Moloka'i Cancer Survivors attend Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat

The Maui Cancer Wellness Retreat was held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on September 20-22 for 20 cancer survivors from Maui and four from Moloka'i.  The theme of the Retreat, "Teaching Wellness to Heal Cancer from the Inside Out,"  provided evidence-based information and tools to heal from within and to transform their lives to better levels of wellness and health.  

"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 a board certified Lifestyle Medicine physician, Dr. Irminne Van Dyken, who is also a trauma surgeon on Maui.  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.  "A healing wellness retreat at the amazingly beautiful Napili Kai.  From the moment of arrival, we were immersed in a compassionate, mentoring and scientific group of presenters and participants," said Vashti Ferretti of East Moloka'i.  

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.     Experiential learning sessions included qi qong, yoga, meditation, art therapy, proprioceptive writing, healing through humor, massage therapy, skin care and beauty makeovers.  Alicia Bicoy shared. "Having quality uninterrupted time to my normal routine and issues to focus on amazing information and people related to surviving cancer" captured the thoughts of many of the participants.  

Maui Cancer Wellness Retreats will be announcing retreats for 2020 that will be available to Moloka'i cancer survivors.  For more information, visit www.mauicancerwellnessretreats.org.