As somebody who supports the Hamsa Wellness Community (HWC), (formerly known as Sharsheret Supports STL) I want to share a few updates from the past three months. Before I tell you what we’ve been up to, I need to thank each of you for your generosity and commitment. Whether it’s by giving of your time, participating in a program, and/or supporting us financially, we greatly appreciate each and every one of you. We couldn’t do this without you.
2nd quarter highlights:
- HWC received $20,000 in grant funding. From the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer, we received funding that was double what we have received in the past and we made a first time ask to the Missouri Baptist Healthcare Foundation and received the entire amount requested.
- Strength Over Cancer is off to a great start. We are coming to the end of our 2nd 11-week offering and we’re already ½ full for the next session. To date, we have taken 23 participants through the program, who were accompanied by 5 buddies.
“This class has helped me push myself in a fun, supportive environment so that my strength and stamina have improved. I feel more confident and will feel more comfortable taking another exercise class in the future.” (class participant)
- We welcomed seven first-time participants in Yoga for Cancer.
“Yoga for Cancer not only helped me to open my body and release much-needed tension and anxiety, but it allowed me to be a part of a new community of people who I have remained close with. It is a safe space and an extremely calming environment to help my mind and body relax.” (class participant)
- We welcomed six new women in our monthly breast and ovarian cancer support group. Something we’ve heard more than once “The support group was excellent and exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”
- On April 4th we hosted “Genetics and Hereditary Cancer: Let’s Learn Together in partnership with Cancer Support community and St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness. The program featured a cancer genetics counselor and a gynecologic oncologist. We had over 60 people register. Here are a few of the responses we received when asked what was the most important learnings for you?
- How testing improved and I should schedule time with a genetic counselor
- The importance of males in my family getting genetic testing
- Following through on genetic testing for lynch syndrome
- Take the genetic test again even though I took it back in 2007.
- We hired and trained a 2nd oncology massage therapist.
- We participated in Wash U’s Breast Cancer SPORES session as a community/patient advocate, and we facilitated a program at Wash U for students trying to navigate college life while supporting a parent diagnosed with cancer from afar.
A glimpse of what lies ahead.
- Lynnie’s Light for Life will take place on Wednesday, Sept 4th.
- Beyond Pink will take place on Sunday, October 27th.
- We are close to confirming a program in partnership with the J’s Book Festival. In a funny and heartfelt memoir, an author will recount losing both parents to cancer and the choices she made to avoid her own diagnosis.
- Continue dialogue with the J’s fitness team to design Strength Over Cancer Part 2 for those who completed the 11-week session and want more. Getting lots of requests.
- Ongoing discussions on ways to make Oncology Massage available at a lower price point. Currently, this is the only HWC offering that has a fee.
As I always say, it takes a village.