By Cheryl Lecroy of Creative Juices Consulting, LLC

Herbs are much more than just flavoring for food, they also add tons of nutrients, especially when picked from your own backyard.  Mid-April (think Tax Day) is a perfect time to begin your herb garden.  Herbs also make beautiful, unique landscape plants and are simple to grow.  Have fun and venture out from the common herbs such as oregano and basil and perhaps try nasturtiums and catnip. For a comprehensive list of herbs including more exotic varieties, visit 

Visit her blog for more great information on growing and planning your unique herb garden ...

Sage, Rosemary, Chives, Wild Bergamot, Hyssop, Catnip, Lemon balm, Chocolate Mint, Basil, Nasturtiums, Dill, Cilantro

Blog Link:  http://www.creativejuicesconsulting.com/blog/herbs-a-simple-backyard-project-for-your-health

Fifth Annual “Pink to Drink” fundraiser is set for May 10It’s one big party at four great venues – and you’re invited – to the 5th annual Pink to Drink! It’s Charlotte’s biggest bloc party to turn LoSo PINK with hundreds of good people, great food, beer, and entertainment at four popular breweries in lower SouthEnd. And all the money raised by the three co-hosting 24 Hours of Booty teams supports the 24 Foundation mission for cancer navigation AND Wind River Cancer Wellness Retreats among other great organizations.
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“Pink to Drink started just as an idea with a couple of friends who wanted to support our family,” says Josh Jones, co-founder of Team LIBSTRONG, who lost his 3-year-old daughter to cancer in 2014. “The idea was to host a party where everyone wore pink.”

WHAT:  Pink to Drink benefitting 24 Foundation
WHEN:  Thursday, May 10, at 6 – 9 p.m.
WHERE:  Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Road
TICKETS: $40 available here

​Wind River is having a meet-up to watch to critically acclaimed movie about Change your Mind, Change your Body, Change your Life called HEAL. We'll have a short social before and after the movie to share!

REGISTRATION (this event is free)
Sign Up Here

EVENT DETAILS
Thursday May 31st | 6:30 – 9:30 P.M.
Moreseville, NC (address will be shared to registered participants
space is limited to 10 people.  If you register and later cannot attend, please let Shannon know asap.

More about the movie: THE GREATEST HEALER IS WITHIN.

Director Kelly Noonan's documentary takes us on a scientific and spiritual journey where we discover that our thoughts, beliefs, and emotions have a huge impact on our health and ability to heal. The latest science reveals that we are not victims of unchangeable genes, nor should we buy into a scary prognosis. The fact is we have more control over our health and life than we have been taught to believe. This film will empower you with a new understanding of the miraculous nature of the human body and the extraordinary healer within us all.

HEAL not only taps into the brilliant mind's of leading scientists and spiritual teachers, but follows two people on actual high stakes healing journeys. Healing can be extremely complex and deeply personal, but it can also happen spontaneously in a moment. Through these inspiring and emotional stories we find out what works, what doesn't, and why.

Featuring Dr. Deepak Chopra, Anita Moorjani, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Michael Beckwith, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Anthony William, Gregg Braden, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Dr. David Hamilton, Dr. Kelly Brogan, Rob Wergin, Dr. Kelly Turner, Peter Chrone, Dr. Darren Weissman, and Dr. Jeffrey Thompson.

Alum Alex Marshall is brave on so many levels, including telling her story about cancer.  Not many could walk this walk with thegrace of Alex, AND still be in college!  

Here is the full story as published in the Charlotte Observer March 11, 2018

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article204635559.html
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Don't miss this great survivorship summit sponsored by NC.   It is a great place for survivors AND their caregivers to enjoy and learn lots of wellness techniques and ideas while connecting with fellow survivors.

This year it is centrally located in Charlotte, NC.   Only catch, you MUST pre-register and in previous years it has sold out, so please visit their website and sign up if interested!
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You Are Not Alone 11th Annual Cancer Survivorship SummitApril 27-28, 2018Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive ParkCharlotte, NC
https://ncpha.memberclicks.net/cancer-survivorship-summit

Cancer and Love PART 2

Last week we shared the pending wedding of two alumni, Rob and Lauren DiFrank.  During their first dance, I cried - it was truly a special night and we are so honored to be a part of their ever lasting story of love!  Enjoy a few pictures!!

(and if you missed the full story, click HERE)

Posted February 2018

There is a saying, “When love is real, it finds a way.” That is the case for Lauren Carter and Rob DiFrank thanks to a group of match-making friends from Wind River Cancer Wellness Retreats (Wind River) – a 24 Foundation beneficiary partner.
Lauren and Rob are both young adult cancer survivors. Both received treatment at Carolinas Healthcare System’s Levine Cancer Institute. And both are Wind River alumni – attending just a month apart from one another in 2014. While Rob and Lauren traveled many of the same paths through their respective cancer journeys, they had never met.
Through the matchmaking prowess of Wind River alumni Maggie Fisher and executive director Shannon Carney, Lauren and Rob’s paths finally crossed. It was in January 2016 at a Wind River benefit concert at Charlotte’s Double Door Inn where the two were introduced by Shannon and Maggie.
“When I met Rob that evening, I thought he’d be a good fit for Lauren,” said Maggie who was Lauren’s Wind River cabin-mate and on the lookout for a boyfriend for Lauren. “As soon as Lauren arrived, Shannon and I introduced the two of them.”
Lauren and Rob hit it off that evening and went on their first date the following weekend. And the rest is history.
“We are tickled to have our first ‘Wind River Couple’!,” said Shannon whose first date with her partner Dave happened to be at the Double Door Inn 17 years ago. “What’s beautiful is that here are two people who met and share the cancer journey. The cancer piece was already out there for them, which made it so much easier.”

Lauren’s Journey
Lauren was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma over Labor Day weekend in 2012 – the beginning of her senior year at Queens University of Charlotte. “I was in total shock,” said Lauren who was one of the first patients treated in the Levine Cancer Institute building. While there, Lauren took part in art and music therapy, which helped take her mind off the chemo she was receiving. “I could not have asked for a better team of people to take care of me.”
Lauren became involved with 24 Hours of Booty when she received the “Spencer and Susan Lueders’ 24 Hours of Booty Scholarship” her senior year of college. She knew after meeting Spencer and Susan and learning how 24 Hours of Booty got started, that she wanted to stay involved. “It is with the support of Spencer, Susan, Queens University of Charlotte, my family, and the 24 Foundation community that I was able to complete my senior year of college while going through chemo!”
Today, Lauren is a third-grade teacher at River Gate Elementary in Charlotte. “Having the 24 Foundation support Levine Cancer Institute and Wind River means the world to me as both places were critical in my healing process!”
Rob’s Journey
Shortly after transitioning from the news industry to marketing in NASCAR, Rob was diagnosed with testicular cancer in July 2013.
The testicular cancer had metastasized through his blood stream and attacked the bone in his spine – creating a very rare scenario. Rob also had four different types of testicular cancer and had an unrelated tumor in his spinal column. After several extreme surgeries that he nearly didn’t survive, Rob was told there was a good chance he’d come out this at least temporarily – if not permanently – paralyzed. Miraculously, he was not paralyzed, but had to learn how to walk again.
After completing radiation and an intense chemo regimen at Levine Cancer Institute, Rob regained his strength, returned to work as Marketing Manager at Roush Fenway Racing and began rebuilding his life. Then in May 2016 – three months after meeting Lauren – Rob was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of Sarcoma in his spine. “It was more radiation, more chemo, and this time, a loving woman by my side to help me survive it all,” said Rob, who is now back on the mend.
“I deeply believe in the work 24 Foundation does because I’m a direct beneficiary of this charity,” said Rob. “I can point to and ‘touch’ the work they do, and that’s often rare for charity work. I can say my life is better because of THESE programs and THOSE benefits that are available because of 24 Foundation.”
24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty 2016
Rob attended his first 24 Hours of Booty in 2016 to cheer on Lauren. While there, he met the Caped Crusaders 4 Cures team of superheroes who hoisted Rob on the back of a tandem bike for the Survivor parade lap. “It was extremely emotional and I promised to come back next year and ride next to Super Girl (aka Stratford Kiger) instead of behind her,” said Rob. “Fortunately, God allowed me to keep my promise.”
For this year’s event, Lauren and Rob raised a combined $7,100. On Friday evening, Rob rode some laps, including the Survivors parade lap alongside the Caped Crusaders.
“Seeing the two of them together at 24 Hours of Booty was so special,” said Maggie who counts Rob and Lauren among her and her husband’s best friends.
The Proposal
A few weeks after this year’s 24 Hours of Booty, Rob planned a weekend getaway for Lauren and him in Southport, NC. They returned to their waterside hotel after dinner and sat on their patio overlooking the water and the Oak Island lighthouse when Rob got down on one knee and asked if Lauren would “spend forever” with him. “I could not have asked for a better way to be asked!,” said Lauren. The newly engaged couple spent the rest of the weekend exploring Southport, Oak Island and Bald Head Island. Their wedding will take place in Charlotte in April 2018.
“It makes me happy to see Rob and Lauren together,” said Maggie. “They get along beautifully and have a great sense of humor.”

Our second Tom Sawyer Day is this Saturday, weather depending.

Help us make the Wind River trails and property sparkle for our Spring Retreats.  Sign up and come get your hands dirty with moving mulch, planting, bon fires, cleaning and more!


SATURDAY April 7th
10am - 2:30pm  (includes lunch!)

Email us at shannon@WindRiverServices.org

And if you are still wanting fun in the area, there are several great wineries to visit