Cancer Complementary Therapies

The Stanislaus Arts Council hosts a COMPLEMENTARY ART CLASS for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in partnership with Memorial Medical Center. The classes meet weekly and culminate a year of classes with an exhibition each November.  For further information Email Us

Discover emotional and physical health benefits as we share our stories and gain a sense of clarity and control.

Register for classes online at sutterhealth.org/mmc-ct-class-registration. For more information on these classes, call the Stanislaus Arts Council at 209-535-2226.

These programs have been made possible by a grant from Memorial Medical Center to the Stanislaus Arts Council.

Art

Expressing yourself through art can unlock emotions and ideas, as well as bring clarity and definition to your life experiences. No previous art experience is needed.

Photography

This class explores the art of photography and teaches you how to tell a story through an image. We'll share life experiences, field trip adventures and use photography to help change our perspective and refocus our lives.

Writing

Writing about your journey and sharing it with others can be a deeply meaningful activity. This kind of writing is a unique experience that affords a chance to create prose, poetry and fiction. Together, we write about remembered moments, hopes, heartaches and dreams.

Gardening

If you love to care for a garden, enjoy nature or explore new projects and places, this is the perfect program for you. Classes, projects and opportunities are offered throughout the year.

Restorative Functional Fitness (Cancer Survivors Only)

This exercise program improves strength, balance, flexibility and endurance through fitness techniques to help the body move naturally when performing everyday activities. All movements can be adjusted to each person's needs - seated or standing. The class's goal is to recondition the body and to minimize the effects of treatment in a friendly atmosphere with fellow cancer survivors.

The class includes.

  • Core-strengthening exercises

  • Relaxation techniques for stress reduction

  • Resistance-training techniques

Movement

Stretching, strengthening the body and moving to music can help you feel better and maintain a healthier physical and emotional self. Please wear comfortable clothing to this fun and energetic class. It's designed to support all participants at their current levels of comfort and physical activity. We recommend you bring a yoga mat and a water bottle.

Team Challenge

Our Team Challenge program is a walking group for cancer survivors, their caregivers and supporters with meeting times and locations that vary throughout the year. Research suggests that exercise, when carefully monitored, is a safe and powerful tool to improve the health and quality of life for cancer patients during and after treatment. Walking is a great way for cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters to connect with each other while improving strength and endurance.

Music

Whether you're a music lover or a music maker, this gathering is a place where you'll feel at home and be able to engage the heart and stir the spirit. Through listening, exploring and creating music together, we'll experience the comfort, excitement, emotion and energy that music evokes. Ukuleles are available for participants thanks to generous donations from the community to Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Self-Care for the Cancer Journey and Beyond

Finding yourself on a cancer journey as a patient or a caregiver can be one of the most challenging things you've ever faced. This five-session class offers tools to help you navigate the journey and move toward health and wellness. We explore the effects of stress on the body, ways to meet it and self-care practices. Join us and stock up your toolbox.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with cancer? Are you looking for support, encouragement and hope? Did you finish cancer treatment? Are you wondering what's next?

Memorial Medical Center's Complementary Therapy Program was created to address the needs of the whole person. Complementary therapies, when used along with medical therapies, may help manage cancer symptoms, minimize adverse effects of cancer treatment and improve quality of life. These programs are for cancer survivors and their family members, caregiver or support person.

Explore therapies that interest you and find facilitators who understand and encourage you. You will also find the camaraderie of others on the same path. Studies show that exercise is safe for most people with cancer and can have many benefits. Exercise can decrease fatigue and improve physical fitness, strength, quality of life and body image. Take the first step on the journey in these fitness programs designed for cancer survivors.

Register for classes online at sutterhealth.org/mmc-ct-class-registration.

For more information, contact Memorial Medical Center's Cancer Services at 209-569-7789.