Program Overview  CSNM’s Family Cancer Retreat focuses on educating NM’s adult cancer patients/survivors and their primary caregivers on the process of surviving, from the difficulties of handling the initial diagnosis, through coping with therapy, through a variety of medical and social challenges relating to at-home care and the emotional issues associated with surviving. In addition to providing a temporary escape from the day-to-day challenges of living with cancer, the retreat fosters development of supportive relationships between participants that can continue in the months and years ahead. There is no other program like this in NM. Launched in 2002, the Family Cancer Retreat is now the largest general cancer education program in New Mexico and the largest program of its type in the U.S. The program is held twice each year at the Glorieta Conference Center in Glorieta, NM. During each three-day program, over 250 people from 100-120 New Mexican families coping with cancer attend sessions led by a variety of the state’s leading cancer specialists. Typical sessions include: ·  Choosing the Most Appropriate Treatment/Clinical Trial ·  New Developments in Cancer Treatment ·  "Ask the Oncologist" Panels ·  Coping with Treatment-Related Side Effects ·  Accessing Cancer-Related Information on the Internet ·  Patient and Family Communication ·  Caring for the Caregiver ·  Talking with Kids About Cancer ·  Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Therapies ·  Hospice and Palliative Care ·  Cancer-Related Legal and Insurance Issues ·  You’ve Completed Treatment – Now What? ·  Meditation, Yoga and Creativity Workshops The retreats also provide participants with the opportunity to spend time with each other in informal sessions, speaking with and learning from others who are coping with some of the same issues that they are. Supervised child care and recreational activities are provided for children and teens during the educational sessions so that parents can give their full attention to the program. To view a video overview of the Family Cancer Retreat, please click here.