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Cancer Survivors Connect with Writing at St. Charles Medical Center
Writing produced in The Nature of Words workshops will be available in an anthology
Bend, Ore. — Feb. 20, 2012. The Nature of Words and St. Charles Medical Center-Bend are collaborating to offer a series of weekly creative writing workshops to cancer survivors. Ellen Waterston, award-winning author and poet, is leading 20 students in writing fiction and nonfiction through her popular workshop series, The Story You Came To Tell. The workshops will conclude with a luncheon and reading on Feb. 23, in which class participants will share selections of their work with other class members and guests. The writing will be collected in an anthology and made available at St. Charles’ Gift Store and at The Nature of Words.
“Patients receiving cancer treatment are faced with significant uncertainty and stress,” said Allison McCormick, director of St. Charles Health System’s Cancer Center of Care. “One of our goals is to help them navigate this difficult time using tools such as massage, reiki, art therapy, and now a writing program with Ellen Waterston, Executive Director of The Nature of Words. Writing allows our patients to express their feelings, share their thoughts and connect with others. We are excited to be able to offer this wonderful opportunity to our patients.”
The seven-session series explores poetry, fiction and nonfiction with a special emphasis on the relationship of literary nonfiction and fiction. The workshops provide both experience and inspiration through in-class writing prompts, reading and writing assignments.
About St. Charles Health System
St. Charles Health System (SCHS) has become recognized as the primary provider of quality health care for patients living in and around Central Oregon. In addition to owning and operating medical centers in Bend and Redmond, SCHS leases and operates Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville and provides key management services for Mountain View Hospital in Madras. A private, nonprofit Oregon corporation, SCHS is Central Oregon's largest employer, with nearly 3,000 caregivers in Bend, Redmond and Prineville combined. More than 350 on-site medical staff members and approximately 200 visiting medical staff members also make it possible for SCHS to deliver a wide range of excellent care in a compassionate healing environment.
About The Nature of Words
The mission of The Nature of Words is to foster an appreciation of the literary arts and humanities in the high desert region of the Northwest through community interaction with acclaimed authors, and through creative writing programs for students and adults. For more information about the Nature of Words, visit www.thenatureofwords.org, call 541.647.2233 or email info@thenatureofwords.org. In Bend, visit NOW’s literary arts center at 224 NW Oregon Ave.
About Our Sponsors and Donors
The Nature of Words is grateful for the support of the following 2011-2012 sponsors and donors:
Co-Sponsors: OSU-Cascades, Central Oregon Community College.
Laureate: M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Meyer Memorial Trust, The Starview Foundation in Support of the Deschutes Land Trust, Anonymous Donor.
Ex Libris: The Bulletin, Julia Kennedy Cochran, The Collins Foundation, The J.G. Edwards Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, St. Charles Health System, The Source Weekly.
Best Seller: Rose and Stephen Archer, Bella Moda, Bend Radio Group, Bryant Lovlien & Jarvis PC, Dan Wieden on behalf of Caldera, Cascade Publications, Charlotte Martin Foundation, Combined Communications, Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, Express Employment Professionals, Margaret Heater, Herbert A. Templeton Foundation, Kinsman Foundation, Les Schwab Tires, The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, The Old Mill District, Roundhouse Foundation, Umpqua Bank, University of Oregon.
Page Turner: Autzen Foundation, The Bend Foundation, Brooks Resources, Central Oregon Radiology Associates, Devore’s Good Food Store, Facebook Prineville Data Center, Ron and Molly Foerster, The Sue and Mike Hollern Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Steve and Sandra Miller, Beth Patterson, Pepsi-Cola Company of Bend, Phoenix Inn and Suites, Robberson Ford, Jeff and Margie Robberson, Sally Russell, Samuel S. Johnson Foundation, Pauline Caine Shelk, Stephen Thompson, Tate and Tate Catering, Matt and Diana Tomseth, Visit Bend, Margaret and Jim Wood
The Nature of Words is supported in part by an award from the Oregon Arts Commission.
The Nature of Words is supported in part by a grant from Oregon Cultural Trust: Oregonians investing in Oregon’s arts, heritage and humanities.
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