Two survivors of cancer diagnosis moving forward.

Healing in the Midst of a Cancer Journey

Two people navigating a difficult conversation about treatment.

What is Survivorship?
Why should I take charge?

Designed with the needs and passions of adolescent and young adult survivors in mind, Taking Charge of Your Survivorship aims to inspire through stories of fellow survivors and tips about wellbeing that aren’t always talked about in regular medical visits. Discover how you can live with & beyond diagnosis & treatment.

A series for adults living with a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers

What is the Healing in the Midst of a Cancer Journey series?

Each week of this series will explore topics related to the unique and individual challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Whether you are undergoing cancer treatment yourself – or caring for a loved one who is – this series will create space for you to reflect on the impact of this journey on your mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

Watch the Series

Week 1: Impacts of a Cancer Diagnosis

This session will provide an overview of whole person wellbeing, and will introduce mindfulness as a tool for enhancing it. We will also discuss mental health symptoms and diagnoses commonly experienced by people with cancer and their family caregivers. You will have an opportunity to explore and validate your own individual experiences through private reflection, and will receive mental health resources to empower you on your wellbeing journey. 

Anne Blaes.

Anne Blaes, MD - Medical Oncologist

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Kaia Verich.

Kaia Verich, RN, BAN, OCN - Nurse Clinician, Oncology

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Week 2: Exploring Difficult Mental & Emotional States

In our first week, the unique experiences of a cancer journey and the impact it can have on mental health were discussed. This week’s session will dive deeper and explore difficult mental & emotional states associated with a cancer diagnosis. The perspective of the person living with a cancer diagnosis, the perspective of the caregiver, and the shared experience will be explored. 

Lucy Reinhardt.

Lucy Reinhardt, PA-C - Physician Assistant, Oncology

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Chance York.

Chance York - Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor

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Week 3: Taking a Strengths-Based Approach

The focus of the final two sessions will be to offer hope and empowerment. We will provide education and resources for taking charge of your journey, regaining your sense of self, and aligning with your purpose. We’ll close with mindful intentionality and clarity around the next steps of your healing journey.

Chance York.

Chance York - Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor

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Week 4: Grief & Suffering

This session will explore grief, anticipatory grief, and the pain and suffering that they bring. Whether you are grieving a loved one or the life you always imagined, finite and ambiguous loss are two of the most challenging emotional states to live in. They come with a depth of pain and suffering that most of society either does not understand or is not willing to engage in. Finding a safe space for grieving is challenging, but imperative. In addition to exploring grief, we will explore resources for finding this critical support. 

Tenzin Namdul.

Tenzin Namdul, TMD, PhD - Director, Tibetan Healing Initiative Program

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Allison Breininger.

Allison Breininger - Creator, The Negative Space

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Week 5: Relationships & Community

Receiving a serious diagnosis, or caregiving for someone who has received one, can make you feel exiled from the life you once knew. Finding individuals and communities that honor your lived experience can be very helpful. In this session, the power of relationships and the value of community in healing will be explored. 

Katherine Todd.

Katherine Todd, DNP, RN, MBA - Executive Director, Gilda’s Club

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Center for Spirituality and Healing Logo.

Mindful Heart Reflection with Mariann Johnson - Bakken Center Mindfulness and Wellbeing Instructor (audio-only)

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Week 6: Tools for Healing: Creating a Path Forward

The focus of the final two sessions will be to offer hope and empowerment. We will provide education and resources for taking charge of your journey, regaining your sense of self, and aligning with your purpose. We’ll close with mindful intentionality and clarity around the next steps of your healing journey.

Ruth Bachman.

Ruth Bachman - Cancer Survivor and Author of "Growing Through the Narrow Spots"

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Illustrative drawing of various houseplants.

How can Integrative Therapies support my life after cancer diagnosis?

Integrative therapies are person-centered and will often vary to meet individual needs – mind, body, and spirit. While many integrative therapies are provided by skilled practitioners, individuals should also take an active role in educating themselves about safety and use so therapies can be practiced independently and incorporated into daily living.

Take Charge of Your Survivorship

Explore more resources for how to navigate life after a challenging diagnosis from integrative therapies, transitions, caregiver resources & more.

Made possible with support from the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, the Earl E. Bakker Center for Spirituality & Healing and the Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundation.