A Time of Giving Thanks, A Time of Hope for Things to Come
By Patti Brown “Leap,” insisted my friend Maggie. “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” I pondered her nudging. Later that evening I sent that email. It read something like this: “Hello friends and colleagues, I am opening a Mind Body Wellness Center for people dealing with the stress of cancer, thrivers and their families; care to join me to discuss how you may contribute your gifts?” To my surprise EVERYONE attended! Wellness Within was birthed with enthusiasm! Pardon my use of the cliché, “it took a village,” but it truly did and still does today.
My daughter Kels, @happyolks.com with assistance from her boyfriend Shaun, @BoyteCreative helped design our 1st brochure. Then...we grew some more. My niece Nicole and her husband Andreas designed our beautiful logo, created revision two of our brochure, then our new business cards. Rachel @ReviveNYC encouraged our growth by helping create & strengthen our blogs, newsletters, website and so much more. Elizabeth Proett @MPIH.org, selflessly offered playing her harp for our mind body skills group to deepen the tools we teach to our clients. And… the astounding gifts of so many, kept coming.
We have an incredible staff: Susan Whitaker, our yoga instructor, Diane Giuliani, our nutrition coach, Margie McCavitt, our horticultural therapist, Brook Rivera, another nutrition coach, Lisa Morgan, our healing arts instructor and Patty & Matt Milton our physical therapists running our fitness program. Currently, each one of them has dedicated their time to offer classes without pay. These are professionals who are committed to offering their gifts to those who have received a new cancer diagnosis, those in remission and their families who support them.
Gratefulness overwhelms me daily. I am astounded at the generosity, commitment, time and love each of our staff members have unselfishly given, especially considering these difficult economic times. As we all know, cancer doesn’t care about bad economic times, it keeps coming. Statistics by ACS and NCI state that 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. are due to cancer. An estimated 1.6 million people will have been diagnosed in 2012 alone. Startling, isn’t it?
Here at Wellness Within, we understand the larger impact of what having a cancer diagnosis means for each individual. We know the whole person is affected, thus, our mission is to offer tools that speak to the needs of each individual, to restore healing and instill hope.
Thanksgiving seems to provoke us, awaken us to all our blessings. Eyes wide, senses enlivened, heart full, hands clasped together in prayer giving thanks for the many people our team has been able to support on the cancer journey.
However...today we recognize the need for your help so that we can continue to provide our services, touch more lives, support individuals and families as they navigate this difficult journey. This Thanksgiving will you consider opening your hearts and make a donation to our center? We couldn’t possibly continue doing the work we do without the community’s and your support.
Curious to learn more about who we are? Visit our website. Have questions? Call me anytime, (916-788-0333); better yet stop by our center and see for yourself what we are all about. Ready to donate? Wellness Within is a 501c3, your tax deductible donation will help offer more programs & services.
As you gather with friends and family this holiday may your heart be filled with gratitude, your mind be at peace and your body nourished with the blessings of good health and love.
Breathe it all in with love, Patti
“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” -Stephen Grellet