| About Wings of Care | ||
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MISSION & VISION The Wings of Care Program was inspired by Pacific Oncology & Hematology patient David Blackburn, who passed away in November of 2006. David’s extraordinary cancer journey led him to discover the powerful mind/body connection. Many of the Wings of Care service offerings brought David inner peace throughout his difficult journey. He was passionately committed to bringing these services to all cancer patients and their families. The Blackburn family is deeply committed to honoring David’s memory, ensuring the work that he began takes flight, enabling others to take comfort and gain inner strength from the wide variety of integrative and educational program offerings. Treatment Approaches that Add Emotional & Therapeutic Tools PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT A sampling of support groups include:
GUIDED IMAGERY & HYPNOSIS / SELF-HYPNOSIS
NUTRITION COUNSELING Some workshop titles will include: ■ Nutrition Myths and Realities
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Some benefits of Acupuncture include:
QI GONG
RESEARCH
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 16 August 2010 14:21 ) |
This unique Wings of Care workshop introduces participants to creative art techniques using a variety of materials, such as collage papers and fabrics, acrylic paints, watercolors, oils and drawings, clay and wood. Participants are encouraged to channel their creative expression to help create hope, express uncertainties, and elaborate on issues of illness and life changes. This workshop is open to cancer patients, survivors, family and caregivers. Group discussion and feedback during the workshop foster insight and friendship.
This therapy calls upon the use of the imagination to create mental images to help bring about desired changes in one’s physical or emotional state, using intentional mental imagery to activate the body’s own natural resources for health and balance. It is frequently used to enhance the effectiveness of medical treatments, reduce many side effects of cancer treatment, provide emotional support and comfort to patients and loved ones, and improve the quality of life.
Patients encounter a wide variety of nutrition information immediately following a cancer diagnosis, during treatment and once treatment is completed. Wings of Care nutrition workshops provide patients and caregivers with a detailed review, analysis and evaluation of their current diet plan. Participants will also learn how to meet their nutritional needs during and after treatment, as well as which foods complement their treatment regime and support their immune system. Patients can also obtain a detailed nutrition plan It is never too late for patients and their families to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Acupuncture stimulates acu-points along the body’s 14 main meridians, or energy pathways. These meridians loosely follow the pathways of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and it is thought that stimulating points along these pathways illicits physiological responses in the nervous system and brain chemistry. A large body of current research supports the physiological benefits of acupuncture in cancer care.
Chinese Herbs have direct and indirect functions in alleviating side effects and suppressing cancer growth and spread. When used conservatively and administered by an experienced practitioner, and with your doctor’s approval, herbal medicine can be an effective part of your supportive care before, during and even after cancer treatment, to rebuild your body’s immune system and prevent recurrence of your cancer.
In ancient Sanskrit, yoga means union. Yoga therapy helps to release points of tension and build strength, restoring a balance of body, mind and spirit. The American Cancer Society reports that yoga can “reduce levels of stress…and enhance quality of life for some patients with cancer.” Through our partnerships in the community, Wings of Care supports a yoga therapy program to give cancer patients and caregivers new tools- including meditation, breath training and guided imagery—to bring change into their lives.
Wings of Care has a unique partnership with the Cancer Legal Resource Center, the Disability Rights Legal Center and the Loyola Law School to provide cancer patients with the resources needed to face legal obstacles typically encountered during the course of their cancer journey. In these sessions, the experts discuss the most pertinent legal issues for cancer patients and survivors, including access to health insurance, employment rights and reasonable accommodations in the workplace, estate planning and access to disability insurance and government benefits (such as Medicare, Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance). The program includes both group discussion and one-on-one counsel and is provided free of charge to all who wish to attend.
