Waikato retreat for cancer healing

For immediate release

Waikato retreat for cancer healing

A unique five-day programme to “help people help themselves” heal from cancer will be launched in the Waikato next month by a two-time cancer survivor.

Health Journeys NZ will host the inaugural five-day programme for people battling cancer, Help me to Heal, at Maungatautari Lodge, Cambridge, from 29 July 2007.

Director Jane Currie, who has had breast cancer twice, said the retreat-style programme is endorsed by oncologists and surgeons and “recognises that the cancer journey is a fight for life.”

“Our mission is to assist people to help heal themselves in conjunction with the medical profession.”

“Attending the Help me to Heal programme will help you improve the time it takes to heal from treatment, or place you in the best possible health to start medical treatment if you have been newly diagnosed.”

“We expect people will finish smiling, feeling empowered, more positive and armed with new tools and new friends to help with their cancer battle. I want people to leave with a spring in their step.”

Ms Currie said the live-in programme incorporates the best of conventional and alternative medicine. It includes lectures, group discussion, guest speakers, individual sessions, relaxation time and outings. And support partners are also invited to stay for the last two nights at the luxury lodge.

“Expert healing practitioners will instruct attendees in tools and techniques to boost healing and wellbeing.”

Topics covered over the five days include dealing with grief and stress, nutrition, relaxation techniques and art therapy, with activities including reflexology, reiki, gentle exercise and massage. Participation is not compulsory and the programme can be altered to suit individual needs.

Help me to Heal is endorsed by New Zealand oncologists and cancer surgeons, including Waikato Hospital’s Clinical Director Oncology Jeremy Long, who said it’s a great initiative.

“I wholeheartedly endorse the programme,” he said.

Ms Currie said it’s not a cure or a boot camp for people with cancer.

“It’s about learning the tools and techniques to fight your own personal battle with cancer, and to say: ‘I’ve got cancer not ”cancer’s got me”.

To find out more, including costs, see www.healthjourneys.co.nz. Help me to Heal is the only health profession-integrated cancer retreat currently offered in New Zealand. The second programme is scheduled to begin on 2 September 2007.

ENDS

Experts include: Dr Tom Palfi, , Maureen Trainor, Debra Fraser, Sue Mather (Tauranga), Heather Lever (Cambridge), Viv Batchelor (Cambridge), Margreit van der Oordt, Helen Donnison, Pip Oxlade (Cambridge).

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