BRATTLEBORO — Forest Moon: Celebrating Cancer Survivorship seeks to increase its public presence and to expand its free support programs to meet the increased emotional needs of cancer survivors in the region.
After being based in home offices for the first eight years of its development, the nonprofit has opened an office at 38 Park Place.
Forest Moon will also hire a new executive director and executive assistant and will complete a $50,000 Catalyst Campaign by June 1.
Demand for the organization's programs has been increasing among survivors and healthcare professionals, according to Cindy Parker Blood, executive director and co-founder.
Forest Moon has been offering free retreats and workshops for individuals with any type or stage of cancer and their loved ones since 2006. Founded in 2004 by Blood and her husband, Phil, both cancer survivors, Forest Moon addresses the unmet emotional and spiritual needs of cancer survivors.
With an evidence-based curriculum, including writing workshops, yoga, meditation, art therapy, healthy cooking, and outdoor recreation, Forest Moon held programs on 75 days in 2011, serving more than 300 from 100 towns in rural Vermont, New Hampshire, and western Massachusetts. Many programs are offered on weekends and evenings for those who work or live rurally.
Forest Moon works in partnership with the Comprehensive Breast Care Program at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center's Oncology Department, Cancer Connection, Cardigan Mountain School, and the Greenfield YMCA to provide some of its programs and receives referrals from multiple cancer centers in New England.
For more information on Forest Moon programs, the job openings, fundraising events, volunteering, or the Catalyst Campaign, contact Cindy Blood at cindy@forestmoon.org or 802-256-1368, or visit Forestmoon.org or Facebook.