Embracing transformation together through gentle yoga, guided meditation, & art therapy.
Autumn Virtual Health & Wellness Retreat:
Take some time to enjoy the changing seasons at our Autumn Virtual Wellness Retreat* on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, from 8:15 AM to 12:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time. The theme of the retreat is "Transformation." REGISTRATION closes September 16th 2026.
Navigating life with neuroendocrine cancer—whether as a patient or a supporter—can often feel overwhelming and isolating due to the unique challenges of this rare condition. This retreat offers a welcome opportunity to step away and center your focus beyond the diagnosis.
This supportive, interactive experience brings together gentle movement, mindfulness, and creative expression. Together, we will explore the meaningful personal transformations—emotional, mental, social, and behavioral—that emerge along the way.
The retreat will take place on Zoom (a two-way stream), meaning everyone will be able to see and interact with one another during the activities.
Retreat Activities:
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Chair Yoga with Julie Wolinsky: Gentle and accessible yoga for all levels, focusing on breath and movement.
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Therapeutic Art with Angie Madama: Transform & express your creative curiosity through a guided artwork creation.
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Guided Meditation with Ruth Q. Wolever, PhD, NDC-HWC: Be mindful and tranquil during a guided meditation session.
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Reflections, Connections & Sharing facilitated by Victoria Ramirez ACHP-SW
This special event* is offered at no charge to neuroendocrine cancer patients and caregivers. *Limited spots are available.
*Please note that registration does not guarantee a reserved spot. To help prepare for the art therapy session, please ensure you reply to emails from Heather Davis at Heather@NCF.net. Participants attending from outside the United States will require special accommodations. Registration closes 9/16/26.
If your plans change and you are unable to attend, kindly provide at least 72 hours' notice. .
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS & FACILITATORS
JULIE WOLINSKY
Registered Yoga Teacher
Julie Wolinsky is an Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher who has taught a variety of in-person and online yoga formats, including Chair Yoga, Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Yoga with Weights and Cardio, and Yin Yoga, for nearly ten years. Passionate about helping others to live their healthiest and happiest lives, Julie has taught yoga to cancer patients, senior citizens, those in wheelchairs, as well as professional athletes and teenagers. She is certified in Reiki Second Degree Natural Healing, and is an ICF certified professional coach.
With a MBA from Harvard Business School, her professional background is in international development, business strategy and entrepreneurship, and includes living and working in Spain and Latin America. She loves languages and has taught yoga in Spanish and Farsi.
As someone who has also navigated cancer and treatment herself, Julie brings a personal understanding of the importance of movement, mindfulness, and connection during challenging times. Her experience has deepened her belief that movement and mindfulness can be powerful tools for supporting physical and emotional well-being.
ANGIE MADAMA
Founder, Reach HeART
Angie Madama founded Reach HeART in March 2020, when the pandemic began, originally offering art lessons for kids through Zoom that combined her love of the arts with mindfulness — what she prefers to call "presentfulness." Her intention was to create a space that felt safe to create in, both physically and emotionally, while offering an outlet for social connection and a sense of being tied to community through art.
Since then, Reach HeART has grown alongside Angie herself. At the heart of her work now is a simple but powerful idea: some of our deepest truths aren't things we're taught, but things we already carry and simply need a way to access. She builds projects around intangible concepts and creates a guided space for participants to discover what these concepts mean through their own lens, with art as the vehicle. What emerges is a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece of art that reflects their own wisdom back to them, and continues to serve as a guide long after the project is complete. She is currently expanding Reach HeART into a full facilitation practice.
Her background is as layered as her work: a degree in Technical Theatre (Costume and Scene Design), years in the entertainment industry, and a longstanding yoga practice. She has a constant thirst for creativity and learning, especially in social and emotional development, neuroscience, and the many ways we can all cultivate a practice of BEING present.
RUTH Q WOLEVER
PhD, NBC-HWC (CST)
Guided Meditation Facilitator
Ruth Q. Wolever, PhD, NBC-HWC serves as Interim Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at Vanderbilt and the Director of Vanderbilt Health Coaching. She is an Associate Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with secondary appointments in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Meharry Medical College. Ruth is the Chief Science Officer for eMindful, Inc., is a founding member and was the inaugural President of the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching. A clinical health psychologist and nationally-board certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC), Ruth has over 25 years of experience training and mentoring medical and allied health professionals in behavioral medicine, emotional health and coaching. She also has over 25 years of experience designing, implementing, and evaluating behavior change programs for medical patients and those at risk for chronic disease.
Internationally recognized for her expertise on mindfulness and health coaching, Ruth studies mindfulness-based approaches to self-regulation and lifestyle change. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NCCAM – now NCCIH, Office of Women’s Health, NHLBI, NIDCD, and NIDDK), the United States Air Force, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, industry, and philanthropy. Ruth is particularly interested in the intersection of mindfulness, behavior change, and inter-professional training.
VICTORIA RAMIREZ, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Victoria Ramirez, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience supporting individuals navigating cancer, chronic illness, grief, and major life transitions. She specializes in working with patients and families impacted by oncology diagnoses, as well as those coping with loss, anxiety, and unexpected life changes.
Victoria earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and is licensed in California. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing primarily from client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to meet each individual’s unique needs. She is known for creating a calm, supportive, and judgment-free environment where clients feel safe to explore their experiences.
With a warm and empathetic style, Victoria collaborates with clients to set both short- and long-term goals, adapting them as needs evolve over time. She is deeply committed to helping individuals build resilience, gain clarity, and feel supported throughout their healing journey.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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