Please call 617-332-1919 or send an email including your phone number to
RSVP for these programs.

A Walk on the Wild Side
Each week we will take a leisurely-paced walk on different trails that provide wild corridors through Newton and surrounding communities. Along the way we will have opportunities to stop and enjoy the beauty of the scenery and engage in informal field study of the areas we are walking through. Participants should wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the day’s weather condition and bring a small daypack to carry water, bug repellent, sun protection, as well as any necessary extra layers of clothing. RSVP is required and individuals are welcome to come to one or all scheduled walks. Outings are two hours in length to allow additional time for carpooling to and from different locations and for plenty of rest stops on our walk. Facilitator Ruth Rohde is a social worker, nature writer, mother, and outdoor leader who is wild about spending time exploring and writing in the outdoors.
Thursdays, September 1st through October 27th from10:00AM to 12:30PM
RSVP for Series or for specific dates.

Seeds of Hope, Blossoms of Meaning
Susan Bauer-Wu, DNSc, RN, continues to offer this monthly program which offers a blend of expressive and creative therapies, mindfulness meditation, gentle body movement and authentic dialogue. Join the group for self- exploration and connection with others in the context of providing an opportunity to heal and to feel whole in the cancer journey.
Thursday, August 11th from 6:30 to 8:30 - RSVP

Clarity and Creativity for Healing
Mindfulness, meditation, gentle body movement, writing, poetry, and creative expression are skillfully combined in this group to promote mental clarity, relaxation and feeling whole throughout the cancer
journey. Facilitated by Susan Bauer-Wu, DNSc, RN, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who has extensive experience leading groups and conducting research using mind-body therapies for cancer patients.
Thursday, September 8th and October 27th from 6:30 to 8:30PM - RSVP

Living in the Light of Dying
What does it mean to receive a diagnosis of cancer and then use that diagnosis to deepen our relationship to life? We will explore together what it means to live with a life threatening illness through the use of conversation with one another, poetry, journal writing, guided imagery/visualization and meditation exercises. Join Claire Willis, LICSW for this series.
Tuesday, September 13th, 20th, 27th & October 11th 5:00 to 6:30PM - RSVP for series

Lymphoma Awareness Day

• Mindfullness with Elana Rosenbaum. Elana is adjunct faculty at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare and Society, founder of Mindful Living and co-founder of Retreats to Renew (12:00 to 1:00PM).
• Energetic Well Being Process with LeRoy Malouf, Certified Yuen Method Practitioner and Instructor and an Applied Behavioral Scientist (3:00 to 5:00PM).
• Stem Cell Research and Lymphoma with Heather Fleming, PhD, Research Fellow, Scadden Lab, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School (7:00 to 8:30PM).
  Thursday, September 15th from 12:00 to 8:30PM - RSVP

True Story Theatre
Experience unique theater where true stories are brought to life. Audience members describe important moments in their lives, and the actors act them out in the moment, seeking to honor each person who chooses to share. It’s a special and creative way to come together in a community: www.truestorytheater.org
Tuesday, September 20th from 7:00 to 9:00PM - RSVP

Lesbian Couples Group
The diagnosis of cancer can be a shattering experience not only to the patient but to the partnership as well. Through various dyadic exercises, conversation and journal writing, we will discuss strategies for using these stressful times to deepen intimacy and increase support for one another. Claire Willis, LICSW, is a group facilitator at The Wellness Community. Claire's partner Caroline Marvin, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist. Both Claire and Caroline are also faculty members at the Family Institute of Cambridge.
Thursday, September 22nd, 29th & October 6th from 7:00 to 9:00PM - RSVP

Wellness Retreat: Contemplative Practices for Daily Living
This day long retreat will be held in a quiet setting overlooking a marsh and conservation land in Concord, Massachusetts. We will practice strategies for managing daily life with cancer, including some of the following (depending on the weather) journal writing, art work, nature and/or a labyrinth walk, yoga, guided imagery and meditation. The retreat will be led by Claire Willis, LICSW a Wellness Community facilitator/yoga/writing/meditation teacher.
Thursday, September 22nd from 9:30AM to 3:30PM - RSVP

Patient Active Guide to Living with Ovarian Cancer
Ursula Matulonis, MD, Director, Medical Gynecologic Oncology, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School will discuss the current understanding of ovarian cancer and the latest developments in treatment. All attendees will receive copies of TWC's "Patient Active Guide to Living With Ovarian Cancer."
Thursday, September 29th from 6:30 to 8:30PM - RSVP

After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger
Dr. Julie Silver is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and the Medical Director of the Spaulding-Framingham Outpatient Center. In 2003, shortly after receiving one of the prestigious Ten Outstanding Young Leaders awards by the Boston Jaycees, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following her recovery, Dr. Silver took her rehabilitative training that focuses on physical healing after serious illness or injury and applied it to the field of oncology. This year she began a program at her center called RESTORE (Recovering Energy and Strength Through Oncology Rehabilitation Excellence) which is a multi-disciplinary program that focuses on physical healing. Dr. Silver is the author of many trade books for the public and textbooks for healthcare professionals. Her latest book, After Cancer Treatment: Heal Faster, Better, Stronger is in press.
Thursday, October 6th from 6:30 to 8:30PM: RSVP

Return to Wellness (This program is made possible by a grant from the Helen Weisberg Fund.)
A free 8-week program for women who have recently completed treatment for breast cancer, integrating educational workshops, support group discussion, strength training and yoga. This program is designed to help women recover from the emotional and physical effects of breast cancer treatment together with other women who are also in recovery. The program is offered in collaboration with Spaulding Rehab Center in Framingham. There will be two sessions a week, one at Spaulding and one at The Wellness Community.

Educational presentations will address: Long term follow-up, Appropriate Exercise, Understanding and Treating Lymphedema, Nutrition, Managing Fatigue, Managing Pain, Mind-Body Approaches to Managing Stress and Understanding Hormone Therapy.
16 sessions, beginning Monday, October 10th from 6:00 to 8:00PM
Please RSVP ~ Class size is limited!

Introduction to Mindfulness
In this three–part series, you will learn the basic techniques for breathing, focus and meditation to cope with stress, pain or illness. The series can be an introduction for newcomers to the practice or a refresher course for those who have taken meditation or mindfulness before. Instructor Gretchen Daggett is Kripalu-certified and has been trained in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction at UMASS Medical Center.
Wednesday, October 12th, 19th & 26th 10:00AM to 12:00PM - RSVP for series

Multiple Myeloma: Bone Marrow Transplant & Kyphoplasty
The Multiple Myeloma group welcomes special guest speaker Kathleen Colson, RN, BSN, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Saturday, October 15th from 10:00AM to 12:00PM - RSVP

Beyond Survival: Creating a More Fulfilling Life after Cancer
Having cancer is a transformative experience for many. It can bring changes in our bodies, our emotions, our beliefs, our aspirations, and our relationships. Although each individual's cancer experience is unique, many face fear as well as discover an enhanced appreciation for life. Fear and gratitude are great motivators. From this place, it is easier to see what really matters.

Life coaching offers the tools and perspectives to help fulfill your deepest aspirations. This 8-week group helps you crystallize your true purpose and begin designing a plan for living authentically and fully! Each participant will explore his or her lessons from the cancer experience and set personal goals and strategies for sustaining oneself through a time of change. This group is for those who are beyond regular medical treatments and who can commit to attending the eight week workshop. The sessions will be led by nine-year cancer survivor and certified life coach, Tracy Fitzpatrick, MS, CAGS, CPCC.
Monday, October 17th through December 5th 10:00AM to 12:00PM: RSVP for series of 8 meetings

Look Good...Feel Better
For an evening of fun, join stylists coordinated by the American Cancer Society to learn how to use make-up, turbans, scarves, and wigs to enhance physical appearance during cancer treatment. Limited to 12 participants who are actively in treatment.
Monday, October 17th from 5:30 to 7:30PM - RSVP w/skin tone

Poetry, Community and the Flourishing Heart
The making of poems is a way to express your uniqueness and find common ground with others. By establishing a safe environment marked by trust, empathy, non-judgment and honesty, poet John Fox creates a space in which each participant can take risks and express themselves in new ways. A light dinner will be provided.
Thursday, October 20th from 5:00 to 9:00PM - RSVP by 10/14

Poetic Medicine: The Healing Art of Poem Making
We will read poems by inspiring poets and explore writing exercises that tune us to a variety of experiences, including: the poetry of earth and spirit, a life of feeling and relationship, the playfulness and power of language, a sense of community, the blessing of common things. With the guidance of poet John Fox, we will explore how stillness and empathic listening deepen the act of writing. Lunch will be provided.
Saturday, October 22nd from 9:00AM to 1:00PM - RSVP by 10/14

Breast Cancer and the Environment
With lifetime breast cancer rates now reaching 1 in 7, hardly anyone remains untouched by this disease. When combined, all known risk factors for breast cancer account for less than half of cases. A majority remain unexplained. Kathleen Attfield, Research Assistant at Silent Spring Institute will discuss compelling evidence linking environmental factors and breast cancer, the recent research of the Institute on Cape Cod, and how concerned citizens can become involved to protect women's health.
Tuesday, October 25 from 6:30 to 8:00PM - RSVP

Understanding and Managing Lymphedema
In this workshop, Dr. Loren Borud will discuss the causes of lymphedema, symptoms to watch for, and approaches to treatment. Dr. Borud is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Borud has been working to develop clinical and basic science projects to investigate lymphedema. He is currently in the process of founding a lymphedema clinic here in Boston.
Thursday, October 27th from 6:30 to 8:00PM - RSVP

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