Currently our program is on its trial run through the course of 2011, and volunteer efforts are currently concentrated on getting local fruits/vegetables to A Therapeutic Effect at the time of Jody Plymire's appointments.

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The goal of You And Me On A Comeback is to supplement where there is a need, especially in the holistic health care genre.  Below is a list of areas we would like to focus new programs or supplement support for existing programs.

Nutrition therapeutics- diets concentrated on beating cancer.

Exercise therapies - Yoga, T'ai Chi, personal training at the YMCA, etc.

Spiritual therapies - Inspirational classes, meetings, quotes or scriptures.  Intercessory prayer, spiritual healing.

Mind-Body Interventions - Meditation, art therapy, imagery, relaxation therapy, support groups, music therapy, aroma therapy.

Manipulative & Body-Based Methods - Therapeutic Massage

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One of the future goals is to provide samples and guidance through an interactive kiosk within one of the local cancer centers.  Putting the services from the community at easier access and understanding for the patient.  

Volunteers for this type of kiosk can be broken down into three main categories: 
Level 1 - General Help / Non Professional
Level 2 - Pre-Professionals / Grad Students
Level 3 - Professionals

General Help - wanting to help at the "Comeback Kiosk" by providing information, guidance or simply spending time with a patient.  Also there will be opportunities helping with fundraisers.

Musicians- Wanting to play small sets of uplifting music at the kiosk or have small concerts for cancer patients away from the center.

Massage Therapy Graduate Students - to give examples at the kiosk.

Physical Therapy Graduate Students/Physical Trainers- to give guidance at the kiosk by possibly providing exercises the patient could do at home.

        

Survivor Meeting Leaders - person with experience in survivor group meetings, and can lead discussions.

Level 3 Volunteers (Professionals)

Cooks/Chefs - willing to prepare healthy snacks and meals for the kiosk or willing to put on cooking classes during the day or after hours.  (note that all food related activities will  have to follow strict guidelines).

Group activity leaders - such as dance teachers, business teachers, Bible teachers, librarians, YOGA instructors, artists, etc.

Certified Psychologists that specialize in Mind-Body Interventions - Providing short sessions of meditation, relaxation therapy and imagery at the kiosk for the family and patient as well as guiding them toward other sessions after hours or away from the center.

Spiritual counselors / Pastors / Priests - that know the foundations of Christianity and can be spiritual support for the patient with prayer and be able to use the example of Jesus to help with guidance and establishment of loving one's neighbor and forgiveness.  Can supply inspirational quotes/scriptures at the kiosk as well as guide toward lessons either during the day or after hours.

There are already great opportunities to volunteer with the local American Cancer Society with programs such as:

"Road To Recovery"- Driving a cancer patient to their hospital for treatments.
"Locks of Love" - Donating  your hair to make wigs for cancer patients.
Hope Lodge - A place for a patient and their family to stay to avoid long travels to appointments.
Cancer Survivors Network - A community of people who share how cancer's touched them.
Man To Man - A support and education program for those effected by prostate cancer.
Reach To Recovery - Support and education.
I Can Cope - cancer education for patient and care givers.
Look Good...Feel Better - Free service.  Certified Cosmetologists teach cancer patients of all ages cosmetic techniques to counteract appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

jedmorris@youandmeonacomeback.org

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