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Weekend of Hope
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Weekend of Hope

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  • Post
    • May 4, 2011 at 10:42 am
    Rocco
    Participant

      I just came back from attending the Stowe (VT) Weekend of Hope – now in its 11th year.  This was my first time attending. What a great event!  Held the first weekend in May each year, the weekend offers the chance for cancer survivors and their families to convene in the beautiful and welcoming town of Stowe, Vermont for 3 days of activities – or just relaxation.  As a first time attendee I was eligible for and received free accomodations in Stowe  – and the actual conference was free.  Organizers noted that the Inns and Hotels around Stowe donated so

      I just came back from attending the Stowe (VT) Weekend of Hope – now in its 11th year.  This was my first time attending. What a great event!  Held the first weekend in May each year, the weekend offers the chance for cancer survivors and their families to convene in the beautiful and welcoming town of Stowe, Vermont for 3 days of activities – or just relaxation.  As a first time attendee I was eligible for and received free accomodations in Stowe  – and the actual conference was free.  Organizers noted that the Inns and Hotels around Stowe donated some $90K in accomodations to this year's event for first time attendees!  The online registration process and follow up phone call to register for the accomodations was painless.

      There were over 410 survivors registered this year representing over 16 types of cancer.  While the color pink was out in force, I never found it overpowering.   Survivors were able to find common ground pretty easy regardless of their diagnosis. (Say 'steroids', 'chemo', or 'health insurance' to anyone and there was an instance bond/discussion).  The conference like atmosphere offered a number of sessions regarding specific cancers with discussions by doctors,  to more broad topics of interest to many – relaxation/self-hypnosis,  what's next after cancer, etc  offered by patient survivors turned advocates or other types of specialists.  I chose to attend many of the sessions and still had some time for R&R.   While most attendees were from New England, NY, PA, there were some from across the US.  There were many returning attendees who mark their calendars each year to come and bond with other survivors and/or reconnect with their families in Stowe.   I will be one of them for the 2012 event!

      For info on this year's event:  http://stowehope.org/ 

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        • May 5, 2011 at 1:46 am
        Vermont_Donna
        Participant

          Hi,

            I was there too, and it was my second year this year. As a "returnee" I stayed at an Inn two nights and the cost was $60 a night, well reduced from Stowe's usual rates. I got a 10% discount of breakfast and 15% discount on dinner coupons from the Inn also, to be used in their dining rooms. It was very nice. The bonding is instant with people from all over the place. There were a couple of things I wished they had done like last year, to improve connection. Last year fater the opening ceremnoy (we were outside) they had volunteers with signs with the names of the 31 different cancers listed and they moved to various spots on the lawn behind the chairs where we were sitting. Cancer survivors only had to walk around to find their particular cancer or cancers and meet others who had the same kind as them! Instant friendship!!

          I want to give a "shout out" to the mother who's 24 year old daughter was just diagnosed with stage 3b melanoma, from VT…we met at Dr Harlows talk on surgical care of melanoma…..could you please write me here…I was kicking myself after we got interupted that I didnt get your name and contact info.

          I am glad that you enjoyed this Weekend of Hope so much..it is truly a wonderful thing and full of HOPE. I bought a t shirt too!

          Vermont_Donna

          stage 3a

          • May 5, 2011 at 1:46 am
          Vermont_Donna
          Participant

            Hi,

              I was there too, and it was my second year this year. As a "returnee" I stayed at an Inn two nights and the cost was $60 a night, well reduced from Stowe's usual rates. I got a 10% discount of breakfast and 15% discount on dinner coupons from the Inn also, to be used in their dining rooms. It was very nice. The bonding is instant with people from all over the place. There were a couple of things I wished they had done like last year, to improve connection. Last year fater the opening ceremnoy (we were outside) they had volunteers with signs with the names of the 31 different cancers listed and they moved to various spots on the lawn behind the chairs where we were sitting. Cancer survivors only had to walk around to find their particular cancer or cancers and meet others who had the same kind as them! Instant friendship!!

            I want to give a "shout out" to the mother who's 24 year old daughter was just diagnosed with stage 3b melanoma, from VT…we met at Dr Harlows talk on surgical care of melanoma…..could you please write me here…I was kicking myself after we got interupted that I didnt get your name and contact info.

            I am glad that you enjoyed this Weekend of Hope so much..it is truly a wonderful thing and full of HOPE. I bought a t shirt too!

            Vermont_Donna

            stage 3a

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