Knowledge
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creates space for open dialogue and shared wisdom. Through expert-led discussions and health education, this space empowers individuals with the knowledge, connection, and confidence to navigate their wellness journey.
Gretchell Foscaldo
Don’t Take “No” for an Answer: Understanding Appeals & Denials
When insurance says “no,” you don’t have to accept it as the final answer. Join us for an engaging, interactive workshop and learn practical strategies for challenging insurance denials, advocating for the care you need, and navigating the appeals process with greater confidence. Your experience can also help shape the path for others facing the same barriers. Come learn, share, and turn a denial into an opportunity for change.
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Gretchell Foscaldo is a Field Reimbursement Manager at Genentech with over 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. She specializes in navigating the complexities of patient access, focusing her expertise on educating about national and local market dynamics. Gretchell is deeply passionate about empowering our community through policy education to ensure patients receive the medications they need. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys taking long walks and spending time with her husband, Jim, their two teenage sons, and their puppy, Rocky.
Kristen Lanctot
More Than Art: Finding a Medical Tattoo Artist Who Understands Your Post-Treatment Skin
This 30-minute learning session will explore how cancer treatments can affect the skin and why understanding a person’s treatment history is an important part of medical tattooing. We’ll discuss the importance of knowing and assessing the skin before tattooing, as well as learning to “listen” to the skin and respond to what it needs throughout the process—so you can make an informed decision and choose the best medical tattoo artist for you. Kristen can answer your questions and explain what a typical appointment looks like.
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Kristen Lanctot brings 24 years of medical experience to her work, including more than two decades as a Surgical Technologist in the operating room. For 13 years at Women & Infants Hospital, she worked alongside highly skilled breast and plastic surgeons, gaining invaluable experience through daily participation in breast biopsies, mastectomies, and breast reconstruction procedures. Today, she continues working with this same group of surgeons as their Women’s Oncology Fellowship Coordinator.
In 2020, Kristen followed her passion for helping breast cancer survivors feel whole again by training at the Sauler Institute of Tattooing in Exton, PA, where she earned certifications in 3D nipple and areola tattooing and scar camouflage. She also received invaluable mentorship from Robert Young of Altered Images Tattoo in Rhode Island. After extensive hands-on practice, Kristen earned her Rhode Island Tattoo License and began providing restorative tattoo services.
Her commitment to continued learning has led her to pursue additional training in 3D areola tattooing and eyebrow tattooing, including time with Terry Lively, Julie Michaud and the team at Prettyology, and ongoing mentorship with Mandy Sauler. Kristen believes the learning never stops and is passionate about combining her medical knowledge, technical expertise, and artistic skills to help clients feel confident and beautiful.
Kristen is the owner of Beautiful Ink in Cumberland, RI. Learn more and connect with her on social media and at KLMTattoo.com.
Dr. Stephanie Fernandez
Navigating Self-Wellness, Kindness, and Care During Challenging Journeys
This 30-minute workshop focuses on motivational and empowering processes that highlight self-love via wellness and being kind and caring to oneself during difficult times and challenges that may arise in one's life. Furthermore, this course aims to help you positively and beautifully embrace yourself by targeting key steps that shift mindsets towards positive self-goals. Wellness and self-awareness as a top priority, can manifest outcomes that can lead to a more appreciated and self-loving lifestyle that reflects on yourself and your loved ones.
Dr. Stephanie Fernandez is a family-oriented RI native with a diverse background and experience. Her career background for the past 20 years has been working in higher educational leadership and administration. Throughout her career ladder, she started in Providence at Johnson & Wales University, then spent 16 years working in Miami, Florida possessing titles of Chief of Public Safety and Dean of Administration at Miami Dade College. She recently moved back to RI to be closer to her family, only to discover that her husband was diagnosed with stage-4 colorectal cancer one month later. Throughout 28 years of her life, she has focused on practicing and developing herbal holistic remedies or "potions". She now focuses on medicinal plants and cannabis medicine full-time and aims to help the cancer community through therapeutic remedies. She has a doctorate, master's and bachelor's degree, along with four college certifications, including in medicinal plants and cannabis medicine. She loves cooking and spending time in nature, particularly at the beach, watching a full moon and stargazing, and going on nature walks. Dr. Stephanie believes in providing intentional healing and peace through her practice that will allow people to beautifully illuminate within themselves.
Within
offers a sanctuary for the soul, where guests can explore the calming benefits of meditation, breathwork, and sound healing. This space is designed for rest, reflection, and deep inner peace.
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Meditation
Swami Jnanamudrananda
Swami Jnanamudrananda has been a lifelong student of spiritual teachings, beginning his studies as a teenager. He also participates in the basic study of astrophysics. The basis is to help and understand the correlation of our lives with the universe as a whole. He attended the Kriya Seminary Program where he earned his degree and was ordained as Swami Jnanamudrananda. He performs the services of a swami, as well as metaphysical and pastoral care, with a special emphasis on pastoral care for end-of-life patients. Swami is committed to understanding as much as possible about life, so that he can be of service to others.
Healing Sound Garden
Elise Bish is an Expert-Level Certified Sound Healer, Folk Herbalist, and Conscious Sexuality Educator. She blends sound healing, herbal body treatments, energy work, and embodiment practices to create deep, lasting transformation for people longing to reconnect with their physical, spiritual, and emotional bodies. In 2024, Elise launched her Sound Healing for Cancer Support Program, offering low- and no-cost sound healing sessions for those facing/living with cancer. You can find out more about her work at https://www.ambrosiaresonance.com/
Elise Bish
Creativity
empower
presents peaceful, inspiring spaces where art, writing, and other creative practices support emotional healing, self-expression, and resilience. Here, participants are invited to explore the healing power of creativity in a safe and supportive environment
Creative Calm
Take a refreshing 15-minute break to pause, breathe, and reset your day. Select a shape, trace onto premium cardstock, set a personal intention, and use pens and vibrant markers to bring your inner insights to life. This relaxing, creative space requires absolutely no art experience, offering everyone a soothing moment to create, find calm, and gain insight.
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Leslie Grant
Julie Cummings
Painting a Mandala
Painting a simple mandala can offer a peaceful moment of mindfulness during a cancer journey. The gentle, repetitive process of placing each dot encourages you to slow down, focus on the present moment, and set aside worries for a little while. As the pattern grows, it can become a visual reminder of strength, hope, patience, and the beauty that can emerge one small step at a time. There is no right or wrong way to paint it—just a quiet space to breathe, create, and care for yourself.​
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Julie Cummings is a project manager who lives in Somerset, Massachusetts and has two grown sons. Her mandala journey began in early 2024 after a health scare. While her medical team healed her body, the therapeutic nature of mandala helped heal her soul. She has been teaching others this beautiful artwork since August 2024. Julie says, “I love watching my students step outside of their comfort zone and create something they didn’t think they could.”
Learn to play Mah jongg
Come discover the fun of Mah Jongg and learn how easy it is to get started! This classic game is more than just a great way to spend time with friends—it can also give your mind a workout, encourage focus and memory, reduce stress, and provide a wonderful opportunity for social connection.
Never played before? No problem! You’ll learn the basics and be playing in no time. Come give it a try, meet new people, challenge your brain, and discover why Mah Jongg is a game worth adding to your wellness routine!
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Tammy Garceau, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, entrepreneur, event planner, and community builder. She is the founder of Counseling For Wellness, The Center for Counseling and Wellness, The Children’s Wellness Learning Collaborative, and The RI Mah Jongg Collective. Drawing on her background in mental health and wellness, Tammy recognizes the unique benefits Mah Jongg can offer through social connection, cognitive engagement, stress relief, laughter, and a sense of belonging. Through The RI Mah Jongg Collective, she brings together her passion for wellness, hospitality, and event planning to create thoughtfully curated experiences that nurture both community and connection.
Tammy Garceau
A Reminder for Someone Who Needs It: The Thoughts with Quote Board
Guests will be invited to write an encouraging quote, affirmation or reminder they would want someone going through a difficult day to hear and add it to the ThoughtswithH community quote board. Together, the individual messages will create a collective display of hope, encouragement and connection that will be left for Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation reminding us that sometimes a few simple words can make someone feel a little less alone.​
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Helena Eldoueihy
Carol-Ann Sylvestri
Create a Card of Encouragement
Nobody understands what it means to face cancer quite like someone who’s been there. Create a heartfelt greeting card filled with encouragement, hope, and a little joy to brighten the day of someone touched by cancer and remind them that they are not alone.​
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Carol-Ann Silvestri is a healing artist for the Gloria Gemma Foundation, a devoted single mom to twins, a high school science teacher, a caretaker, and the creative force behind CAS: Cards And Sweets, LLC in Rhode Island. At CAS, her initials reflect her passion for Creativity, Ambition, and Simplicity, which shine through in her unique, handcrafted designs made with paper, bling, and ink. Each creation is thoughtfully crafted with care and originality, embodying the values represented by her signature DAISY—family, persistence, alacrity, and a positive perspective—making every piece both meaningful and memorable.
Care
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offers free health screenings to participants and their loved ones, helping them take meaningful steps toward better health. Throughout the event, guests can visit select exhibitors providing important health checks—offering early detection, valuable insights, and peace of mind. It’s all part of our mission to empower you with the tools and knowledge to live healthier, stronger, and more informed.
Bliss
provides free mini spa services to help attendees reduce stress, ease anxiety, and experience a sense of calm. These holistic therapies are designed to help you feel better—mind, body, and spirit. Throughout the venue, enjoy soothing services such as Reiki, reflexology, massage, and ear seeding—all aimed at promoting relaxation and overall well-being.
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