Life Beyond Cancer's 12th annual retreat from November 18 to 20

Austin, Texas: Some 150 cancer survivors, health care providers and patient advocates will discover ways to inspire, empower and motivate those to a Life Beyond Cancer, November 18 to 20 at the Lakeway Resort and Spa.

The retreat draws women survivors of all ages, types of cancer, as well as ethnic, and socio economic background. The focus of the 12th annual retreat is "Getting Well and Living Well."

Speakers and program highlights include:

Wendy S. Harpham, M.D., a doctor of internal medicine and survivor of recurring indolent lymphoma is the keynote speaker. Dr. Harpham will focus on defining survivor vs. healthy survivor and cure vs. heal. Her message will inspire survivors on how they can overcome obstacles to happiness. Dr. Harpham has written seven books on survivorship, including After Cancer, When a Parent has Cancer, and Happiness in a Storm. Her most recent book, Only 10 Seconds to Care, focuses on words and actions that help both patients and clinicians to strengthen clinician-patient bonds. She writes a regular column—"View from the Other Side of the Stethoscope"—in Oncology Times, and hosts an active blog entitled "Dr. Wendy Harpham on Healthy Survivorship."

Survivorship Planning: Michelle O'Brien, RN, MSN, Robert Fisher, MD, medical oncologist and Jody Schoger will discuss the critical need for developing survivorship programs to address the psycho social, financial and medical issues that survivors face after they finish treatment. Each survivor will have an opportunity to develop their own care plan to take home after the retreat.

Adjusting to a New Normal: April Capil Green MBA, author and triple negative breast cancer survivor will walk through her Recipe for Lemonade - with strategies on crisis management, taking responsibility for one's decisions, ways to regroup when you find yourself "off track" and more. Adjusting to the New Normal is about helping others to cultivate habits for successful, emotional change-management.

Clinical and Survivor Sessions on Post Cancer Treatment Care will address family issues, financial challenges, prevention and self management as well as nutrition and exercise.

End of Life and Letting Go, Tani Bhati, RN, CT, author and producer of Living Through Dying - The Struggle for Grace, uncovers the physical changes, psychosocial needs for closure and the mysteries associated with dying.

Advocacy and Giving Back to the Community, Tamika Felder, survivor and advocate/founder of Tamika and Friends, shares her personal experience - inspiring and teaching others about acceptance, getting the support they need and creating their blueprint for a life beyond cancer.

This retreat is one program of the Life Beyond Cancer Foundation. The Life Beyond Cancer Foundation helps provide greater access to the opportunities, innovations and support available through our Providers for Survivors network. This allows us to take action locally, where 80 percent of care happens. In addition, we bring new advancements and opportunities from the national level to the local community. The result is a compassionate continuum of care focused on enhancing survivorship and improving outcomes.