This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Kevin Mutschler

in partnership with Tigerlily Foundation

*Please note that by registering for this program, you consent to have your name and email shared with Tigerlily Foundation. Tigerlily only collects this information for data purposes and it will not be shared with any other parties.

This is an all levels introduction to the practice of Qigong. You will learn about the human energy system, also known as the subtle body.

In the tradition of Qigong, we will learn practices to shape and sculpt this system for our highest good in 3 ways:

Purge or clear stagnant energy

Tone or nourish energy to replenish our internal resources

Regulate our energy system

Our practice will include discussion and movement in addition to an energetic transmission and meditation.

Qigong will be hosted Bi-Monthly on Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:00pm ET.

Upcoming Dates:

April 12 & 26
May 10 & 24
June 14 & 28

About Kevin Mutschler, L.AC.

Kevin Mutschler

Kevin is a board-certified acupuncturist (NCCAOM) and Qigong educator with over twenty-five years experience in healing arts practice, research and education, including work in medical anthropology, somatic therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Kevin has special interests in working with patients living with chronic illness, migraine, MS and cancer. He is a Smith Center fellow in Integrative Cancer Care Navigation and is a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C and Rachel Ress, MSW, LICSW

This monthly virtual group is for Stage 1 – 3 Breast Cancer patients and survivors and is open to those newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship. Come join others dealing with the issues and impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis. All meetings are hosted using Zoom. This group is hosted in partnership with Medstar Washington Hospital Center , Cancer Support Community, and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

You can also register for this group by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

The Breast Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 1st Tuesday from 6:00-7:00pm ET.

Upcoming Sessions:

April 11* (new date due to holiday)
May 2
June 6

About Rachel Ress, MSW, LICSW

Rachel is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker serving as Cancer Support Community Washington DC’s (CSC DC) Community Navigator. Prior to working at CSC DC, Rachel was an oncology social worker with the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital for three years. She earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice where she interned at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Rachel uses an eclectic approach in providing support and compassion to cancer patients and their families, and she is passionate about the intersection of chronic illness and mental health.

About Erin Price, LICSW, OSW-C

Erin serves as Smith Center’s Director of Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs. She is trained in Integrative Patient Navigation, a Project LEAD graduate, and holds a Masters in Social Work. A ten-year+ breast cancer survivor, Erin is passionate about providing support and community to other cancer survivors, especially young adults. She works with Smith Center’s DC Young Adult Cancer Community and is also actively involved in the cancer community through the Association of Oncology Social Workers, the Young Survival Coalition, the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN, GW Cancer Center

Nutrition Club is a chance for patients, survivors, caregivers and providers to get together to discuss nutrition topics and learn more about how nutrition can play a role in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. It is hosted and offered in partnership with GW Cancer Center.

For the April meeting, we will be joined by a guest speaker. Michelle Stravitz, CEO and Co-Founder of 2Unstoppable, will join us to discuss the importance of exercise.

Nutrition Club will be hosted Monthly on the 1st Monday from 12-1pm ET.

Upcoming Dates:

April 3
May 1
June 5

About Lauren Powell, RDN, LDN

Lauren Powell

Lauren Powell (RDN, LDN) is a registered dietitian working in the DC area. She has served in many settings including food services, long-term care, rehab facilities, post-surgical, and intensive care units. While working at George Washington University Hospital she found her passion for Oncology Nutrition. She now works as the Dietitian for the GW Cancer Center helping to support the nutrition needs of those undergoing treatment and survivors.

About 2Unstoppable

2Unstoppable is a non-profit whose mission is to encourage and support exercise among women who have had a cancer diagnosis. Free online fitness buddy matching, oncology fitness resources, and community events at www.2unstoppable.org. Please visit https://2unstoppable.org/events/ for a list of upcoming events.

Hello there,

My name is Cherie Sampson. I am a survivor of hereditary breast cancer. During my cancer experience I underwent conventional treatment and surgery along with complementary mind-body healing modalities, representative of the growing field of “integrative oncology.” I attribute the integrative approach as fundamental to my survivorship. I am also an artist and professor of art. I have been creating artistic works about the cancer experience in a project titled, “every.single.one.” In the summer, I will have an exhibition at the Joan Hisaoka Gallery at the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

In the exhibition I would like to include a work that shares others’ experiences with integrative healing modalities in cancer care and management. It will be presented on a touchscreen monitor and interactive in the way patients and practitioners often utilize touchscreens in a medical setting.

I am requesting submissions of stories and anecdotes from you: patients, survivors and and/or caretakers – conveying the ways you engaged with integrative oncology and complementary healing methods in your treatment plan or any point along the trajectory of your cancer path. Those stories could be in the form of texts, videos, images and/or audio. Names will be credited or remain anonymous as per your request.

From the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) website: “Integrative oncology is a patient-centered, evidence-informed field of cancer care that utilizes mind and body practices, natural products, and/or lifestyle modifications from different traditions alongside conventional cancer treatments. Integrative oncology aims to optimize health, quality of life, and clinical outcomes across the cancer care continuum and to empower people to prevent cancer and become active participants before, during, and beyond cancer treatment.”

Prompts for sharing experiences:
In responding you may be as specific or general as you wish – relaying whatever information or part of that experience is comfortable for you to talk about. Share your diagnosis, treatment and where you are in the process. Identify if you worked at any point with any of the following: integrative oncologist, naturopath, mind-body practitioner, nutritionist, etc. and/or continued or started anew a mind-body practice on your own.

Relay your experience with any of the following:

nutrition and food (as medicine)
exercise (& yoga)
walking
mind-body therapies (such as acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy, talk therapy, etc.)
time in nature
gardening
naturopathy
retreats
travel
arts & art therapy
new or continuous learning
pet therapy
breath practice
spiritual practice (meditation, guided imagery, ritual, prayer)
interpersonal connection and community
advocacy & volunteerism

You may submit your stories and anecdotes in the form of the written word/text (Word doc or PDF), images (JPEG, PNG or PDF), video and/or audio files or a combination of these mediums. Please submit your contributions by May 1, 2023.

Please submit your contributions via the secure file sharing platform, We Transfer: https://wetransfer.com/. It is free to transfer files up to 2GB on We Transfer. You may send multiple all at once or upload a folder containing multiple files & documents. In the “We Transfer” box, email sampsonch@missouri.edu.

Thank you in advance for your contributions! If you have any questions, please email me (Cherie Sampson) at sampsonch@missouri.edu. If you prefer to send your contributions simply by email to me, please feel free to do so.

NOTE: This is not a scientific study. It will be collection of stories for the sole purpose of presentation in an artistic format. Submissions with inappropriate content, commercial or promotional purpose and those that make outrageous claims about miraculous cancer “cures” will not be integrated into the piece. Please note that some material from respondents maybe require editing for clarity, length (if A/V) and overall presentation. The integrity of the content will not be compromised.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Sara Richman, LICSW, Heather Roche, RN BSN, and Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

This monthly support group is designed for adult patients/survivors diagnosed with Leukemia or Lymphoma. The group will incorporate education lectures coupled with emotional support.

This group is open to people of all ages (18+) who are at any stage of the disease process.

It is hosted by and offered in partnership with the GW Cancer Center.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Support Group meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 12:30-1:30pm ET.

Upcoming Sessions:

March 28
April 25
May 23
June 27

About Sara Richman, LICSW

Sara Richman, LICSW is a licensed and certified oncology clinical social worker (OSW-C). She received her masters in social work (MSW) at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Prior to working at GW, Sara was an oncology clinical social worker at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where she worked with all types of blood cancers and disorders. She is happy to be a co-facilitator of this group.

About Heather Roche, RN BSN

Heather Roche, RN BSN is an oncology nurse navigator at the GW Cancer Center. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to working at GW, Heather was an oncology nurse coordinator at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where she worked with malignant hematology patients. She is happy to be a co-facilitator of this group.

About Jessica Gelfarb, MSW, LICSW

Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with patients and families facing a range of medical diagnoses in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from University of Michigan and her masters degree in social work from University of Maryland with a focus on clinical and medical social work. Jessica recently joined the team at the George Washington University cancer center as an oncology social worker. Prior to her role at GW Jessica worked extensively with organ transplant patients at Medstar Georgetown Transplant Institute and co-led the institute’s transplant support group. She has also spent time working on cardiology and intensive care units throughout her career. Jessica initially became interested in pursuing oncology social work after attending the Association of Oncology Social Work’s annual conference a number of years ago as well as observing first- hand the widespread impact that cancer has on so many individuals and families. She is passionate about partnering with patients in order to provide psychosocial and emotional support as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Ned O’Hanlan

The loss of a parent from cancer brings with it many complex feelings. Sadness, anger, and regret are just a few of the feelings you may experience. Sometimes friends – and even family members – don’t understand these feelings.

This support group provides a monthly opportunity to join a group of people who may understand.

The Loss of a Parent to Cancer Support Group meets Monthly on the 4th Monday from 6:00-7:30pm ET.

Upcoming Sessions:

March 27
April 24
May 22
June 26

This program is being offered virtually through Zoom. In order to participate and receive the Zoom link, register by clicking the RSVP button above or by emailing programs@smithcenter.org.

You will receive the Zoom information no later than the morning of your program.

with Kevin Mutschler