The cancer journey is a complex one; one that does not physically or emotionally look the same for everybody. However, in the growing population of cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and supporters one thing remains consistent- the need to come together, the need to share, the need to honor, the need to laugh, and the need to know one is not going this alone.
Valley Radiation Therapy Center (VRTC), located on the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center campus, has been treating cancer patients for nearly 10 years. The VRTC physicians and staff know all too well how the cancer journey feels and launched a Retail Therapy event in Palmer, in 2015. Its purpose…come together, share, honor, laugh, and be reminded nobody is going this alone. The event was so well received by the community in its inaugural year; they decided to make it an annual tradition.
In conjunction with dozens of Downtown Palmer stores and restaurants, the Second Annual Retail Therapy event is Saturday, March 26th, beginning at 10 a.m. Attendees will check-in at the private room of Turkey Red, where they will enjoy acoustical music by John Budnik and accompanying bassist, Charles Fletcher, light breakfast fare, networking, and a sharing of stories.
There will be an honorary banner for attendees to sign, and the first 150 to check in will receive a bag full of coupons and goodies. Participants will receive a cancer ribbon lapel pin and a directory of all the retailers participating in the event; there will even be a free shuttle for individuals requiring transport from store to store. At 11 a.m. participants can begin their shopping journey and take in all the retailers will have to offer. Workshops, a caricature artist, numerous discounts, yummy treats, entertainment (including The Acoustic Project at Vagabond Blues) and much, much more.
It is important to note this event is not a fundraiser. There is no cost to participate and no hidden agenda. The only money one can expect to put out is that which they spend treating themselves or loved ones. The organizer of the event, Diana Matukonis, Marketing Director for Anchorage and Valley Radiation Therapy Centers, says the purpose of this event is to simply “honor the cancer community we’ve been living in and treating in for decades. This is the chance for us to say thank you for letting us take care of you and your loved ones, and remind individuals they are not alone. We wanted to create a few hours one afternoon during which we can all celebrate, remember, and reflect.”
The event will end at 2 p.m. and is immediately followed by a complimentary, hour long restorative yoga class at Midnight Sun Yoga Center.
Contact Diana Matukonis 907-792-1521 or diana.matukonis@anchorageradiationtherapycenter.com