LEWISTON — The Dempsey Center has announced its free December programs for cancer patients, their families and caregivers.
Programs are held at the center, 29 Lowell St., on the fifth floor unless otherwise noted.
Dempsey Center introductory meetings and tours will take place from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays, 6 to 6:45 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 12:45 p.m. Fridays. Pre-registration requested. Other times available, including Saturdays, are by appointment. Register: dempseycenter.org/programs/intro-meeting or 207-795-8250.
Life Force Yoga: From 9 to 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Participants will learn breathing practices, movement and sound to help soothe and balance the body and mind. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.
Dempsey Center annual memorial service: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. The center will honor those who have died from cancer over the past year. A short program with music, readings, support followed by light refreshments. Register: dempseycenter.org/programs/annual-memorial-service or 207-795-8250.
Fit for Life: From 11 a.m. to noon Mondays and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Under the guidance of a fitness instructor, the class will feature strengthening, balance and flexibility exercise, combined with light to moderate movement. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.
Support for Seedlings: From 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays. This children’s support group takes the best of yoga class and a support group and wraps them together for a fun, active and expressive experience for children impacted by cancer. Prescreening is required. Appropriate for ages 6-12. Register: dempseycenter.org/programs/support-for-seedlings-childrens-group or 207-795-8250.
Living with Hope: From 10:30 a.m. to noon first and third Tuesday. Discussion and guided exercises for adults who have metastatic and/or advanced cancer. Pre-assessment required. Register: 207-795-8250.
Living with Hope: 10:30 a.m. to noon first and third Tuesday. Discussion for adults who have a loved one with metastatic and/or advanced cancer. Pre-assessment required. Register: 207-795-8250.
Pilates Yoga: From 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Merges the benefits of Pilates and Yoga to develop core strength, tone muscles, increase flexibility and help reduce stress. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.
Sewing and Quilting Group: From 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 and 13, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays. Join other volunteers to create items for patients and families, including hearts of love, ports of love, hats, lap quilts and other comfort items. Register: dempseycenter.org/programs/quilting-sewing-group or 207-795-8250. FMI: dempseym@cmhc.org.
Yoga for Life: 11 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays. It is a gentle yoga class for all fitness levels. The focus is on range of motion movement and gentle stretching. No experience with yoga required. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.
YWCA Breast Cancer Encore Program: From 5 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Lewiston-Auburn YWCA. The program, designed for those who have experienced breast cancer, consists of 30 minutes of warm water, gentle exercises designed to increase range of motion, muscle strength and enhance general fitness. Participants will also have free access to the YWCA pool and any lap, family swims or water fitness programs. Appropriate for breast cancer patients/survivors. Register: dempseycenter.org/programs/ywca-breast-cancer-encore-program or 207-795-8250.
Tobacco Support Group: From 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, St. Mary’s Medical Center, 93 Campus Ave. Peer-facilitated, group is open to anyone interested in quitting tobacco. The group is offered in collaboration with Healthy Androscoggin. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.
Teen Group: From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. The group for adolescents ages 12-plus offers a comfortable environment to talk, learn more about cancer and engage in activities with other teens impacted by cancer. No registration required, drop-ins welcome.
Acupressure for Pain Nausea and Fatigue: From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. Acupressure uses gentle finger pressure over points on the body’s energetic channels to promote healing. Learn acupressure points to support health and improve comfort during cancer treatment. Appropriate for patients and caregivers. Register: 207-795-8250.
Soft and Smooooth: From 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12. A sore mouth and throat can have a significant impact on ability to eat well during cancer treatment. Staff prepares soft and nourishing foods as well as smoothies and other blender concoctions to help maintain nutrition throughout treatment. Limited to eight. Register: 207-795-8250.
Healing Tree Family Nights: From 6 to 7:30 p.m. second Tuesday. Interactive night for the whole family. Each month a different activity will be offered, giving kids and parents/guardians the opportunity to spend time together and connect with other families who have also been impacted by cancer.
• Kids in the Kitchen: Tuesday, Dec. 12. Families will work together to prepare a healthy, cancer-fighting meal.
• Creating a Family Shield: Tuesday, Jan. 9. Design and create a one-of-a-kind coat of arms that represents the family’s unique qualities.
• Family Game Night: Tuesday, Feb. 13. Play classic board games and discover some new ones, designed to encourage conversation, collaboration. Register: 207-795-8250.
Mini Spa: From 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, and 10 to 11 a.m. Fridays, Dec. 29, Jan. 26 and Feb. 23. Participants can have a warm foot soak and hand treatment in a calm, peaceful atmosphere. Seating limited to four. Register: 207-795-8250.
Caring Cards: From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. Join other volunteers to create uplifting note cards for cancer patients. Cards, stamps and materials provided. Register: dempseycenter.org/programs/caring-cards or 207-795-8250. FMI: dempseym@cmhc.org.
Look Good … Feel Better: From 10 a.m. to noon Thursdays, Dec. 21 and Feb. 15. The American Cancer Society program provides participants free makeup and teaches how to use cosmetics. For cancer patients only. Register: 207-795-8250.
The following services are available by making an appointment at the Dempsey Center at 207-795-8250 unless otherwise noted. Some may require physician approval or medical clearance to participate.
Counseling services: Oncology counselors are available for patients and caregivers/loved ones to help promote coping. Short-term grief counseling is available to those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
Legacy and Life Reflections: Professionally recorded interviews, exploring cherished memories, deepest values and lessons learned to share with others. Participants will receive a DVD of the interview. Available to patients living with advanced or metastatic cancer. Call 330-7737 to arrange an appointment.
Wigs and Head Wear Consultations: Trained staff will assist with headwear options based on goals and resource availability. Options include hats (for men and women), scarves, chemo caps and wigs.
Bra fittings for mastectomy patients: Free bra and breast prosthesis fittings. To schedule an appointment, call Chelsea at Transitions at Bedards, 207-784-3700, ext. 1107, or Joan Caron at the Medicine Shoppe, 207-783-3539.
Acupuncture: From 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Register for an acupuncture clinics by calling the center. Treatment occurs in one large room, where people relax in recliners. The clinics are open to anyone who has had a cancer diagnosis within the last two years.
Wellness for Life consultation: A wellness specialist will help establish personal fitness and wellness goals and will be available to provide ongoing support.
Nutrition consultation: Healthy eating habits and good nutrition can help patients deal with the effects of cancer, before, during and after treatment. A dietitian will tailor a nutrition plan specific to needs.
Massage therapy: It can help relieve anxiety, fatigue, musculoskeletal tension, difficulty sleeping and pain. Patients are eligible for eight massage sessions with physician approval. Primary caregivers are eligible for six sessions.
Reiki: A gentle technique intended to reduce stress and discomfort. Practitioners place their hands on, or just above the body. Patients are eligible for eight sessions. Primary caregivers are eligible for six.
All services are provided free to anyone impacted by cancer regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances or where they receive their medical treatment.
FMI: 207-795-8250, info@dempseycenter.org.
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