The Art of Living - Life Beyond Cancer Conference Coming to Boston

BOSTON - Sept. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- ROCKLAND, Mass – For people touched by cancer, the journey to wellness isn’t traveled on a smooth super-highway where milestone markers are clear and definite, but rather on a bumpy country road full of unexpected twists and turns. The third annual The Art of Living –  Life Beyond Cancer conference (http://friendsofmel.org/conference/) will help survivors and their caregivers navigate the road to healing with a day of workshops and discussions on real issues that impact recovery. Hosted by the Friends of Mel Foundation, a non-profit organization that has raised more than $3 million for cancer research, patient support and education, the conference will be held on Sat., Nov. 2, 2013, at the Marriott Hotel in Quincy, Mass. Registration is $25 (http://friendsofmel.org/conference/).

The Art of Living – Life Beyond Cancer conference provides a forum for people to frankly discuss heartfelt, often unspoken, concerns with experts and others who have been down a similar path.  For some survivors and caregivers, the feelings of depression, fear and sadness they experience upon diagnosis become pervasive and psychologically debilitating, even after successful treatment. “Distress,” once dismissed by the medical community, is a new area of focus in the cancer patient-support field and the topic of the day’s keynote speech by Mitch Golant, PhD and senior vice president of strategic initiatives at Cancer Support Community.  Golant will discuss the impact of distress on patient quality of life and the good news about how research in the field is paving the way for meaningful change in treating the whole patient.

“The goal of the conference is to empower, recharge and — most importantly — equip people to live life beyond cancer,” said Pauline Alighieri, executive director, Friends of Mel Foundation. “At The Art of Living – Life Beyond Cancer conference, survivors will learn that they are not alone, that there is a community who shares their experience.”

The day’s 16 skill-building seminars will be facilitated by experts from across the U.S. and Canada. Presentations will provide practical techniques for tackling issues like brain fog, weight management and getting back into the job market. Others will take the veil off some of the toughest issues of cancer survivorship, such as regaining connection with your partner, concerns about body image, living without fear, dealing with the cost of treatment, and thinking through the legacy you will leave your family.  For a complete list of the day’s workshops, please visit the Friends of Mel Foundation conference website (http://friendsofmel.org/conference/).

“This conference is so important because it gives cancer survivors an opportunity to discuss the reality of survivorship.  The ‘dirty little secret’ is that while most survivors are doing well, they’re also struggling with issues that are a direct result of their cancer journey.  A conference like this honors this reality by acknowledging their concerns and offers them the tools to overcome them,” said Richard Boyajian, RN,MS, ANP, Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Based in Rockland, Mass., the Friends of Mel Foundation’s mission is to provide quality cancer care for the whole patient by funding cancer research, education and support.  The organization’s goal is to fund creative and promising projects that impact patient care at both the grass root and institutional levels. The Friends of Mel Foundation was created to honor the memory of Mel Simmons, a Massachusetts-resident who lost her five-year battle with breast cancer, by empowering people touched by cancer.

WHAT: THE ART OF LIVING - LIFE BEYOND CANCER CONFERENCE
WHEN: Saturday, November 2, 8:00AM – 4:00PM
WHERE: Marriott Hotel, Quincy, Massachusetts
COST: $25; which includes breakfast and lunch. Parking at the hotel is complimentary.
NOTE: Please, no children under 13

To register and learn more about the conference, visit http://www.friendsofmel.org