Stowe Weekend of Hope closing in 2024
May 30, 2024
The Stowe Weekend of Hope (SWOH), a nonprofit organization that hosted an annual retreat for people experiencing cancer, will close after more than two decades.
“Our vision in 2001 for SWOH was to welcome those challenged with cancer, and those who love them, to a beautiful mountain town where they could access members of the New England traditional and non-traditional healing community, and find peace and time for self reflection in the beauty of Stowe, Vermont,” said Valerie Rochon, former executive director of the Stowe Area Association, which created the event in partnership with Dr. Patti O’Brien of the Vermont Cancer Network.
“From Amtrak trains carrying cancer survivors from Washington, D.C., and all stops along the route to Waterbury, to buses coming from Michigan, Boston and Montreal, to those flying and driving to Stowe, local community providers recognized the value of the weekend retreat and sent their patients to SWOH. We know we helped thousands of people over the years, and we are all saddened that the time has come to close the Stowe Weekend of Hope.”
From 2001 to 2019, the nonprofit hosted a yearly retreat in the beautiful town of Stowe, Vermont, offering education and inspiration to people with cancer, cancer survivors, caregivers, children and families. In 2020 and 2021, the organization held virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges posed by the pandemic, the changing economic and hospitality scene, and the loss and retirement of key members of the organization after many years of valued volunteerism were contributing factors in the decision to ultimately dissolve the organization.
“Their dedication and tireless efforts over two decades had grown Stowe Weekend of Hope into the fabulous celebration of survivorship that we had all come to rely upon and cherish,” said Greta Irwin, SWOH board president. “For years it helped us build resilience, brought us invaluable knowledge that helped us navigate cancer, empowered us with strategies to care for ourselves, provided us a safe place to cry, express our fears and to mourn those we had lost. Most importantly, Stowe Weekend of Hope gave us friendship and laughter.”
Since its inception, the Stowe Weekend of Hope grew from a small gathering to a three-day event hosting thousands of people at the Stoweflake Inn & Resort, featuring providers in both traditional and nontraditional cancer treatments and therapies. First-timers were able to attend and stay for free in rooms generously donated by local hotels and lodging facilities; there was a discounted charge for lodging for those returning, but all events as part of the Weekend were presented at no charge thanks to countless sponsors and donors. Many local restaurants and retail shops also offered specials to the attendees and donated some of their profits to SWOH through the Green Ribbon program.
Attendees gathered with members of the medical community and wellness communities in order to further their understanding of the disease affecting their lives. Throughout the weekend, leading oncologists and researchers from Vermont and New England presented free lectures and seminars on the latest findings on cancer prevention and treatment. The weekend also offered supportive mechanisms for healing, comfort, spiritual enlightenment, and communion.
At its peak, an average Weekend of Hope event brought 1,200 participants to Stowe, comprised of 425 cancer survivors, nearly 700 adult guests, 70 children, and more than 60 speakers and presenters. Participants came from 30 states, as well as the Virgin Islands and Canada. Survivors and those in treatment experienced more than 25 types of cancer, ranging from breast cancer (nearly half of participants) to blood cancers and lymphoma, bone, brain and skin cancers. About half of the survivors and participants experiencing cancer were first-time attendees.
As it closes operations, the nonprofit will distribute remaining funds to a number of Vermont organizations, including the University of Vermont Cancer Center, the Cancer Patient Support Foundation, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, Mahana Magic, and Sail Beyond Cancer VT.
The board of the Stowe Weekend of Hope is eternally grateful to the thousands of attendees, presenters, volunteers, sponsors, providers, business and individual donors, board and team members that made this experience possible for two decades. We wish we could name them all.
With gratitude,
Greta Irwin, Leslie Anderson, Hannah Normandeau, and Valerie Rochon
The Stowe Weekend of Hope (SWOH), a nonprofit organization that hosted an annual retreat for people experiencing cancer, will close after more than two decades.
“Our vision in 2001 for SWOH was to welcome those challenged with cancer, and those who love them, to a beautiful mountain town where they could access members of the New England traditional and non-traditional healing community, and find peace and time for self reflection in the beauty of Stowe, Vermont,” said Valerie Rochon, former executive director of the Stowe Area Association, which created the event in partnership with Dr. Patti O’Brien of the Vermont Cancer Network.
“From Amtrak trains carrying cancer survivors from Washington, D.C., and all stops along the route to Waterbury, to buses coming from Michigan, Boston and Montreal, to those flying and driving to Stowe, local community providers recognized the value of the weekend retreat and sent their patients to SWOH. We know we helped thousands of people over the years, and we are all saddened that the time has come to close the Stowe Weekend of Hope.”
From 2001 to 2019, the nonprofit hosted a yearly retreat in the beautiful town of Stowe, Vermont, offering education and inspiration to people with cancer, cancer survivors, caregivers, children and families. In 2020 and 2021, the organization held virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges posed by the pandemic, the changing economic and hospitality scene, and the loss and retirement of key members of the organization after many years of valued volunteerism were contributing factors in the decision to ultimately dissolve the organization.
“Their dedication and tireless efforts over two decades had grown Stowe Weekend of Hope into the fabulous celebration of survivorship that we had all come to rely upon and cherish,” said Greta Irwin, SWOH board president. “For years it helped us build resilience, brought us invaluable knowledge that helped us navigate cancer, empowered us with strategies to care for ourselves, provided us a safe place to cry, express our fears and to mourn those we had lost. Most importantly, Stowe Weekend of Hope gave us friendship and laughter.”
Since its inception, the Stowe Weekend of Hope grew from a small gathering to a three-day event hosting thousands of people at the Stoweflake Inn & Resort, featuring providers in both traditional and nontraditional cancer treatments and therapies. First-timers were able to attend and stay for free in rooms generously donated by local hotels and lodging facilities; there was a discounted charge for lodging for those returning, but all events as part of the Weekend were presented at no charge thanks to countless sponsors and donors. Many local restaurants and retail shops also offered specials to the attendees and donated some of their profits to SWOH through the Green Ribbon program.
Attendees gathered with members of the medical community and wellness communities in order to further their understanding of the disease affecting their lives. Throughout the weekend, leading oncologists and researchers from Vermont and New England presented free lectures and seminars on the latest findings on cancer prevention and treatment. The weekend also offered supportive mechanisms for healing, comfort, spiritual enlightenment, and communion.
At its peak, an average Weekend of Hope event brought 1,200 participants to Stowe, comprised of 425 cancer survivors, nearly 700 adult guests, 70 children, and more than 60 speakers and presenters. Participants came from 30 states, as well as the Virgin Islands and Canada. Survivors and those in treatment experienced more than 25 types of cancer, ranging from breast cancer (nearly half of participants) to blood cancers and lymphoma, bone, brain and skin cancers. About half of the survivors and participants experiencing cancer were first-time attendees.
As it closes operations, the nonprofit will distribute remaining funds to a number of Vermont organizations, including the University of Vermont Cancer Center, the Cancer Patient Support Foundation, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, Mahana Magic, and Sail Beyond Cancer VT.
The board of the Stowe Weekend of Hope is eternally grateful to the thousands of attendees, presenters, volunteers, sponsors, providers, business and individual donors, board and team members that made this experience possible for two decades. We wish we could name them all.
With gratitude,
Greta Irwin, Leslie Anderson, Hannah Normandeau, and Valerie Rochon