Oncology

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Join Us July 21st, in Supporting Reid’s Ride and the Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance

Join Us in Supporting the 15th Anniversary of Reid’s Ride! 

Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance – Altering the course of Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults. 

The ‘Mission’ and ‘Vision’ of the AYA Cancer Alliance –

Mission – “To help others achieve two goals that Reid could not attain before his premature death, those being: a) to attend the college of his choice; and b) to survive cancer. To this end, the mission of the Alliance is to provide a fundraising and educational organization from which to promote scholarship, medical research, and other benevolent purposes that, directly or indirectly, correlate with the values, ambitions, and life of Reid Sacco.”

Vision – “To one day be regarded as an organization that has effectively provided pivotal funding and/or the impetus for having found a cure or effective long-term treatment for the sarcomas and other cancers that primarily affect adolescents and young adults. Our dream is to awake one day to the realization that these cancers have become routinely curable. ”

You can participate in and support Reid’s Ride by cycling, volunteering, donating, and cheering on cyclists along the route.

Come to the finish line at Stage Fort Park, Gloucester MA Sunday, July 21st and meet Sacco Family, the ‘force’ behind Reid’s Ride.   

Join Reid’s Family, Lorraine, Gene, Weston, Deb, Frank Sacco, and Reid’s many cousins, friends, volunteers and cyclists. A wonderful group of organizers and participants for this 28-Mile fundraising Bicycle Ride from Lynnfield MA high school to Gloucester MA, Stage Fort Park.

So much positivity behind this group, you can’t help but get caught up in their wave of progress against cancer in adolescents and young adults.

STOP By Stage Fort Park overlooking beautiful Gloucester Harbor – 8:3O a.m. – 12 noon.

  • Greet and cheer on the cyclists as they arrive at the end of their 28 mile ride to Stage Fort Park.
  • Stop by the Raffle Table at the finish, Stage Fort Park for Dinners, Red Sox tickets, Sonos products, a ‘Gift of Wellness’ Basket and much more!
  • Stop by the Dream Team ‘Wellness Tent.’ A ‘DreamTeam’ of Professional Wellness Providers and volunteers will be offering Massage, Reflexology and Reiki. FREE to Reid’s Ride cyclists and volunteers; ‘By Donation’ to all others with 100% of the donations going to Reid’s Ride and the Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance, supporting AYA Programs at Tufts Medical Center, Connecticut Children’s Hospital, and More!

The ‘Dream Team’ – What began as one Reiki Provider in 2O11 at the request of Tina Ketchopulos, has grown to include more Volunteers, Wellness Providers and Cyclists! https://www.firstgiving.com/event/Reidsride/2019

The ‘Dream Team’ has included (Past and Present) – Cyclists: Jo-Ann Gibely, John Leonard, Melinda Vaturro, Patrick Canonica, Mike Chamness and Sandy Skinner; Integrative Therapy/Wellness Providers: Acupuncturist Eugenia Lai, LicAc.  MA.;Massage Therapists: Grace Conway LCMT from Saltwater Massage Studio, Karen Lohnes RMT, LCMT, from HarmonySquared, Marlee Nelson LCMT, Christine Misiano LCMT from Sport Massage Pro and Bodyworks,); Reiki Providers: Ethel Haddix, Justine Hardy, Diana Whitten, Nikki Fleenor, Suzanne Sweeney, Energize Body and Mind), Nancy Earabino LPN, Reiki Teacher/Shihan, Jean Wash RN, RM, and Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Dreamtime Wellness; Donors: Carol Ramirez, Mike Chamness, Dr. Christopher Chamness, Pole’s Hill and Anonymous, Jody Huffcut, and Angel Cacciola.  ‘Basket of Wellness’ Gifts and Gift Certificate Donors: Suzanne Panarese LicAc, Kathy Madden LCMT, Suzanne Sweeney Optimal Wellness Cookbook, Karen Pischke (Reiki, Hypnosis); Jess Winn (Natural hair products from Salon Bogart); and Volunteers: Bob Haddix, Arlene Hill, Kathy Hitchcock and Jessica Winn. For which we are most grateful!

Thank you to all the participants of this and past year’s ‘Dream Team, in memory of Reid and our friend and colleague, Tina Ketchopulos’

To Support Reid’s Ride: sign up to ride or you may also make contributions on-line, by going to “Donations” .

reid_sacco_life_is_like_sailing

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  ~ Margaret Mead

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“Anything is Possible” …. Join Us in Supporting Reid’s Ride and the Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance.

Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance – Altering the course of Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults. 

AYA Cancer Alliance Mission –bring better care and treatments to each and every adolescent and young adult battling cancer so that each is given the chance to survive and thrive. Changing the way adolescents and young adults with cancer are treated, one patient at a time if need be. 

You can participate in and support Reid’s Ride by cycling, volunteering, donate, cheering on cyclists along the route, or Come to Stage Fort Park, Gloucester MA Sunday, July 15th and meet ‘the force’ behind Reid’s Ride –    

Join Reid’s Family, Lorraine, Gene, Weston, Deb, Frank Sacco, and Reid’s many cousins, friends and volunteers. A wonderful group of organizers and participants for this 28-Mile fundraising Bicycle Ride from Lynnfield MA high school to Gloucester MA, Stage Fort Park.

So much positivity behind this group, you can’t help but get caught up in their wave of progress against cancer in adolescents and young adults.

Stage Fort Park overlooking beautiful Gloucester Harbor – 8:3O a.m. – 12 noon.

  • Greet and cheer on the cyclists as they arrive at the end of their 28 mile ride to Stage Fort Park.
  • Stop by the Raffle Table at the finish, Stage Fort Park for Dinners, Red Sox tickets, Sonos products, a ‘Gift of Wellness’ Basket and much more!
  • Stop by the Dream Team ‘Wellness Tent.’ A ‘DreamTeam’ of Professional Wellness Providers and volunteers will be offering Massage, Reflexology and Reiki. FREE to Reid’s Ride cyclists and volunteers; ‘By Donation’ to all others with 100% of the donations going to Reid’s Ride and the Reid R. Sacco AYA Cancer Alliance, supporting AYA Programs at Tufts Medical Center, Connecticut Children’s Hospital, and More!

The ‘Dream Team’ – What began as one Reiki Provider in 2O11 at the request of Tina Ketchopulos, has grown to include more Volunteers, Wellness Providers and Cyclists!

This Year’s ‘Dream Team’ includes – Cyclists (Jo-Ann Gibely, John Leonard, Melinda Vaturro, Patrick Canonica, and Sandy Skinner), Integrative Therapy/Wellness Providers Massage Therapists (Grace Conway from Saltwater Massage Studio, Karen Lohnes from HarmonySquared, Christine Misiano from Sport Massage Pro and Bodyworks,) Reiki Providers ( Ethel Haddix, Nikki Fleenor, Karen Pischke, Suzanne Sweeney), Donors (Pole’s Hill and Anonymous) and Volunteers (Bob Haddix, Arlene Hill and Kathy Hitchcock). Thank you to all the participants of this year’s ‘Dream Team!’

To Support Reid’s Ride – sign up to ride or you may also make contributions on-line, by going to “Donations” .

reid_sacco_life_is_like_sailing

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  ~ Margaret Mead

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May 1st ‘Community Reiki Share’ for a Cause – Toots Fore Tufts

Community Reiki Share/Clinic

Where: At the Manchester Community Center. 40 Beach St. (Harbor Place) Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA.

When: 5:15 – 8:15 P.M. First Tuesdays fo the Month. Suggested Donation – $20.00

This month’s Reiki Share/Clinic proceeds benefit Toots Fore Tufts and the Marc Jackson Foundation Neuro-oncology Patient Support Fund at Tufts Medical Center, providing programs that support neuro-oncology (brain cancer) and other patients undergoing treatment for cancer and their families, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA

100% of net proceeds from Tuesday’s Reiki Share will go directly to Toots Fore Tufts. 

~ Ask your workplace about matching corporate donations! ~

How You Can Help Support Toots Fore Tufts:

However You Choose to Help, it’s a ‘Win-Win!’ 

~ Enjoy the Sense of Peace, Comfort and Calm Reiki provides. ~

~ This month’s attendees will receive a special ‘Gift from Sedona.’ ~

Photo © Karen Pischke/Dreamtime Wellness™

Register in Advance – info@DreamtimeWellness.com or call 978-283-4258. Walk-ins accommodated as we are able. Wheelchair accessible. Convenient, free parking.

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Despite Torrential Rain, NSMC Cancer Walk a Success!

NSMC 25th-Logo

A Good Day for Ducks, Fund Raising and Lots of Enthusiasm! Sunday’s weather brought torrential rain, but it didn’t keep participants from walking at the 25th Anniversary North Shore Medical Center’s Cancer Walk.  Over 2,000 people walked in the midst of the storm.

Lynn Daily Item Report – http://www.itemlive.com/news/cancer-walk-rains-in-money/article_c8aed3c4-1e18-11e5-aee9-2bfc34f2cd78.html

Most people planned ahead and prepared for the rain …,

NSMC Cancer Walk 2015 Enthusiastic Wet Crowd

A Wet But Enthusiastic Crowd.

NSMC Cancer Walk Wet Dog FullSizeRender

Seeking Shelter From the Rain.

NSMC Cancer Walk Finish Line FullSizeRender

Congratulations!

…  but a few were caught out in the cold in just shorts and a tee-shirt. One lucky dog was able to snag a poncho and find shelter under a table.

Congratulations to all the walkers! Some were walking for themselves, others in memory and in honor of loved ones. One woman told me after she, “I lost 50 pounds to get in shape for the walk,” and was “walking in memory of her father.” He must be so proud!  One thing for sure ….

NSMC Cancer Walk Never Lose Heart

You’ve Got to Have Heart

and HOPE Never Stops!

HOPE

~ Remembering those we’ve lost. ~ Honoring and supporting those in treatment. ~
~ Commemorating survivors. ~  With Gratitude. ~

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NSMC Cancer Walk – Celebration of Life, Hope and Courage. This is Worth Going Over the Bridge For!

NSMC 25th-Logo
A Celebration of Life, Hope and Courage. NSMC Cancer Walk. Sunday. June 28th. 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.  At the Salem Willows.
This Year is the 25th Anniversary of the North Shore Medical Center’s Cancer Walk. Money raised from the North Shore Cancer WALK/RUN will support the construction of the new inpatient oncology unit at North Shore Medical Center as well as wellness services and support programs at the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center in Danvers, MA.
This event is worth going ‘over the bridge’ for! Cape Ann/Gloucester has a wonderful oncology department at Addison Gilbert, but many Cape Ann and north shore residents also use the facilities at MGH/NS Cancer Center in Danvers for cancer treatment and follow-up.
For information on this event, to participate or donate –
 Sample Reiki Sessions from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the ‘Wellness Tent.’  Free to participants of the Relay. ‘By Donation’ for others. (100% of Donations to Benefit the NSMC Cancer Walk.) Come and enjoy a sample of Reiki for ‘relaxation, rest and renewal.’ (Massage Therapists will be there too!) Dreamtime Wellness™ will be there, along with nurse Nancy Earabino, a Reiki Teacher and Reiki Provider for NSMC Wellness.
Reiki – (ray-kee) is a Japanese Healing Method/Art that began in 1922 with founder, Mikao Usui Sensei. Reiki sessions are offered through light (or non) touch and without manipulation. Generally considered safe, Reiki is offered in the oncology settings as part of comprehensive integrative medicine departments. Preliminary studies indicate a potential for relief of anxiety and pain with Reiki. More rigorous, larger studies are needed.
Reiki at NSMC FB

Reiki in Hospitals and Healthcare

Integrative Healthcare – Key words – Collaborative, Comprehensive, Safe, Effective, Care.  In the oncology setting, complementary integrative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, Reiki and yoga are offered primarily as supportive care for symptom management, such as:
  • Relief of anxiety,
  • Improved sleep,
  • Improved comfort,
  • Improved quality of life,
  • Greater sense of wellbeing.
Note – Reiki and other Complementary Therapies are not meant to replace or ‘take the place of” conventional (western/mainstream) medicine, but are best offered ‘in combination’ and after rigorous studies have been done to verify safety and effectiveness. “Integrative medicine“combines mainstream medical therapies and Complementary and Integrative medicine (IM) therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.”
Ask your physician/oncologist beforehand about using CAM. Start the conversation – If you are using CAM therapies, let your physician/oncologist know. **Some supplements/herbs/over the counter medications may interact with and/or negatively affect your treatment. ‘When in doubt, check it out’ and talk to your physician! Trust, rapport and open communication are important for safe, effective care. 
Sources and more information on Reiki Therapy and other Complementary & Integrative Therapies for patients undergoing treatment for cancer and how to choose a qualified provider  –
Having offered Reiki as the RN/Reiki Provider at NSMC for 12 years and the MGH Cancer Center for 9 years, this event is especially close to my heart. During that time, I saw many of my friends, neighbors and their families when they were there for cancer treatment. It was an honor and a privilege to help support them through their care and hopefully make their treatment more bearable, and their lives a little more comfortable.  ~ Karen Pischke BSN, RN, Reiki Provider & Teacher
Patients receiving Reiki while undergoing treatment for cancer have often relayed “a greater sense of HOPE.”   

“Hope is the thing with feathers– That perches in the soul– And sings the tune without words– And never stops–at all…” – Emily Dickinson

Bird feather on water surface with free space for text

HOPE Never Stops

~ Remembering those we’ve lost. ~ Honoring and supporting those in treatment. ~
~ Commemorating survivors. ~  With Gratitude. ~

Karen Pischke B.S.N., R.N., Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, Reiki Teacher/Shihan, Tobacco Treatment Specialist. In addition to a private wellness business, Karen has been employed as the RN/Reiki Provider and Hypnotherapist at NSMC, RN/Reiki Provider at Mass General Cancer Center (Danvers and Boston,) and currently is the RN/Reiki Provider at Lahey Danvers Outpatient Center/for the Pain Management Integrative Healthcare. Owner/Founder of Dreamtime Wellness™ Since 2000. Promoting Optimal Wellness for Body, Mind & Spirit. More information can be found at –www.DreamtimeWellness.com. Follow on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreamtime-Wellness-/348619611849199

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