Cancer support sponsors fund-raiser

Reminder Publications is cosponsoring a raffle to benefit Forest Moon, a cancer support organization out of Vermont. Reminder Publications is donating the first prize, two (2) tickets to the July 4 Red Sox/Tampa Bay game. Bus transportation is included in the prize.

The second and third prizes are a one- hour body massage donated by Spa Europa on Shaker Road in East Longmeadow. Fourth prize is a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Leone's Restaurant on Cooley Street in Springfield. Tickets are $10 each and the drawing will be on April 20. 300 tickets are available courtesy of CO-OP Printing, Inc, located on Baldwin Street in East Longmeadow. All four companies are the sponsors of the raffle.

Anyone who would like to purchase tickets for the raffle can visit The Cruise Store on 55 Maple Street, or call Phil Hegarty at 525-2223 and he will deliver them.

In addition to the raffle, Forest Moon is also cosponsoring a full-day couples' renewal retreat on April 14 from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Opportunities for Achieving Health (NOAH) Center in Great Barrington, Mass. The NOAH Center is also cosponsoring the retreat. The retreat will focus on learning to build a healthy life within one's relationship. It will provide an opportunity for self-exploration, healing, and connection.

Activities will include communication exercises, creative expression, writing, meditation, and goal setting. Forest Moon cofounder Cindy Blood, a breast cancer survivor, and Dian Shucard will facilitate the retreat. Blood has 13 years of experience in education and Shucard is a creative arts practitioner who promotes healing through imagination and the arts.

A nutritious vegetarian lunch will be provided and the cost of the retreat is $25 per couple. Couples can sign up for the retreat by calling Blood at 1-802-380-4238 or emailing her at cindy@forestmoon.org.

Forest Moon's mission is to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors. Participants on their retreats learn ways to live well with cancer and to promote healing at home. Forest Moon's programs are designed to increase hope, strength, and confidence. Cancer survivors from across the Northeast and family and friends are invited to attend the programs. Adults with any type of cancer are also welcome to attend.

Forest Moon currently offers retreats throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts each month. A retreat facility is being built in southern Vermont where future programs will occur.

For more information about Forest Moon and the services they provide visit www.forestmoon.org or call Blood at the above number.