Wellness

Wellness and mindfulness are two key areas that adolescent and young adults (AYA) cancer patients need significant support in.

Stress, anxiety and poor nutrition are common among people undergoing treatment for cancer. Patients and their families are often unaware that relaxation, meditation, and exercise may increase survivorship. In addition, many patients and families do not have regular access to foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Our Wellness concept is research based. Survivorship and quality of life are improved through good nutrition, relaxation, meditation and exercise.

We have implemented three programs that introduce the Wellness concept to cancer patients and their families:
Be Calm & Stay Strong Wellness KIts, Smoothie Days, and Yoga Nidra Meditation Class with Momma G.

Be Calm & Stay Strong Wellness Kits

We distribute Be Calm & Stay Strong Wellness Kits to AYA cancer patients through our connections with partnering oncology teams.

What is the Be Calm & Stay Strong Wellness Kit?

The Be Calm & Stay Strong Wellness Kit consists of tools to encourage good health and positive spirit. These tools include meditation and relaxation music, gift cards, ear buds, a battery operated votive candle, a portable aromatherapy infuser and lavender essential oil, an exercise band, medicine box, hand cream, tissues, hand sanitizer, Scentsy Travel tin, National Institute of Cancer Research nutritional information, books and encouragement and an issue of Elephants and Tea The Magazine. All packaged in a spacious and sturdy canvas bag.

Each bag costs $125 but are free to patients in active treatment.

So far in 2022, we have packed 200 Wellness Kits to send to AYA patients at the following hospitals: Thank you to our friends at Genomoncology who helped us pack our Wellness Kits in record time this year!

  • University Hospital – Cleveland, Ohio
  • Cleveland Clinic – Cleveland, Ohio
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Columbus, Ohio
  • MD Anderson Hospital – Houston, Texas
  • Upstate Cancer Center – New York
  • Roswell Park Cancer Center – Buffalo, New York
  • Arkansas Children’s Hospital
  • University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
  • The University of Cincinnati

If someone you know is 15 to 40 years of age and in Active Treatment for Cancer, please contact us. We will need the patients name, DOB, name and contact information of social worker and hospital. Again, only patients in active treatment. Please do not contact us if the patient is out of treatment.

Smoothie Day

The Smoothie Day Program provides a nutritious snack and a healthy break from the world of cancer. SGCF funds the cost of yogurt and fresh fruit to create smoothies for patients and families. In addition, through our contacts at Vitamix, two powerful blenders were donated to the Hematology Oncology (HEMONC) floor at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

Twice a month hospital staff members create delicious smoothies for patients and families.

Meditation Class with Momma G

Angie Giallourakis (aka Momma G) leads a series of classes per year on yoga nidra meditation. Angie is a certified yoga nidra instructor. Each quarter, we host 4-hour long digital sessions lead by Angie for anyone in the AYA cancer community (patients, survivors, caregivers, loved ones, medical professionals, etc.) This is a collaboration with our partners at Cactus Cancer Society.

To see when the next class is and to sign up click here.

To learn more about our wellness programs or to contribute to our efforts, please contact our Executive Director Nick Giallourakis at nick@elephantsandtea.com for more information or visit our donation page to give wellness!