- Cancer Support Community Greater Lehigh Valley will hold a community awareness event Saturday
- Cancer patients, their families and caregivers are invited to learn about resources available to them
- The event is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cancer Support Community in Allentown
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A health event this weekend will feature resources for people battling cancer and their families.
The Integrative Health and Wellness Holistic Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Cancer Support Community, 944 Marcon Blvd, Suite 110, Allentown.
The event is free, but donations will be accepted and will benefit the Cancer Support Community Greater Lehigh Valley.
"We are hoping that people affected by cancer, either diagnosed themselves or supporting a loved one friend or family member, will join and come, but it's open to anyone,” said Jen Sinclair, program director at Cancer Support Community Greater Lehigh Valley.
"It's a wonderful low-key setting where people can find out all this information."Kiki Peppard, Palmerton
The nonprofit provides programs at no cost to people affected by cancer.
"For nearly 20 years, we've been the complement to medical care because we believe that holistic practices and support groups and stress reduction classes are an important part of one's care when facing a cancer diagnosis,” Sinclair said.
A chance to explore
Those who attend will have the chance to explore acupuncture, aromatherapy, counseling services, lymphedema services, various massage therapies, occupational and physical therapy, reflexology and Reiki.
There also will be nutritionists and dietitians on hand as well as yoga and qigong.
“It's a wonderful low-key setting where people can find out all this information,” said Kiki Peppard, of Palmerton, Carbon County, who will teach qigong at Saturday’s fair.
“They can also meet each other: medical can meet holistic, holistic can meet medical, and understand it's not a substitute, it's integrative complementary therapies."
"We're really hopeful that not only will this provide the opportunity to educate the public on what these practices really are and how they're beneficial, but it's also a chance for some local cancer survivors and care partners to learn more about what they look like."Jen Sinclair, program director at Cancer Support Community Greater Lehigh Valley
Peppard is currently battling cancer and has had a lumpectomy, mastectomy and chemotherapy since being diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in April 2022.
Since then, it has metastasized to her skin and mutated into small cell carcinoma of the breast.
She said through such events as the community awareness event, she finds ways to connect with other people going through a similar journey.
Sinclair said it’s also a way for loved ones and caregivers to get a glimpse into the world of cancer treatments.
"We're really hopeful that not only will this provide the opportunity to educate the public on what these practices really are and how they're beneficial, but it's also a chance for some local cancer survivors and care partners to learn more about what they look like, who is offering them, how to get involved and, even more importantly, what benefits they can have,” Sinclair said.
