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Archive for September, 2010
Director’s Reflections: Last Conference? – September 2010
Dear Friends,
A heartfelt thank you to all of you who voted for my picture in the Pretty in Pink photo contest. Although our picture didn’t win the contest, I feel like a winner because I experienced so much love and support.
The story about my cancer scare last month elicited comments of understanding and appreciation from many of you. I loved hearing from you and wished there was a way you could all read what others wrote to me. So this month we’re trying something new. You can comment at the end of my Director’s Reflections, and you will all be able to read what others write.
This feels like a year of paradoxes for Healing Journeys. I’m curious to see what develops. There have been several occurrences that made me think it might be time to wrap up Healing Journeys. Our usual resources of sponsorships and grants to pay for our free conference weren’t available this year. I would have given up, but then an anonymous donor made a significant contribution as a challenge grant and many of you stepped up to the challenge, so we’re within $20k of having the money to meet our budget. I hope to close that gap through our raffle and donations at the conference.
Because I have worked harder to keep Healing Journeys financially viable this year, and I’ve been doing it for 16 years, I’m tired. Another indication it might be time to give it up. And then another generous donor gave us the funding to hire a new Executive Director to share the load. Working with the right person, I would be delighted to continue. You can see the job description here. We hope to start interviewing after the October 9th & 10th conference. If you know someone that might fit what we are looking for, please encourage her/him to attend the San Mateo conference. That’s how she will discover if she has a passion for continuing this work.
So, on the one hand the signs from the Universe have pointed to the possibility that the upcoming San Mateo conference could be our last one. On the other hand, there are indications that the support, the need, and the passion are there to continue our mission to support healing, activate hope, and promote thriving.
When we started offering the Cancer as a Turning Point, From Surviving to Thriving™ conference in 1994, there wasn’t much available to people touched by cancer that would fulfill that mission. Since then, the Integrative Medicine movement has blossomed. Many cancer centers offer programs focusing on healing the whole person. I wonder if Healing Journeys has fulfilled its mission and our conference isn’t needed anymore. Judging by the excitement and registrations for the San Mateo conference, I don’t think that’s true. I’d love to hear your comments on this question.
The program planned for the October conference is awesome. It will truly be a Broadway show for the soul and I think you will be sorry if you miss it, especially if it turns out to be the very last one. As of this writing, we don’t have another one planned. Please share your comments below on whether you feel there is a need for the unique role our conference plays in the world of healing.
In the spirit of healing,
Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Executive Director
P.S. We still need volunteers for the San Mateo conference, so please let us know if you can help.
Dear Friends,
A heartfelt thank you to all of you who voted for my picture in the Pretty in Pink photo contest. Although our picture didn’t win the contest, I feel like a winner because I experienced so much love and support.
The story about my cancer scare last month elicited comments of understanding and appreciation from many of you. I loved hearing from you and wished there was a way you could all read what others wrote to me. So this month we’re trying something new. You can comment at the end of my Director’s Reflections, and you will all be able to read what others write.
This feels like a year of paradoxes for Healing Journeys. I’m curious to see what develops. There have been several occurrences that made me think it might be time to wrap up Healing Journeys. Our usual resources of sponsorships and grants to pay for our free conference weren’t available this year. I would have given up, but then an anonymous donor made a significant contribution as a challenge grant and many of you stepped up to the challenge, so we’re within $20k of having the money to meet our budget. I hope to close that gap through our raffle and donations at the conference.
Because I have worked harder to keep Healing Journeys financially viable this year, and I’ve been doing it for 16 years, I’m tired. Another indication it might be time to give it up. And then another generous donor gave us the funding to hire a new Executive Director to share the load. Working with the right person, I would be delighted to continue. You can see the job description here. We hope to start interviewing after the October 9th & 10th conference. If you know someone that might fit what we are looking for, please encourage her/him to attend the San Mateo conference. That’s how she will discover if she has a passion for continuing this work.
So, on the one hand the signs from the Universe have pointed to the possibility that the upcoming San Mateo conference could be our last one. On the other hand, there are indications that the support, the need, and the passion are there to continue our mission to support healing, activate hope, and promote thriving.
When we started offering the Cancer as a Turning Point, From Surviving to Thriving™ conference in 1994, there wasn’t much available to people touched by cancer that would fulfill that mission. Since then, the Integrative Medicine movement has blossomed. Many cancer centers offer programs focusing on healing the whole person. I wonder if Healing Journeys has fulfilled its mission and our conference isn’t needed anymore. Judging by the excitement and registrations for the San Mateo conference, I don’t think that’s true. I’d love to hear your comments on this question.
The program planned for the October conference is awesome. It will truly be a Broadway show for the soul and I think you will be sorry if you miss it, especially if it turns out to be the very last one. As of this writing, we don’t have another one planned. Please share your comments below on whether you feel there is a need for the unique role our conference plays in the world of healing.
In the spirit of healing,
Jan Adrian, MSW
Founder and Executive Director
P.S. We still need volunteers for the San Mateo conference, so please let us know if you can help.
Eat, Love, Survive!
Eat, Love, Survive!
Celebrating the marriage between the Cancer-Fighting Kitchen and the fine dining experience.
Benefit Dinner for Healing Journeys
With a menu created collaboratively by renowned cookbook author, Rebecca Katz, and Executive Chef, Rick Hackett.
A special benefit dinner in honor of Cancer victims and survivors.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
6-10pm
$90 per person
(includes hors d’oeuvres, wine, non-alcoholic beverage, dinner, dessert, tax and tip)
Proceeds benefit the work of Healing Journeys, serving anyone touched by cancer.
Wines by Cleavage Creek Cellars
Donating 10% of all gross proceeds to Breast Cancer research.
Bocanova Restaurant
Jack London Square
(on the water at the foot of Webster St.)
Oakland, CA
For reservations, phone: 510-444-1233
This exciting event was created when Healing Journeys received the following letter:
Greetings, Jan!
Rebecca Katz gave me your email address. I’m the sommelier at Bocanova Restaurant in Jack London Square in Oakland. I’ve been working with Rebecca to put together a special benefit dinner in honor of cancer victims and survivors, featuring a collaborative menu created by our executive chef, Rick Hackett, and Rebecca, based on her latest book, The Cancer- Fighting Kitchen. We will also feature the wines of Cleavage Creek, who donate 10% of gross sales to breast cancer research. Bocanova is already dedicated to sourcing all its food from sustainable, non-industrialized producers whose food is free from all the nasties that have been implicated in the cancer epidemic. So it’s a natural match for Rick and Rebecca to craft a dinner that can demonstrate the happy marriage between the culinary arts and cancer-fighting food choices.
Bocanova would like to donate a significant portion of the evening’s proceeds to Healing Journeys. When my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago, we both drew tremendous sustenance from the Cancer As A Turning Point conference we attended, and the resources we discovered there. Since I’m in the position now to facilitate a large contribution to your work, I’d like to do what I can to give back. We continue to be impressed and grateful for all that you do!
The dinner, titled “Eat, Love, Survive! Celebrating the marriage between the Cancer-Fighting Kitchen and the fine dining experience,” is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 6–10pm. To make the evening a success, we need to sell between 150-180 tickets at $90 each (inclusive of hors d’oeuvres, wine, non-alcoholic beverage, dinner, dessert, tax and tip). Healing Journeys will receive 30% of the proceeds, plus whatever additional donations are made that evening. Rebecca will speak about her work, and be available to sign and sell The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen. It is wonderful to hear that you will be able to be there to talk a bit about your work with Healing Journeys and to enjoy the delicious meal and wonderful ambiance of Bocanova.
Reservations are already being accepted. Folks should call 510-444-1233 to be sure there is space available.
I hope, Jan, that this doesn’t come across as too overwhelming an idea! Rebecca has been very excited by it, and thought that you would be too. I would be happy to hear any thoughts you may have about how to bring folks in so they can be both delighted and educated by the culinary possibilities of healthful food choices, while being given the opportunity to contribute to the important work of Healing Journeys.
If you’re not already familiar with Bocanova, we’ve just celebrated our 1st anniversary in September, and have already built a loyal following, as well as having garnered some nice attention in the press, including the New York Times.
Thanks, Jan, for taking the time to read this and think through with us how to bring about the best return to your organization. It will be a privilege to help you.
All the best,
David Fetcho
Sommelier
Bocanova Restaurant
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA
Eat, Love, Survive!
Celebrating the marriage between the Cancer-Fighting Kitchen and the fine dining experience.
Benefit Dinner for Healing Journeys
With a menu created collaboratively by renowned cookbook author, Rebecca Katz, and Executive Chef, Rick Hackett.
A special benefit dinner in honor of Cancer victims and survivors.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
6-10pm
$90 per person
(includes hors d’oeuvres, wine, non-alcoholic beverage, dinner, dessert, tax and tip)
Proceeds benefit the work of Healing Journeys, serving anyone touched by cancer.
Wines by Cleavage Creek Cellars
Donating 10% of all gross proceeds to Breast Cancer research.
Bocanova Restaurant
Jack London Square
(on the water at the foot of Webster St.)
Oakland, CA
For reservations, phone: 510-444-1233
This exciting event was created when Healing Journeys received the following letter:
Greetings, Jan!
Rebecca Katz gave me your email address. I’m the sommelier at Bocanova Restaurant in Jack London Square in Oakland. I’ve been working with Rebecca to put together a special benefit dinner in honor of cancer victims and survivors, featuring a collaborative menu created by our executive chef, Rick Hackett, and Rebecca, based on her latest book, The Cancer- Fighting Kitchen. We will also feature the wines of Cleavage Creek, who donate 10% of gross sales to breast cancer research. Bocanova is already dedicated to sourcing all its food from sustainable, non-industrialized producers whose food is free from all the nasties that have been implicated in the cancer epidemic. So it’s a natural match for Rick and Rebecca to craft a dinner that can demonstrate the happy marriage between the culinary arts and cancer-fighting food choices.
Bocanova would like to donate a significant portion of the evening’s proceeds to Healing Journeys. When my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago, we both drew tremendous sustenance from the Cancer As A Turning Point conference we attended, and the resources we discovered there. Since I’m in the position now to facilitate a large contribution to your work, I’d like to do what I can to give back. We continue to be impressed and grateful for all that you do!
The dinner, titled “Eat, Love, Survive! Celebrating the marriage between the Cancer-Fighting Kitchen and the fine dining experience,” is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 6–10pm. To make the evening a success, we need to sell between 150-180 tickets at $90 each (inclusive of hors d’oeuvres, wine, non-alcoholic beverage, dinner, dessert, tax and tip). Healing Journeys will receive 30% of the proceeds, plus whatever additional donations are made that evening. Rebecca will speak about her work, and be available to sign and sell The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen. It is wonderful to hear that you will be able to be there to talk a bit about your work with Healing Journeys and to enjoy the delicious meal and wonderful ambiance of Bocanova.
Reservations are already being accepted. Folks should call 510-444-1233 to be sure there is space available.
I hope, Jan, that this doesn’t come across as too overwhelming an idea! Rebecca has been very excited by it, and thought that you would be too. I would be happy to hear any thoughts you may have about how to bring folks in so they can be both delighted and educated by the culinary possibilities of healthful food choices, while being given the opportunity to contribute to the important work of Healing Journeys.
If you’re not already familiar with Bocanova, we’ve just celebrated our 1st anniversary in September, and have already built a loyal following, as well as having garnered some nice attention in the press, including the New York Times.
Thanks, Jan, for taking the time to read this and think through with us how to bring about the best return to your organization. It will be a privilege to help you.
All the best,
David Fetcho
Sommelier
Bocanova Restaurant
Jack London Square
Oakland, CA
Sampler of a free Cancer as a Turning Point Conference
Jeanne Wallace – Important Tests for Cancer Patients
