Growing our Survivor Connections
We have had a fun first quarter here at B the Light and wanted to share it with you!
There is so much more planned for 2023, so please read to hear about upcoming opportunities for you or a survivor you can share this with!
ReLight Retreats
ReLight Retreats have been one of our survivors’ favorite opportunities to connect! This year, we have four retreats planned, each with a different theme. The first one in February was a “Love Yourself” theme around Valentine’s Day.
The retreat allowed survivors to enjoy self-care with acupuncture, music meditation, and a mini session with a mental health therapist at The New Ulm Wellness Collective.
10 breast cancer survivors attended, and we had participants from Minneapolis, Mankato, to Lake Crystal, and New Ulm! Each received a goody bag with a B the Light t-shirt and a gift card to The Wellness Collective for future use!!
Our next offering is Saturday, May 6, 2023, and features Art Therapy! Local art instructor Bridget Gusso will lead this, and it will be another chance for survivors to connect and create something beautiful together!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE NEXT RELIGHT RETREAT
Hope Huddles
Brand new this year is another offering we call Hope Huddles. This is a more casual way to connect survivors and is already a favorite! We have hosted huddles with supper at George’s Fine Steaks and Spirits, and breakfast Lola’s an American Bistro in New Ulm.
Due to the positive feedback we have received, these will be standing offerings every month moving forward and continuing at the same locations. We will meet for supper on the second Thursday of each month and coffee on the last Saturday. Please watch the calendar for locations and times!
CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR THE NEXT HOPE HUDDLES
Cooking Beyond Cancer
Cooking Beyond Cancer is also brand new this year. We just finished our first 6-week session and had so much fun with the 12 breast cancer survivors that participated. This was held at Lola’s in New Ulm, and the menu was co-created with the direction of Dr. Cori Jordan and Chef, Aron Bode.
The group met every Monday night from 5:30-7 pm and prepped, cooked, and ate a meal together. It was educational for the group as we learned creative ways to cook healthy meals on a budget with just a few ingredients! Of course, the highlight of each week was the time shared around the table talking about our shared diagnosis of breast cancer and supporting each other at the different stages we are in.
CLICK HERE for the segment from KEYC about Cooking Beyond Cancer
CLICK HERE TO Check out this article courtesy of the New Ulm Journal
Future Plans for Cooking Beyond Cancer:
The menus and stories from this first session are currently being made into a cookbook that will be for sale!
The plan for our next class is a 4-week session in September. This round will be meal prep style where survivors are making meals to take home and share with their families!
Stay tuned for more information on our website and social media!
Survival Fitness
Next up- one of our most popular offerings to breast cancer survivors over the years- SURVIVAL FITNESS!!
Survival Fitness allows survivors to come together in their health and wellness, healing mentally, and physically, and regaining the strength lost throughout their cancer journey. The program incorporates strength training, and health coaching, is offered out of New Ulm CrossFit , and is funded by B the Light.
The next offering of Survival Fitness starts Monday, April 3rd. This session will be 4 weeks long, ending on April 26th. Classes will take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm.
We have 16 survivors registered to participate!
CLICK HERE FOR THE CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Don’t forget to save the date for the Gala - Friday, October 27th, 2023 -
Individual tickets go on sale on August 1st at https://bthelight2023.givesmart.com
Know a breast cancer survivor in our area? Please share B the Light with them.