• Live Laugh Learn Past Session – Western Provinces

Past sessions

Calgary

Sunday May 3, 2009 (The Live Laugh Learn launch)
Creating Community and Finding Support That Fits
Dr. Ardythe E. Taylor, Medical Director and Founder, Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation.

Learn about the value of connecting with other young women, processing your emotions and finding programs that suit your unique needs.

Sunday June 7, 2009
The Naturopathic Approach to Better Living with Cancer
Dr. Matt Pyatt, Naturopathic Doctor, Grassroots Naturopathic Medicine Health Clinic

Learn how to improve your health & wellbeing during and post treatment, and gain a new understanding of how hormonal and ph balances relate to cancer in young women.

Sunday July 19, 2009
Mat & Chat

Indulge yourself in a gentle yoga session, designed to calm your mind, relax your body and enhance your connectedness, inside and out.

Sunday September 13, 2009
What’s New in Research?
Dr. Marc Webster, Medical Oncologist, Tom Baker Cancer Centre

Get the skinny on the newest research and treatment options for young women with breast cancer.

Sunday October 25, 2009
The Fertility Factor
Dr. Joseph O’Keane, MB, FRCSC - Regional Fertility Program

Get the 411 on how breast cancer can affect fertility in young women, as well as the latest discoveries on fertility preservation, pregnancy after breast cancer and much more.

Sunday, November 22, 2009
Let’s Talk About Sex!
Dr. Elu Thompson, Gynecologist, Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about sex and breast cancer but were too afraid to ask. This must-attend event delves deep into such hot-button issues as body image, sexuality, intimacy and aphrodisiacs, from diagnosis through recovery.

Sunday, January 31, 2010
Eastern Wisdom & Treatments for Breast Cancer
Dr. Jagdeep Johal, Traditional Chinese Medical Doctor, Johal Health Centre

Learn about Eastern medical understandings of breast cancer, how it grows & what to do about it. Dr. Johal will share the latest info about energy medicine, the impact of stress on cancer and the many different approaches available to battle breast cancer naturally as well as medically.

Sunday, February 28, 2010
For the Love of Food! A path to optimum wellness through nutrition
Amy Bondar, Nutritionist & Author

Learn about the benefits of nutrition to achieve optimum health during breast cancer treatment and recovery. Amy Bondar, leading expert on the Best Breast Diet, will share her tips for a breast healthy nutritional lifestyle and empower you to master your understanding of the best foods and choices your unique body needs to assist you in reaching your greatest level of health.

Sunday, March 28, 2010
Breast Reconstruction: Understanding the Options
Dr. W. DeHaas, Plastic Surgeon

Whether you are exploring your initial breast reconstruction options or secondary procedures, this session will help you better understand the latest advances in breast reconstruction as well as which option might be most appropriate for you. Dr. DeHaas will provide up-to-date information on an range of techniques and be on hand to answer any questions.

Sunday, April 25, 2010
Style Up for Spring
DevaDave, Hair Stylist & Alicja Wilkosz, Makeup Artist

Combat the chemo fx by learning how to shimmer and shine this Spring. At this exclusive primp-and-prep session you’ll get the hottest, up-to-the-minute makeup tips for your brows, lashes and overall complexion, as well as the latest on organic skin care, chic hair styling, fabulous wigs and designer-inspired wig alternatives – whatever you need to look your best, during and after treatment.

Sunday May 30, 2010
Sweat the Big Stuff: The benefits of exercise during breast cancer
Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, Associate Professor in Exercise and Health Psychology, Culos-Reed Health & Wellness Lab

Learning about the remarkable impact exercise can have on prevention, survival, symptoms and quality of life is enough to get you pumped and primed for Summer.

Sunday June 13, 2010
Moving Forward: Navigating your emotions
Maureen Angen, Psychologist, Calgary Psychology Group

Learn to navigate your changing emotional landscape and understand why your perspective, needs, relationships and life goals may have been affected by an experience with breast cancer. Explore your fears & hopes in a supportive environment and learn how to move forward. It’s time to get back to being you!

Sunday July 18th, 2010
Stretch Yourself: Yoga for inner peace & outer strength
Suzette O’Bryne, Flow Training and Yoga

Indulge yourself in a gentle yoga session, designed to calm you mind, relax your body and enhance your connectedness, inside and out.

Sunday, September 26, 2010
New Day, New Life: Rediscover a fulfilling life during & after breast cancer
Jamie Buchan, Life Coach

A breast cancer diagnosis can sometimes leave you wondering, “What now?  What’s my purpose?”  Get a dose of inspiration and practical tips from a dynamic life coach to help you prioritize your values & figure out what’s important to you.  Discover new aspects of yourself and move forward with new energy.

Sunday, October 24, 2010
Be Zen: Mindfulness meditation for health & well being
Michael Speca, Psychologist, Tom Baker Cancer Centre

Mindfulness meditation improves coping ability, immune function and quality of life during and after cancer treatment.  Join us for a relaxing guided meditation, practice loving kindness and take home simple exercises to quiet the mind.

Sunday, December 12, 2010
Shimmer & Shine for the Season
Saundra Shapiro, Compassionate Beauty and Alicja Wilkosz, Makeup Artist

Start the holiday season in style with this special girls’ night in filled with glam makeup tips, skin care, sexy post-surgery swimwear, funky fashion solutions & more. Join us for some indulgent treats, holiday cheer and get festive!

Sunday, January 30, 2011
Talking to children about breast cancer
Dr. Christine Korol, Psychologist

Cancer is tough. It can be even harder if you are trying to help kids understand and cope with everything that is happening around them. Join us and learn practical strategies to help your kids through your cancer diagnosis and anything else that life might throw at them. Discover that kids can cope with very difficult situations (with a little help) and leave with a good grasp on how and what to say to them.

Sunday, February 27, 2011
Dance Like No One Is Watching
Rocky Mejia, Choreographer & Hip Hop Dance Teacher Extraordinaire

Movement and exercise play a key role in re-gaining and maintaining optimum health. When you add in music, laughter and community, you have a complete recipe for overcoming those winter blahs. Join Rocky and the Rethink gang for a lesson in hip hop & a funky evening of getting your groove on.

Sunday, April 3, 2011
Tired of Feeling Tired! Managing Cancer-related Fatigue
Dr. Ardythe E. Taylor, Medical Director and Founder, Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation

Cancer related fatigue is the number one reported symptom following breast cancer diagnosis treatment.  The effects of fatigue can have a huge impact on quality of life; impacting relationships, daily routine and the strength to cope. Join Dr. Ardythe Taylor to hear how you can optimize recovering from your fatigue. There ARE ways to improve these symptoms – come and find out how!

Sunday May 1, 2011
Healing through creative expression
Christine Francoeur, creative writing facilitator & Beverly Cardinal, Orange Glow Photography

Sharing our stories can be cathartic and empowering, and young women experiencing breast cancer can benefit from the healing power of creative expression. Join Christine and Beverly to learn fun ways to journal or write creatively, and how to take more meaningful and technically interesting photos. Combined, these tools will help you create a beautiful documentation of a life that you love.

Sunday, May 29, 2011
Naturopathy & Breast Cancer – Dispelling Myths
Dr. Matt Pyatt, Naturopathic Doctor, Grassroots Naturopathic Medicine Health Clinic

Healing can be both an art and a science. Join this interactive discussion and empower yourself to decipher fact from fiction about pH, soy and turmeric/curcumin. Take home a ‘Top 5’ list to improve overall health and to stay balanced on your breast cancer journey.

Sunday June 26, 2011
Let’s Talk About Sex!
Dr. Andrea Beck, PhD Clinical Psychology, Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation

Maintaining intimacy in relationships is critical to quality of life, yet the sexual needs of a woman with breast cancer are often not addressed in the clinical setting. This must-attend event delves deep into such hot-button issues as self-image, physical changes, and sexuality – from diagnosis through recovery.

Sunday August 21, 2011
Blissful Breathing: Yoga for the body, mind & soul
Tara Simonton, Yoga Teacher

Discover how yoga can enhance physical and mental wellness, regardless of where you are on your breast cancer journey. Relax and revel in this gentle session, and learn techniques for incorporating more strength, peace and vitality into your daily life.

Sunday, September 25, 2011
Reiki: Demystifying an ancient Eastern healing practice
Monique Denault, Reiki Master & Owner of Ki-Stone Wellness Inc.

Reiki is currently receiving a lot of attention in modern medicine as a complement to conventional treatment for a variety of illnesses.  Join us to learn about this gentle and powerful ancient Japanese healing art that channels energy through the hands to support the immune system for relaxation, growth and healing on all levels.

Sunday, October 23, 2011
Eat Well. Live Well. Optimum wellness through nutrition
Dawn Peacock, Dietician

Learn about what and how to eat to achieve optimum health during treatment and recovery. Dawn Peacock will share her knowledge of balancing your diet with immune boosting foods and offer suggestions on how to easily incorporate them into every day meals and snacks. Expand your understanding of the best food choices your body needs to assist you in reaching your greatest level of health.

Sunday, November 27, 2011
Quieting the Worrying Mind: techniques to relieve cancer-related anxiety
Dr. Christine Korol, Psychologist

A cancer diagnosis can lead to feelings of uncertainty and worry.  When faced with the unknown, our imaginations can become overwhelming and intrusive. Fortunately, there are many strategies to manage anxiety and quiet the mind. Join us to learn how to turn down the worry and pump up the joy in your daily life.

Saturday, December 10, 2011
Get Your Holiday Glow On!
Kerissa Nielsen, Nielsen Homeopathic & Integrative Clinic

Kick off the chaotic holiday season with a girly day of self-care! Join Kerissa and her crew at the Nielsen Clinic for complimentary therapies, organic manicures, a yoga class, talks on nutrition and wellness, a chance to try out breast thermography, and tasty treats! Get your glow on while connecting with other gals going through it. Registration (by the morning of Dec. 1st) is a must for this event…don’t miss it!

Sunday, January 22, 2012
Acupuncture for Emotional Balance and Release
Dr. Jagdeep Johal, Traditional Chinese Medical Doctor, Johal Health Centre

Learn about Eastern medical understandings of breast cancer, how it grows & what you can do about it. Dr. Johal will share his knowledge surrounding emotional healing, shock and letting go. Learn how this unique style of healing can bring ease and joy into your life, and take home some easy acupressure tips for breast cancer self-care!

Sunday February 26, 2012
Movement is a Medicine: The benefits of exercise during breast cancer
Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, Associate Professor in Exercise and Health Psychology, Culos-Reed Health & Wellness Lab

Join us to learn about the remarkable impact exercise can have on prevention, survival, symptoms and quality of life – just a few more reasons to warm up this Winter!

Sunday March 18, 2012
The New Normal:  Life After Cancer
Dr. Ardythe E. Taylor

Have you felt frustrated trying to get back to your “old life” following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment? You are not alone. The healing journey can include the physical, mental, emotional, relational & spiritual aspects of your life. Please join Dr. Taylor to learn how to be kinder to yourself, and rethink your “new normal”!

Sunday April 22, 2012
Go with the Flow: Yoga for inner peace & outer strength
Yoga Passage

Indulge yourself in a gentle yoga session, designed to calm you mind, relax your body and enhance your connectedness, inside and out.

Sunday May 27, 2012
A very special Live Laugh Learn: The Healthy Breast Program is coming to Calgary!
Sat Dharam Kaur ND - Naturopathic Doctor, Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher & Healthy Breast Educator

For this month’s Live Laugh Learn, Rethink Breast Cancer will fully sponsor your attendance to this unique upcoming workshop:

Learn practical tools to optimize your health based on Sat Dharam Kaur’s Healthy Breast Program as described in her bestselling book, “The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Breast Cancer”. This training was created as a tool to help women both reduce their risk and recover from breast cancer using Kundalini Yoga, diet and detoxification, specific supplements, psychological and spiritual exercises and environmental activism. Spaces are limited, so register as soon as you have fully confirmed your availability. For more information please visit: www.mammalive.net

This introductory workshop will cover:
✦ A summary of the Healthy Breast Diet
✦ Lifestyle strategies for breast and whole body health
✦ Top 10 supplements for breast health
✦ Kundalini Yoga exercises, breath work and meditations for breast and whole body health

Sunday September 30, 2012
Oncology: New treatment options and research studies in breast cancer
Dr. Sasha Lupichuk, Medical Oncologist, Tom Baker Cancer Centre

Wondering what’s the latest in breast cancer research and treatment options? Dr. Lupichuk knows your needs are unique, and that your treatment options should be too.  Join us to learn about the key achievements and future direction of breast cancer research.

Sunday October 21, 2012
Gentle Shift: Changing thoughts to change your life
Tracy Sutton, MSc, Registered Psychologist- Spiral Way Counselling

Join us for an evening of exploration and discussion about the gentle shifts you can make to create more of what you want in your life. From considering how your thoughts and actions influence your lived experience, to honoring your inner wisdom – take some time to tend to yourself and reorient to your desires!

Sunday November 18, 2012
Lifting the Fog:  Coping with cancer related brain fog
Greg Lucier, Brain Fog Program leader at Wellspring Calgary & Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience at University of Calgary

Following a cancer diagnosis and treatment, have you noticed changes to your memory, organization, word finding, efficiency and overall well-being?  You are not alone!  Join us to learn about cancer related brain fog (often called “chemo brain”) and take home tips & techniques to deal with it.

Sunday December 2, 2012
Shimmer & Shine for the Season
Cancer Chic

Kick-off the festive season in style by joining us with the gals from Cancer Chic for an evening of “green” makeup demos, tasty treats and super-stuffed goody bags! There will be tips galore for getting your glow on for the holidays, no matter where you are in the breast cancer journey. Cancer Chic focuses on products that are health conscious and stylish – come out and celebrate with us!

Sunday, January 20, 2013
Dance in the New Year!
Rocky Mejia, Choreographer & Hip Hop Dance Teacher Extraordinaire

Movement and exercise play a key role in re-gaining and maintaining optimum health. When you add in music, laughter and community, you have a complete recipe for overcoming those winter blahs. Join Rocky and the Rethink gang for a lesson in hip hop & a funky evening of getting your groove on.

Sunday, February 10, 2013
Let’s Talk About Sex!
Dr. Andrea Beck, PhD Clinical Psychology, Breast Cancer Supportive Care Foundation

Maintaining intimacy in relationships is critical to quality of life, yet the sexual needs of women with breast cancer are often not addressed in a clinical setting. This must-attend event delves deep into such hot-button issues as self-image, physical changes, and sexuality – from diagnosis through recovery.

Sunday, March 17, 2013
Breast Reconstruction: Understanding the Options
Dr. W. DeHaas, Plastic Surgeon

Whether you are exploring your initial breast reconstruction options or secondary procedures, this session will help you better understand the latest advances in breast reconstruction as well as which option might be most appropriate for you. Dr. DeHaas will provide up-to-date information on a range of reconstructive surgeries and be on hand to answer any questions.

Sunday, April 14, 2013
Hands-on Healing: Therapies for Post-Treatment
Merle Morton B.Sc.P.T – Women’s Health Consultant & Owner, CCC Physiotherapy

Experiencing the not-so-comfortable physical effects of breast cancer treatments? You’ll leave with some easy take-home exercises that will help you discover more freedom and fluidity in your movements.

Vancouver

Sunday, April 29, 2012
The Live Laugh Learn LAUNCH!
Photography with Tamara Taggart & Jonathon Cruz, makeup provided by Physician’s Formula

Kick-off the Spring season in style by joining us at the Vancouver Live Laugh Learn LAUNCH! Enjoy some tasty treats while meeting other young women in your community who have experienced breast cancer. Make-up artists and stylists will help you shimmer, shine & feel your best – while our photographers extraordinaire, Jonathon Cruz & CTV’s Tamara Taggart, will capture the glamorous result for inspiration during those not-so-fabulous weeks, no matter where you are in the breast cancer journey. Join the fun and learn about how Rethink’s programs for young women can help support you on your cancer journey.

Sunday, May 27, 2012
A Beautiful State of Mind – Using Art & Meditation as tools in coping during the Cancer Journey
Sara Prins Hankinson, Art Therapist & Melanie McDonald, Social Worker and Counselor –BC Cancer Agency

Creative therapeutics can help express thoughts and feelings that may be otherwise be difficult to articulate when dealing with cancer. Join Sara and Melanie to learn how art therapy and meditation techniques can improve physical and mental well-being during treatment and recovery for breast cancer. Feel free to bring along some small samples of words or images that are important to you if you’d like to incorporate these in your artwork. Prepare to contemplate, create and connect!

Sunday September 30, 2012
Oncology: New treatment options and research studies in breast cancer
Dr. Karen Gelmon, Senior Scientist and Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Centre

Wondering what’s the latest in breast cancer research and treatment options? Dr. Gelmon believes “cancer is not just about tumours—it’s about the people who develop cancer.”  Join us to learn about the key achievements and future direction of breast cancer research.

Sunday October 28, 2012
Movement is a Medicine: The benefits of exercise during breast cancer
Janet Sprague, CDT/MLD Lymphedema Therapy, Yoga Teacher (YTT200) – Keary Physiotherapy Clinic

Join us to learn about the remarkable impact exercise can have on risk reduction, survival, symptoms and quality of life during any stage of the breast cancer journey. Janet also has extensive knowledge about how to recognize early signs & symptoms of lymphedema, and proper care techniques for management. The more you know, the more you flow! ** Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat.

Sunday December 2, 2012
Live Laugh Learn Holiday Party: Dreaming Big for the New Year!
Terri Wingham – A Fresh Chapter

Wondering how to pick up the pieces and move forward after breast cancer treatment ends? Although you may not be ready to give up all of your possessions and travel the world, Terri  is excited to share stories from the road as well as talk about what your fresh chapter might look like. Join us at our festive Live Laugh Learn Holiday party for an interactive talk on Big Hairy Audacious Post-Cancer Dreams – just in time for those New Year’s resolutions!

Sunday January 27, 2013
Feed Life, Starve Cancer
Eden MacDonald, Nutritionist & Culinary Artist

You’ve heard about foods with cancer-fighting properties, but how on Earth do you find them and use them? Join Eden to learn more about boosting your immune system and “starving cancer” with delicious plant-based foods, and take home tips that will give you the confidence to take control of your health without giving up the foods you love (psst…chocolate is GOOD for you!).

Sunday March 3, 2013
Blissful Breathing: Yoga for the body, mind & soul
Danielle Schroeder – Clinical Counsellor and Restorative Yoga Teacher, Callanish Society

Discover how yoga can enhance physical and mental wellness, regardless of where you are on your breast cancer journey. Relax and revel in this gentle session, and learn techniques for incorporating more strength, peace and vitality into your daily life. Please wear comfortable clothing, and bring a yoga mat, blanket & pillow/bolster.

Sunday April 14, 2013
Reconstruction
Dr. Peter Lennox

Whether you are exploring your initial breast reconstruction options or secondary procedures, this session will help you better understand the latest advances in breast reconstruction as well as which option might be most appropriate for you. Dr. Lennox will provide up-to-date information on a range of reconstructive surgeries and be on hand to answer any questions.

Our monthly get-together for gals going through it.