivors who all received scholarships to participate. The Retreat led by healthcare professionals provided up-to-date evidence-based information and tools to heal from within and to transform their lives to better levels of wellness and health. Napili resident Rhett Ferguson said, "The gathering allowed us, the attendees, to concentrate on learning while sharing love, compassion and understanding as it related to our personal journeys."
"The MCWR program is specifically designed to teach skills to meet difficult challenges, create effective problem solving/resilience strategies, work to eliminate suffering, improve the physical, emotional, and spiritual quality of their lives and clarify their goals for the future they desire" stated Dr. Bridget Bongaard, Director of the Maui-based non-profit organization. "We look forward to starting healing circles to bring our alumni back into community and support each other as their journey continues"
Key presenters included board certified Lifestyle Medicine physician, Dr. Irminne Van Dyken," who is also a trauma surgeon on Maui. Patrick Brault, a participant from Pukalani said, "Dr. Irminne Van Dyken's presentation was totally relevant information across the board to anyone who has cancer." In her presentation, she spoke on "How to Restore the Physical Body to Heal" which highlighted the importance of diet, nutrition, physical activity and the dangers of tobacco use and stress.
Wendy MacDonald, an international Integrative Clinical Hynopsis practitioner, guided participants in techniques to develop their self awareness by tapping into intuition and to create a more resilient spirit to promote healing. " The Retreat really affected my way of thinking. I felt stronger and want to be a better person," said Debbie Lenny of Kahana. Dr. Cyndi Levine, a clinical psychologist who has practiced in the psycho-oncology field, worked with the participants on their transformation process and setting their personal goals. "The cancer wellness retreat has enabled me to have a more positive outlook on the journey that I must take" as shared by another participant, Lopaka. Experiential learning sessions included qi qong, yoga, meditation, art therapy, proprioceptive writing, healing through humor, massage therapy, skin care and beauty makeovers.
"Spending time with great teachers and fellow cancer survivors, standing together and supporting each other" stated Ben Massenburg, summarized the general feedback from the participants of Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat this year. A Closing Ceremony by Rev. Tomoso charged the cancer survivors to move forward in their healing journey. "No one fights alone" was never more evident than during the Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat" said Rhett Ferguson.
