Below are the new Cancer Retreat Information Flyer and Brochure. Please share with friends and health care providers!
Metastatic Breast Cancer One Day Retreat Application — RETREAT FULL
Saturday, May 18, 2019
9:30am to 5:00pm
This retreat is designed to empower those living with Metastatic Breast Cancer to make life-affirming changes by providing tools and knowledge in a safe and caring community of others facing a similar diagnosis.
During the retreat, you will experience:
*A respite from the stresses of daily life with a cancer diagnosis
*Gentle, therapeutic yoga and meditation
*Delicious, whole foods, health-supportive lunch and
*An education session about eating with cancer
*A creativity session to tap into greater self-understanding in the face of cancer
*A community of other individuals who have shared experiences
Who: This retreat is designed for women who have been diagnosed with Stage IV/Metastatic breast cancer.
Cost: FREE, thanks to the generous support of the GW Cancer Center.
The retreat is now full. Please contact erin@smithcenter.org with any questions.
If you are interested in attending one of our upcoming retreats, please fill out and submit the following online application. Your responses will be kept confidential and only shared with the retreat staff. If you prefer, we can also send you a copy of the form to be completed offline and submitted – please contact retreats@smithcenter.org if interested.
**NOTE: This form does not allow you to save your progress, so we recommend completing in one sitting or writing your answers in a word document and pasting them into this form below.
Call for Artists, Musicians, Poets, Storytellers
Artists in Residence Program
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and the Inova Life with Cancer program are pleased to announce the development of the Smith Center Artists in Residence Program as part of the Arts and Integrative Healing Program to be created for the new Inova Schar Cancer Institute scheduled to open in March 2019 in Fairfax, VA.
As an expansion of the already existing Life with Cancer counseling, education and wellness programs, the Artists in Residence Program (AIR) will train and supervise local artists to work directly with patients, caregivers and clinicians to create opportunities for stress reduction, self-awareness and self-expression in the Institute’s outpatient infusion, radiation, and waiting areas. The AIR Program is one component of a comprehensive arts and integrative healing program at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute that will also include a permanent art collection and ongoing exhibitions, performing arts events, culinary arts and other workshops, as well as survivorship resources and wellness education for the public.
Smith Center, in collaboration with Life with Cancer, will recruit, train and supervise visual artists, storytellers, poets and writers, musicians, and dancers to inspire and encourage all those who visit or work at the ISCI to participate in arts-based activities. Through Smith Center’s partnership with the Inova Life with Cancer Program and Inova Schar Cancer Institute, Smith Center artists will have oversight by clinical professionals, including licensed therapists and registered arts therapists, to receive ongoing training and supervision as members of the unique team and culture comprising the Institute.
Interested artists should:
1. Submit an application to Smith Center – the online AIR Application Guidelines can be found at HERE or contact Scott Stoner scott@smithcenter.org (202) 483-8600.
2. Plan to attend an AIR Orientation Session (9:30-11:30am) on one of the following dates: Thursday, September 27 , Saturday, October 6, Friday, October 19 or Saturday, October 20. [Applicants will be notified of location for the orientation sessions.]
The AIR Program reflects the belief that the creative spirit can be found in all of us and can be especially helpful when the human spirit is in need. For over two decades, Smith Center has worked with professional artists to integrate their creative process as a tool and strategy to help others strengthen and sustain their healing process. Smith Center artists in residence have described their work in cancer institutes and with patients and staff in other clinical settings as one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of their lives.
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Smith Center for Healing and the Arts is a nonprofit health, education, and arts organization in Washington DC. Our mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes for people affected by cancer. Our programs focus on cultivating each person’s innate ability to heal, helping participants explore meaning and maintain hope—even in the face of life’s challenges. We welcome you to join us for programs, visit us at our U Street Center and Art Gallery, or contact us to learn more: 1632 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202) 483-8600.
Inova Life with Cancer’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing education, information, and support. This includes providing wellness and educational programs to cancer patients (of all ages) and their families both during and after treatment. Inova remains committed to Life with Cancer, ensuring this program delivers care to address the complex needs facing cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. Contact us to learn more about programs, services, and groups: 8411 Pennell Street, Fairfax, VA 22031 (703) 206-5433.
Inova Schar Cancer Institute is an international center for advanced cancer care and research. Collaborating with clinical and scientific partners, we conduct genomic and translational research to better understand, predict, prevent, and eliminate cancer. Our personalized health approach enables us to create individualized treatments and preventive analytics to predict illness for every unique individual and family we provide care.
Changes at the Gallery: A Letter from the Executive Director
Here at Smith Center we are proud of the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery. Due to funding, we have recently had to make some changes to the gallery including transitioning the Gallery Director position. After three years as Gallery Director, Spencer Dormitzer has moved on to a new role in the art community. We will miss his creative talent and ability to pull together deeply impactful shows.
We plan to continue producing exhibitions that are of the high quality and deep healing that Smith Center has become known for throughout the community and beyond.
We are making strategic changes to the gallery and will bring it into even closer alignment with all of Smith Center’s programs. 
Long-time board member of the Smith Center Myrtis Bedolla will act as a consultant, to help oversee the direction of future exhibitions and programs. Ms. Bedolla has over 30 years of experience as an advisor to individual collectors and public and private institutions in the acquisition and sale of fine art; and provides professional curatorial services, lectures and educational programming to corporate, civic and arts organizations. We will also welcome a new gallery coordinator in July, Lindsey Yancich.
Additionally, we have a new partnership with Life with Cancer to co-develop a robust Integrated Art and Healing program at the new Inova Schar Cancer Institute on the grounds of the old Exon Mobil World Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition to helping create a permanent art collection for their new space and a Smith Center Artist in Residence program, we are opening a second Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery onsite there next year with the opening of the new hospital.
So, while things are changing, we are continuing to grow and will continue our dedication to the deep healing that can be found through the arts. With this new direction, we are hoping to deepen our alignment with the art community, people who utilize our programs, and ensure that our exhibits and programs are thought provoking and restorative. I hope you will join me in my excitement for this next chapter.
Our current exhibition The Healing Studio Series features the work of Judith Capen and the late Alex Todorovich. It tells the story of life, death, pain and healing through the eyes of two courageous women and their creative force. Please stop in and view this powerful exhibition. And while visiting, please say hello. I always love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Bires
Executive Director
Artists in Residence Program
Co-created by
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
and Life with Cancer at Inova Schar Cancer Center for Inova Health Systems
at the
Inova Schar Cancer Institute
Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and the Inova Life with Cancer program are pleased to announce the development of the Smith Center Artists in Residence Program as part of the Integrative Arts and Healing Program to be created for the new Inova Schar Cancer Institute scheduled to open in March 2019.
The Artists in Residence Program (AIR) will train and supervise local artists to work directly with patients, caregivers and clinicians to create opportunities for stress reduction, self-awareness and self-expression in the Institute’s outpatient infusion, radiation, and waiting areas. The AIR Program is one component of a comprehensive integrative arts and healing program that will also include a permanent art collection and ongoing exhibitions, performing arts events, culinary arts and other workshops, as well as survivorship resources and wellness education for the public – all of which support the Institute’s core mission and philosophy to provide patient-centered care.
In collaboration with the Life with Cancer program at the Inova Schar Center for Inova Health Systems, Smith Center will recruit, train and supervise visual artists, storytellers, poets and writers, musicians, and dancers to inspire and make it possible for all who visit or work at the Institute to participate in arts-based activities. The AIR Program reflects the belief that the creative spirit can be found in all of us and can be especially helpful when the human spirit is in need.
For over two decades, Smith Center has worked with professional artists to integrate their creative process as a tool and strategy to help others strengthen and sustain their healing process. Smith Center artists in residence have described their work in cancer institutes and with patients and staff in other clinical settings as one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of their lives. Patients and caregivers who participate often express great relief from pain and anxiety associated with their illness. Most especially, they are grateful for the opportunity to discover and explore what they Can do, when otherwise feeling inhibited or confined by their current situation.
Through Smith Center’s partnership with the Inova Schar Life with Cancer Program, Smith Center artists will have access to clinical professionals, including registered arts therapists, to receive ongoing training and supervision as members of the unique team and culture comprising the Institute.
For more information or to apply to become an Artist in Residence at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, view our Application Guidelines or contact Scott Stoner at scott@smithcenter.org or (202) 483-8600.
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Smith Center for Healing and the Arts is a nonprofit health, education, and arts organization in Washington DC. Our mission is to develop and promote healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes for people affected by cancer. Our programs focus on cultivating each person’s innate ability to heal, helping participants explore meaning and maintain hope—even in the face of life’s challenges. We welcome you to join us for programs, visit us at our U Street Center and Art Gallery, or contact us to learn more: 1632 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (202) 483-8600, www.smithcenter.org.
Life with Cancer at Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing education, information, and support. This includes providing wellness and educational programs to cancer patients and their families both during and after treatment. Inova remains committed to Life with Cancer, ensuring this program delivers care to address the complex needs facing cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones. Contact us to learn more about programs, services, and groups: 8411 Pennell Street, Fairfax, VA 22031 (703) 206-5433, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Retreat Reunion Celebrates Alumni
On June 3rd, 2018 Smith Center hosted our first retreat reunion, “Reconnect and Reaching Out”, welcoming back over 60 alumni and staff. The event, held at the home of alumnus Tina Cleland, brought together past participants of our Cancer Help Retreats from over 20 years to celebrate our continued healing, reconnect with each other and the Center, and hear of our plans for retreats moving forward.
Many wonderful memories were shared by guests, illustrating the powerful and long-lasting impact retreats have had on people’s lives. And guests were encouraged to share their secrets of what has supported them in their healing over the years, which you can find HERE.
Thanks to our generous alum and friends of Smith Center, the reunion added over $15,000 to the Shanti Norris Cancer Retreat Fund, dedicated to supporting our retreats. Learn more about upcoming retreats HERE.
The enthusiasm for the event has inspired us to offer more reunions, so we hope to see you at future celebrations!
Retreat Reunion Event Information & Directions
Directions
The event is located at the home of Retreat alumna, Tina Cleland
9506 Culver Street, Kensington, MD 20895
The venue is ADA accessible. Street parking is available.
More information on Kensington, MD
METRO: The venue is close to the Medical Center, Grosvenor, and Bethesda Red Line Metro stations. From the station, it is a quick trip via Uber or Lift.
We will also have volunteers available to drive people from the Medical Center metro station to Tina’s house.
To request a pickup from the metro, please email DeAnne Nehra at Rdan89@aol.com by May 29, 2018.
Accommodations
There are a number of hotels in Kensington, Bethesda, and Silver Spring that are nearby.
If you are coming in from out of town and would like to request a place to stay with a local Cancer Retreat alum, please email DeAnne Nehra at Rdan89@aol.com by May 1, 2018. to request a placement. Spaces available are dependent on how many local Cancer Retreat alums volunteer to host. We cannot guarantee accommodation space will be available.
If you are a local Cancer Retreat alum and would like to volunteer to host a Cancer Retreat Alum from out of town please email DeAnne Nehra at Rdan89@aol.com to volunteer your home.
Cancer Retreat Companion Application
If you are interested in attending one of our upcoming retreats with your friend or loved one, please fill out and submit the following online application. Your responses will be kept confidential and only shared with the retreat staff. If you prefer, we can also send you a copy of the form to be completed offline and submitted – please contact retreats@smithcenter.org if interested.
**NOTE: This form does not allow you to save your progress, so we recommend completing in one sitting or writing your answers in a word document and pasting them into this form below. Click here for a complete list of questions.
If you are a Cancer Survivor interested in attending the retreat, please fill out this form instead.
Cancer Retreat Application
If you are interested in attending one of our upcoming retreats, please fill out and submit the following online application. Your responses will be kept confidential and only shared with the retreat staff. If you prefer, we can also send you a copy of the form to be completed offline and submitted – please contact retreats@smithcenter.org if interested.
**NOTE: This form does not allow you to save your progress, so we recommend completing in one sitting or writing your answers in a word document and pasting them into this form below. Click here for a complete list of questions.
If you are interested in having a caregiver, partner, or companion attend with you, please have them fill out the Companion Application form.
Meet Kiamsha Leeke
Listen to the interview with Kiamsha Leeke here or read transcripts below.
A donation to Smith Center provides programs like Cancer Support Group & Retreats for people facing cancer in our community.
