Misstropolis

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Wine, Women and Shoes

by Robin Hauck

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In a way it seems strange - the idea of drinking wine, watching a fashion show and buying shoes - to support women battling a debilitating, sometimes deadly disease. But that’s what’s so beautiful; it’s not unusual for women to band together and laugh in the face of danger.

Like many marathoners who ran through the rain on Monday in the name of cancer research, the organizers of Wine 101 and Wine, Women and Shoes, fundraisers for the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden in Harvard MA, know the best way to fight a terrible enemy is to live to the fullest in spite of it, emboldened by a dedicated, supportive community.

Virginia Thurston had stage IV metastatic breast cancer when she first met Betsy Tyson-Smith. Betsy was a breast cancer survivor herself, who had turned her experience with treatment and recovery and her professional experience as a psychotherapist, into a breast cancer support group. Betsy and Virginia worked together for many years, and the group grew.

In 2001, Virginia’s husband offered Betsy the opportunity to start the Healing Garden in the midst of Virginia’s ten acres of beautiful gardens. It was a gift he made in honor of his wife; and six years later it keeps on giving. The professionals and volunteers at the HG have treated close to 500 patients. Their cottage office in the middle of the garden will soon be renovated to add 1500 sq. ft of desperately needed space.

Wine 101 and Wine Women and Shoes, taking place at the Back Bay Events Center on April 27 and 28 are part of a capital campaign raising funds for the expansion. Wine 101 on the 27th will feature the wine of seven female vintners from California.

Lisa Hughes of WBZ will emcee Wine Women and Shoes the following night, which will feature shoes and accessories from Nordstrom and fashions from The Studio, TESS & CARLOS, Sumi Seo, and Sara Campbell, Ltd. All the runway models will be women who are either breast cancer survivors or relatives and close friends of survivors.

“Medicine is about curing. We are about healing.” Tyson-Smith explains. “The idea is to provide a place with a connection to the environment. It is so different than a hospital.” With a full time staff of just three and 18 unpaid volunteers, the HG has an impressive menu of services: acupuncture, yoga, massage, art, dance and writing therapies, gardening therapy and counseling and support groups name just a few. Meditation and visualization are important practices taught to reduce the stress that comes from diagnosis.

“Having breast cancer is like having a little terrorist inside of you.” Tyson-Smith says. “In one second your whole life changes, your life is suddenly in peril.” She says it is hard not to worry constantly about what is next; she even had another lumpectomy in January. But the peace of mind she gets from the community at the HG ameliorates some of that stress. “It has an aura of serenity and love and kindness.” The connection with nature, the setting in the garden, the tranquility that brings is so important, she says. It’s a way to reconnect with a spirituality which may be severed by the experience of having breast cancer.

“There aren’t many people who don’t know someone.” Tyson-Smith reminds us. So go raise a glass, and support the healing in the garden.

Watch the Healing Garden’s new video: http://healinggarden.net/Our_Video.php