Help women battling cancer attend a wellness & yoga retreat

Hi, my name is Andrea, and I am a stage IV cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic cervical cancer in August of 2021. I was given 3 months to live over 3 years ago! Throughout my healing journey, I found yoga, meditation, sound baths, and community an integral part of my healing. When I was diagnosed and going through chemotherapy, I remember looking for a place to find rest, reflect, recharge and nurture my emotional healing and mental wellbeing while using gentle movements to feel good in my exhausted and painful body as well. Many retreats were far away and the physical travel requirements and expense were unattainable and others retreats were too physical. Many people experience financial hardships during treatment and often additional expenses (housekeeping, pre-made meals, supplements, travel for treatment, alternative therapies etc), in addition to losing pay due to time off work, increases the stress and worry during this difficult time as well. Because of all of this hardship and the need for a safe, nurturing space for women with cancer to focus on self-care and inner healing, I would love to offer a yoga and wellness retreat to 10 local women to come and rest, reflect, recharge, and heal during a weekend yoga and wellness retreat. This retreat will be located an hour outside of London, Ontario, completely free of charge, where they can experience all the healing they deserve while feeling safe and foster emotional resilience and community among women experiencing similar and sometimes isolating health journeys.

The funds raised would be used for accommodations at a large 4 acre luxury farmland retreat with 2 buildings sufficient to support 10 women and space for yoga, meditation, sound bath, and quiet reflection spaces. It would also cover all food, drinks, and snacks prepared by a local husband and wife team (who has generously offered their services and time for free), materials needed, and gift bags.

Thank you in advance for your support to help provide this retreat for Women with cancer who often face overwhelming physical, emotional, and psychological stress, and their needs for emotional support and personal space are frequently overlooked. Many cannot afford time away, and structured wellness retreats are typically inaccessible due to cost or distance.

This retreat will meet an emotional and spiritual need for participants, offering respite and a sense of empowerment in an otherwise disempowering time. By creating a holistic healing space, the program addresses the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit in healing, which is often neglected in clinical treatment alone.

Thank you for your support.