8th Annual Stowe Weekend of Hope
Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4, 2008

The Stowe Weekend of Hope is an annual forum for education, enlightenment, and recreation for cancer patients and survivors with any type of cancer...and their families. The focus is to inspire, educate, and celebrate the lives of people living with the cancer. This unique event addresses the complex challenges and needs of people with cancer at any stage in their disease. Cancer presents families with many challenges - physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial.

The Stowe Weekend of Hope was founded in 2001 and continues to be a three day weekend retreat and outreach experience for hundreds of cancer survivors and their families in the restorative environment of Stowe, Vermont. Since its inception, this event has grown locally and nationally to continue to inspire the search for new and innovative research and education in both the traditional and non-traditional cancer treatments and therapies. This forum promotes real educational opportunities for cancer patients and presents the most current medical research in all areas of cancer treatments.

This year, from May 2-4, the Stowe Weekend of Hope will present nationally renowned oncology specialists from around New England, as well as leading oncologists and researchers from the Vermont Cancer Center, the University of Vermont and Fletcher Allen Health Care Division of Hematology and Oncology, who will present free lectures and seminars on the latest findings on cancer prevention and treatment. In addition, this weekend will offer supportive mechanisms for healing, comfort, spiritual enlightenment and communion. These include hands-on workshops, informational and support group gatherings, retail environments supportive of growth and healing, sporting opportunities and time for relaxation, as well as inspirational musical events, ecumenical services, and motivational talks designed to heighten the emotional experience of healing and growth.

Each year, the Stowe Area Association lodging members donate hundreds of free rooms to cancer survivors and their loved ones. The Stowe community opens its collective hearts and doors, places of worship, and beautiful natural wonders to families needing a retreat dedicated to giving them the tools to cope with cancer.