Commonweal Cancer Help Program Alumni Circles

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By Kathleen Kramer The North Bay Healing Circle has been meeting monthly since the summer of 2009. Our formation grew out of a one-day alumni retreat that was held by the Commonweal Cancer Help Program (CCHP) for those who had attended the…

Oblivion

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A poem by CCHP alumnus Stuart C. Johnson

Bent Not Broken

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A poem by CCHP alumnus Daniel Blodgett

Pacific House at Night

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A poem by CCHP alumna Amber Kennedy

Two Poems

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"Girl Scout Camp circa 1970" and "Rope" by CCHP alumna Terry Fletcher

Untie

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A poem by CCHP alumni Terri Mason

Love the Ones You’re With

CCHP alumni Terri Mason reflects on her experience at the Commonweal Cancer Help Program retreat.

Fear and Loving in Bolinas

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At CCHP, Stephanie felt accepted for what she was. She felt that she was granted the spaciousness to be and didn't feel the need to change, to become the same as. And, in that acceptance, to accept everyone’s multifaceted beingness. To learn to love without expecting conformity to expectation or to the dominant cancer narratives of our day.

Healing Circles

The Commonweal Cancer Help Program starts with the container. By this, Rob means the physical, mental/psychological, spiritual, and interpersonal environment in which CCHP happens. That container was the platform of his transformation.

No Longer Left Behind

Having nine people who made including her a high enough priority to delay a pleasurable activity was life-changing for Miki. For that evening, the possibility of belonging was palpable. The memory continued to inspire her to reach for more and more connection and belonging with people, and to find it.