Complementary Therapy Resources in North Carolina

All you need is deep within you waiting to unfold and reveal itself. All you have to do is be still and take time to seek for what is within, and you will surely find it.

— Eileen Caddy

Organizations

Buddy Kemp Caring House (Charlotte, NC)
704.384.5223
www.novanthealth.org/buddykemp
Provides home-like environment for emotional support away from the hospital setting. All services are free and available to anyone. Offers Camp Phoenix (annual camping retreat for adults with cancer and their families), support groups, programs on meditation, relaxation, imagery, massage therapy and more.

Cancer Services, Inc. (Winston-Salem, NC)
336.760.9983
www.cancer-services.com
In addition to financial assistance, wigs and prostheses, and transportation assistance, this organization offers support groups and wellness programs such as journal writing, nutrition talks and art therapy.

Carolina Health & Humor Association (Durham, NC)
919.544.2370
www.cahaha.com
www.thehumorcollection.org
Carolina Ha Ha is an educational service organization dedicated to promoting humor for a healthy lifestyle and enhanced communication skills. Offers programs including “The Healing Potential of Humor,” seminars, retreats and bimonthly newsletter. Founded the Laugh Mobile, therapeutic humor program for cancer patients at Duke Medical Center.

Cornucopia House Cancer Support Center (Chapel Hill, NC)
919.967.8842
www.cornucopiahouse.org
Offers a variety of services, including Sharings, a quarterly newsletter, resource library, support groups, Compassionate Touch, yoga, visualization/relaxation and educational programs on a variety of complementary therapies. All services are free of charge, open to cancer patients, family members and friends.

Get REAL and HEEL Exercise Program (Chapel Hill, NC)
919.962.2021 or 919.843.6045
A free exercise program, offered by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, that allows breast cancer patients to work with a personal trainer. Available to 42 women in 2006 from anywhere in North Carolina. Must be able to travel to Chapel Hill three times a week. (2006 Komen NC Triangle Affiliate Grantee)

New Visions Center for Art & Healing (Cary, NC)
919.233.8429
www.newvisionscenter.org
Offers several art “playshops,” retreats and programs. Workshops for breast cancer, including body sculpting, dance, photography and Hands of Hope.

Pathways – Life After Cancer (Asheville, NC)
828.252.4106
www.pathways-lifeaftercancer.org
Counseling center for people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Offers “healing pathway” groups, individual counseling, support groups, and educational programs on a variety of complementary therapies.

Retreats, Camps & Workshops (North Carolina and Beyond)

Casting for Recovery (CFR)
802.362.9181
www.castingforrecovery.org
A non-profit organization that runs fly fishing retreats for women recovering from breast cancer. CFR two-day retreats encourage social support with lessons on fly fishing and include forum for participants to explore cancer-related issues and feelings while lending one another support. Free to participants and offered in North Carolina since 2002.

Camp Bluebird (Flat Rock, NC)
Contact: Leslie Verner, Director at 828.213.4656
The camp is held annually in October (2-night, 3-day retreat) for cancer patients & survivors age 18 or older. Registration fee is minimal. Recreation, education, crafts, artwork, music therapy, educational sessions, healthy eating & camp support offered.

Camp Dove (Pine Knoll Shores, NC)
Contact: Chaplain Ken Turner at 252.816.4790
An annual 3-day, 2-night retreat, sponsored by Leo W. Jenkins Cancer Center, for cancer survivors (age 18 or older, plus a family member) held each September at Trinity Center, Pine Knoll Shores, NC. Registration fee is minimal. Encourages listening, learning, family support, educational sessions, side effects management, healthy eating & creative outlets through use of arts & crafts.

Camp Phoenix (Lake Wylie, NC)
Contact: Buddy Kemp Caring House at 704.384.5223 or 800.998.HOPE (4673)
Annual 3-day, 2-night retreat for cancer patients, survivors & their family—held 4th weekend of each September at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie. Registration fee is minimal. The camp offers recreational and social activities, arts & crafts, yoga, massage, children’s activities, supportive & encouraging interaction with other cancer survivors.

Healing Spas
www.spaindex.com/Lifestyles/BreastCancerSurvivors.htm
See this web site for spas across the country that have programs or services for breast cancer patients and survivors. Other healing spas of note include Miraval and Sunstone in Arizona, Red Mountain in Utah, and Calluna in Washington.

Waking Dreams & Warrior Women
“Hanging Out” (breastplate) workshops
401.245.5449
www.wakingdreams.org
Works with women with current or past history of breast cancer through collaborative arts projects, educational programs for healthcare professionals & medical research. Demonstrates a model for integrating the arts with medicine to promote healing.