Encouragement, Support and Empowerment for Black Women Journeying with Cancer

(Black PR Wire) A special free online workshop "Love Letters to Our Bodies" has been specifically designed by black women to encourage, support, and empower other black women as they navigate the changes brought by cancer. The transformative Love Letters to Our Bodies virtual workshop aims to foster self-love, healing, and celebration of the body despite the adversities of cancer. The workshop will take place online on July 29 and 30, providing a safe and inclusive space for African American/black women affected by cancer to connect, share experiences, and find support.

“Cancer can bring significant physical and emotional changes, particularly affecting women as their bodies adapt to new circumstances,” said Gwendolyn Mitchell, founder of Moyo Institute, Inc., and workshop facilitator. “The Love Letters to Our Bodies workshop recognizes the unique challenges faced by black women and offers a platform to address and embrace these changes through shared stories, interactive sessions, and empowering exercises.”

Cancer is a formidable adversary that affects countless lives. African American/Black individuals have a disproportionate cancer burden. However, more and more people are surviving cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2022  there were 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States and the number is expected to increase in the years ahead. In 2022, 69% of survivors have lived 5+ years since their diagnosis; 47% of survivors have lived 10+ years since their diagnosis; and 18% of survivors have lived 20+ years since their diagnosis.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with four dynamic sisters who are thriving, including: Erin "Bionic" Brown, Para triathlete from The Bahamas, who did not let an above the knee amputation, because of bone cancer (Osteosarcoma), stop her from pursuing her dreams. Dee Manuel Cloud, Breast Cancer Recovery Strategist and Speaker, and author of “Beauty in the Breakdown: Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Disruptions.” Talaya Dendy, a 12-year Cancer Thriver, Cancer Doula, and host of Navigating Cancer Together Podcast. Tricia Griffith, author of “The Positive of My Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Pearls of Wisdom from the Patient’s Perspective.”

The women also will explore and express their personal relationship with their bodies. The workshop will provide valuable insights and practical mind/body tools for self-care, body positivity, and resilience. Participants will write Love Letters to their bodies to be printed and recorded.

“If there is one message that women will take from the workshop, it is that cancer is not a death sentence,” Mitchell continued. “And despite the changes that have happened to their bodies, they are beautiful and worthy of love.”

NATIONWIDE - ONLINE – Saturday & Sunday, July 29 & 30, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Pacific, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Mountain, 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m., Central, and 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Eastern

REGISTRATION LINK & MORE INFORMATION: https://bit.ly/MOYO-LOVE-LETTERS

Offered in partnership with Charlotte Maxwell Clinic for Integrative Cancer Care in Oakland and Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Funded by the Lloyd Symington Foundation.