So many of us go, go, go until something stops us in our tracks. When that something involves a cancer diagnosis for you or a loved one, everything changes. Join us for a lunch and learn with the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Center to find out about strategies you can use to manage and make decisions about your business and personal life. The session will touch on getting access to good intel and resources to make educated decisions, get critical support, and navigate the medical system, as well as undertaking better self-care through mindfulness training and wellness lifestyle choices.
Speakers:
Sarah Young, MA, dip S.T. Programs and Outreach Coordinator, OICC
Before the creation of the OICC, Sarah ran a busy on-site corporate wellness company providing educational and complementary therapy programs for businesses in the GTA, with a focus on naturopathic medicine and shiatsu therapy. As Outreach and Program Coordinator for the OICC, Sarah develops and maintains partnerships with cancer stakeholders, works alongside OICC therapists to create dynamic programming for people living with cancer, and liases with patients to help educate and enrich their lives. Sarah co-facilitates the B4B Head Start program for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, which runs bi-monthly, and helps women to manage their fears and anxieties, create support networks, and learn how best to use integrative therapies to better their health outcomes. Fundraising is fast becoming part of Sarah’s job description as the need to fund these innovative programs increases. Sarah also works with the research team focusing on environmental medicine and public health policy as it intersects with cancer control.
Anne Pitman, M.Sc., EYRT Yoga Alliance Certified, Care Coordinator, OICC
Anne has taught mindful fitness, dance and yoga in Ottawa for over 25 years with the intention of helping people be more present in their lives. Her somatic studies in Body-Mind Centering, Trager, Feldenkrais, and Sensory Awareness continue to enrich her teaching. Anne has been a cancer coach, joining the OICC 5 years ago as a care coordinator and a yoga therapist. Anne co-leads Head Start, a program for those newly diagnosed with breast cancer, bringing a wide array of mindfulness and yoga practices to work with fear and anxiety. Anne has run empowerment workshops for women for over 25 years, with a focus on cancer over the past 5-10 years and has presented workshops at the Canadian PsychoSocial Oncology Conference, as well as numerous international yoga therapy conferences.
Anne is a graduate and ongoing scholar at the Orphan Wisdom School where she learns to compassionately support both living deeply and dying well. Anne has extensive experience in working with people going through the cancer journey and is a compassionate companion in group classes or individualized visits.
Dr. Ellen McDonell, ND and Research Fellow, OICC
Ellen McDonell is a naturopathic doctor focusing on integrative cancer care. In her clinical practice, she uses evidence-based therapies to decrease side effects of conventional therapy, adjunctively treat and prevent cancer, and optimize overall health. Therapies include clinical nutrition and supplementation, exercise, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling and acupuncture. Ellen is also involved with the research department at the OICC, where she works to bridge the gap between conventional and complementary healthcare by studying the effects of an integrative approach to cancer care. She strongly believes in the combination of conventional and complementary healthcare, and works alongside conventional treatment to optimize positive results.
Ellen obtained her degree in naturopathic medicine from The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). While at CCNM she completed a yearlong focus shift in adjunctive cancer care at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic. Previously, Ellen served as the President of the Naturopathic Students Association, and was the recipient of the Leadership Award presented by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. Prior to studying naturopathic medicine, Ellen obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa.
Margaret Shisko, a WBN member will share her personal experience with the topic of the session.
Lunch Details & Options
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