The staff of Tapestry recognize that cancer is much more than a biological experience. Accordingly, each member has worked in a variety of arenas to support people living with cancer.

In the spring of 1993 Bill Moyers presented a documentary series (Healing and the Mind - PBS) exploring the mind-body connection in healing. It was this series, particularly its depiction of the Commonweal Cancer Help Program retreats held in Bolinas California, that inspired the development of a made-in-Alberta variation called Tapestry. Two of our core staff, operating out of different Alberta Cancer Centres, separately attended Commonweal's Tradecraft weekends to learn how the program supports people living with cancer. Simultaneously, two other of our core group were engaged in their own explorations of complementary support modalities in psychosocial cancer care. By 1995, the group recognized the implications of their diverse efforts and decided to join together to create a nurturing residential opportunity for the people they served.

In response to an initial challenge by colleagues questioning the desirability and appropriateness of such a program in the Province of Alberta, the team conducted a focus group study. In total, 32 stakeholders representing patients, family members, friends, and a variety of professional care providers -- including nurses, nutritionist, social workers, oncologists, pastors, psychiatrists and psychologists -- participated. The results of the study informed the development of the Tapestry program in terms of its funding, structure and governance, content and expectable returns (measurable and intangible). A strong value expressed by study participants was that the program should function under the aegis of the professional cancer care community in cooperation and partnership with private and community resources.

In June of 1998, the first retreat was offered. Since that time retreats have been held approximately every two months with 7-8 participants. Currently, 75% of participants have been female and 50% of the total have been breast cancer patients. However, the core Tapestry group strongly values a focus on the human experience of cancer that comes from having both genders and a variety of life experiences represented at each retreat. We believe that many community support groups are well able to deal with site-specific cancer issues. Tapestry offers an opportunity to take time out for reflection on the meaning of cancer in a person's life within a quiet, nurturing, sharing environment away from day-to-day responsibilities.