The Launch of Live Laugh Learn in Ottawa took place on January 22nd, 2012. There will be many more monthly events to come! Please check the website for details.
“(She) who wished to secure the good of others, has already secured (her) own” – Confucius
As I reflect on the above statement, I am struck by how much it defines the work of our Live Laugh Learn committees across the country. As the Programs Coordinator at Rethink, I interact with these women on a weekly basis, and am totally in awe of their power to lift up others in the face of a challenging journey through breast cancer, and in turn lift up themselves.
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| Live Laugh Learn Ottawa Committee |
Grassroots movements are totally driven by a local community. They are natural and spontaneous. It is this type of enthusiastic movement that originally created the Live Laugh Learn program in Calgary, and exactly what led to launch of the program in our Country’s Capital a few weekends ago.
It all started with Cat – a young and informed woman from Ottawa who approached us last year lamenting the fact that there was no support available specific to the needs of young women with breast cancer. She found it difficult to find women that could relate to her situation, and sincerely wanted that community – so she worked with Rethink to create one. Soon, she had connected with a few more young women who were excited to get involved, and one became six. Cat became a strong voice in her community - doing her own research, getting involved in political advocacy, and speaking at public events about her experience. She naturally took on a peer support role - young women gravitated towards her and got connected to Rethink. By the end of 2011 there were NINE passionate young women on the committee, full of ideas and bringing with them contacts for volunteers willing to donate their skills – we were ready to launch!
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| Make-up time |
Like our other Live Laugh Learn cities, Lululemon on Westboro was willing to lend us their space for the program. Natalie Lyle, photographer extraordinaire, offered to come and do glamour shots. Caralyn & Genevieve from Caralyn’s HairSolutions Centre brought along a stylish selection of wigs to experiment with, and Tina, Ylleza & Corina offered their awesome make-up artistry skills. Along with an entire line of organic make-up donated by Physician’s Formula in a variety of both natural and wild colours, and an iTunes list of pick-me-up music, we had the makings of a true “girls night out”.
Shawna, Rethink’s Manager of Support & Education Programs, and I headed to Ottawa for the weekend of the launch. We got to meet with the committee again and discuss plans for upcoming sessions...there will be more monthly events to come! The beautiful thing about this type of committee is that everyone has their own style and contributions- whether it be marketing in local magazines, or recommending a totally sweet cupcake shoppe that is willing to donate treats. The personalities vary widely, but they have one very specific thing in common that makes relating to each other so much easier – and that is exactly what it takes.
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| Live Laugh Learn cupcakes! |
The launch went off without a hitch, thanks to everyone’s hard work and positive energy. It was truly incredible to feel the sense of relief and camaraderie in the room. The name "Ottawa" comes from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning "to trade" – and there was certainly much trading of stories and experience happening, much past the designated end time.
The next gathering of Live Laugh Learn will take place on February 19th, on the topic of “The Naturopathic Approach to Breast Cancer”. We hope that you join us if you are in the area, and spread the word!
- Jen Lagzdins
Programs Coordinator, Rethink
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