Welcome to the Department of Integrative Medicineand Cancer Support Communityat Orlando Health. We believe that conventional western medicine is the best approach to combat cancer and other diseases, but there are complementary paths to aid healing by treating the whole person in a cohesive balance of mind, body, and spirit. The Integrative Medicine Program engages patients and their families to become active participants in improving their physical, emotional, and social health. The ultimate goals are to optimize quality of life, overall health, and clinical outcomes through personalized evidence-based complementary approaches and research based education. As part of this initiative to treat the whole person, we are pleased to announce that we have become an official affiliate of the Cancer Support Community.

The Cancer Support Community is an international non-profit dedicated to providing support, education, and hope to people affected by cancer for over 30 years. In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gildas Club Worldwide joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community. The Wellness Community was founded by Dr. Harold Benjamin in Santa Monica, California in 1982. Gilda Radner, famous for her work in the original Saturday Night Live cast, was a participant at The Wellness Community. The first Gildas Club opened in New York City in 1995 in her memory by her friends and family including her husband, actor Gene Wilder, and her therapist Joanne Bull. The Cancer Support Community offers a network of personalized services and education at no charge for all people affected by cancer through an affiliate network.

Orlando Health provides this program for all people impacted by cancer in the Central Florida area. The mission of the Cancer Support Community perfectly complements that of Orlando Health: to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. The program addresses the social and emotional health of people at any age along the cancer continuum, including at diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment, long-term survivorship, end-of-life and bereavement to ensure no one has to face cancer alone. Novel technologies, including mobile, are also being explored to help extend the reach of these meaningful resources. Please review the link below for latest calendar of events available this month from the Cancer Support Community.

For any questions or to contact the Cancer Support Community team, please call 321.841.5056 or emailcancersupportcommunity@orlandohealth.com

If you would like more information about the Department of Integrative Medicine, please call us at 321.841.5056.

To schedule an appointment for acupuncture or oncology massage, please call the Integrative Medicine Department at 321.841.5056 or email integrativemedicine@orlandohealth.com

On the 5th floor of the Cancer Center and through the Cancer SupportCommunityprogramwe offer an Artist in Residence program that allows patients receiving infusion therapy to paint in their room or join a class to engage in art therapy.

This program is offered in collaboration with Baker Barrios Architects and the Orlando Health Foundation.

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. Bernard-Paul Heroux, 1900's Basque philosopher

Once a week and for special events at the Cancer Center, British tea is poured into elegant bone china cups to provide respite from the daily pace of life in a soothing space.High tea is served every Thursday from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in the fifth floor day room. Join us and experience the beauty and elegance of high tea.

Walking the labyrinth helps me to hold an uncertain future. Patient family member

Modeled after the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France, the labyrinth is located on the fourth floor terrace of UF Health Cancer Center Orlando Health. We were the 2nd hospital in the country to begin offering a labyrinth for its patient/families, staff and local community. The labyrinth is an ancient healing tool used as a walking meditation or embodied prayer. Ninety-eight percent of walkers report feeling more peaceful after walking this simple path.

Walking the labyrinth can have a calming and restorative effect on blood pressure and stress levels.

The labyrinth is available to walk weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm.

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Cancer Support Community & Integrative Medicine