Weeklong residential retreats for adults seeking physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing in the face of cancer.
Our goal is to help participants make life-affirming changes by providing empowering tools and knowledge in a safe and caring community of others facing a cancer diagnosis.
The
Cancer Help Program retreat (CHP) is a place to explore the issues and choices that
people with life-threatening illness encounter. We
aim to provide experiential healing options paired with the highest quality
small-group support program for people with cancer.
The Cancer Help Program is a non-medical, educational, hands-on retreat for patients and sometimes their primary caregivers. It is not a cancer therapy or treatment program.
CHP residential retreats offer:
In an intimate setting with skilled professional staff (One-to-one participant to staff ratio—limited to 8-9 participants). CHP residential retreats offer:
- A retreat from the stresses of daily life with a cancer diagnosis
- An opportunity to explore your unique choices in healing
- A nurturing environment for mind, body, and spirit
- Skills and tools for your continuing journey
- Community and the unique support of people who are going through a similar experience
Experience the healing power of group support, yoga, meditation, imagery and other relaxation techniques; gourmet whole foods meals; expressive arts and massage in a peaceful, rural setting just outside Washington DC
Learn more about Cancer Help Program Retreats and the Application Process
Cancer Help Program History
For more than 15 years, Smith Center’s residential retreats have provided an opportunity to explore the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of healing with cancer.
Smith Center is the East Coast affiliate of “Commonweal Cancer Help Program”, the first and foremost residential retreat program for people living with cancer, founded by MacArthur fellow Michael Lerner and author Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, and featured in Bill Moyers’ PBS series "Healing and the Mind."
