Virtual retreat gave kidney cancer patients a chance to relax

This is a guest post by Sarah Tuck, KCA’s Program Manager who works on all the patient programs and education initiatives.

The Kidney Cancer Association partnered with Respite Retreats for a Virtual Patient Retreat on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 1-5 pm. Participants spent the afternoon on arts and crafts projects, poetry, meditation, and light chair yoga.

Retreat Highlights

Community! While there were many memorable moments throughout the retreat, the majority of participants expressed it has been hard to find others who are going through their similar experience. Being a virtual retreat, attendees were able to gather from all around the country – even in the most remote of places!

Participant feedback

• “I live in an isolated rural area, no opportunity for retreats without travel. Happy to learn virtual retreats are available and worthwhile. I don’t know anyone else with kidney cancer, interactions were the best part.” 

• “Just a heartfelt thank you for putting this together, The event was lovely. And the gifts in our retreat box were such a sweet surprise!” 

• “The writing exercise was out of my comfort zone but as soon as I started writing I started crying, so it was a wonderful release of emotions that I had not taken the time or effort to try and process.”