Locals, if you or someone you know is a female cancer survivor, please read this.
Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer presents the I Am Hope Survivors Reset Retreat, a four-day, three-night experience for cancer survivors that aims to help them get clear on life after cancer and how to move forward. The retreat will take place June 11-14. And yes, it is free.
The organization’s programs — which include retreats, podcasts and local survivorship events — are fully funded by a network of generous donors, sponsors and fundraising efforts. This year’s retreat sponsors include Eisenhower Health, Desert Oasis Healthcare, the City of Rancho Mirage, Wally’s Desert Turtle, Bighorn Cares, the City of Indian Wells, The Gardens on El Paseo, Muro Dental Corporation and the Desert Design District. Their collective contributions ensure the continuation of vital cancer support services for the community.
The retreat is a unique opportunity for survivors to connect with one another, share their stories and heal in a supportive environment. The retreat not only fosters lasting friendships but also establishes a built-in network for ongoing support that continues well beyond the event itself.
There are conditions. You must be a local cancer survivor and have completed active treatment in the last one to five years; those forever living with an ongoing cancer diagnosis are eligible. The women must be at least 18 years of age and must be a resident of the Coachella Valley or very close.
This is the fifth year for this event, which has grown every year with more workshops and activities. It’s not doom and gloom, it’s laughter, strength, fun, camaraderie and many surprises.
There are currently only 30 local spots available. The last day to apply is May 15. To nominate a survivor or to learn more, visit iamhoperetreat.com.
As the final fundraising event of the year, the fourth annual Pre-Mother’s Day Tea hosted by Wally’s Desert Turtle and presented by the City of Rancho Mirage will take place May 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This special gathering honors the memory of two beloved mothers, Nicole Botello and Shay’s Warriors co-founder Aileen Alvarez, whose legacies continue to inspire the organization’s mission. Proceeds from the event directly support scholarships for survivors wishing to attend the retreat.
The tea will be an elegant afternoon featuring champagne, tea sandwiches, sweets, live music and exclusive giveaways. Attendees can explore the new Wellness & Shopping boutique and participate in a drawing for a stunning necklace, valued at more than $10,000, donated by Diamond Wish Palm Desert. Tickets for the drawing are $100; winners need not be present to win.
Tickets for the Pre-Mother’s Day Tea are available online, and spots are filling quickly. To purchase tickets, visit shayswarriors.org/high-tea.
Through the generosity of local sponsors and the unwavering commitment of the community, Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer continues to empower cancer survivors, proving that together, hope and healing are possible.
Carole Stephen-Smith began writing in Scotland for a women’s weekly at the age of 15 and later covered American celebrities for the London Evening Echo. After relocating to the desert, she wrote for Desert Woman in the 1990s. Stephen-Smith focuses on charities that assist women, medical causes — especially breast cancer awareness — and all aspects of child abuse.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Shay’s Warriors to host free post-cancer retreat. Nominations are open
Reporting by Carole Stephen-Smith, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
