Somatic Healing Retreat for Young Breast Cancer Survivors

This intimate, half day gathering has been designed specifically for BAYS (Bay Area Young Survivors) members as a nurturing space to reconnect with your body, process medical experiences, and develop practical tools for ongoing healing and resilience.

All together, in person, with other BAYS members.

Through gentle Somatic Experiencing (SE) techniques, you'll learn how to:

• Support your nervous system and release the effects of stress responses
• Rebuild trust with your body during or after treatment
• Process and release stored trauma from medical experiences
• Develop personalized strategies for continued healing

This retreat combines three powerful healing approaches into one comprehensive experience:

Nervous System Support for Healing + Resilience - Learn practical tools to regulate stress, restore balance, and create conditions that support healing.

Reconnecting with Your Body - Rebuild trust, listen to your body's signals, and honor what it has carried you through with gentle practices.

Healing Medical Trauma + Completing the Stress Cycle - Process experiences that were stored as stress or trauma and restore a sense of agency.

The flow of the day will allow for informal time to connect with other survivors, learning + discussion, gentle movement + experiential exercises, and (optional) energy healing.

Expect to leave feeling nourshied, supported, and grounded -- with new tools to use on your own in your daily life.

Who This Is For:

Members of the BAYS (Bay Area Young Survivors) community who are seeking somatic approaches to process their cancer journey in a supportive environment.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 or younger, please visit the BAYS website to become a BAYS member before registering for this event:

https://bayareayoungsurvivors.org/

What to Bring:

A journal and pen, comfortable clothing, water bottle, and any comfort items that help you feel at ease (favorite blanket, pillow, snacks etc.).

Snacks and tea will be provided. There will be an option to have lunch together as a group when the retreat concludes.

Price:

The price of this 4 hour retreat is $145. Sliding scale options allow you to give or receive help as needed, depending on your unique circumstances.

Please pay at the highest level you are able to, to ensure access for as many people as possible:

$195 - Able to offer support, have resources to pay for things beyond basic needs

$145 - Can pay full price, have access to resources to meet basic needs

$95 - Need assistance, lack access to generational wealth/savings

TO AVOID PAYMENT PROCESSOR FEES: Send payment via Venmo to Melissa Forde @fordeonfire (last four:7236) with the note "BAYS Somatic Retreat" and choose the "Paid via Venmo" option at checkout.

No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds.

Send a message to bWVsaXNzYSB8IGxpbG5lcnZvdXNicmVha2Rvd25zICEgY29t if you'd like to access additional help via a community funded scholarship.

Sponsored By:

BAYS member Lubna Takruri

Facilitated By:

Melissa Forde, RN, SEP

Melissa Forde is a Registered Nurse, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Master Teacher.

She has 20 years of experience providing holistic support to children and adults on cancer journeys and navigating other major life transitions.

As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, she is passionate about helping people understand their nervous system responses, release stored stress and trauma held in the body, and access a felt sense of safety so that innate healing abilities are able to flourish.

Her facilitation style includes light-hearted humor, accessible science, and an honoring of the lived experiences and wisdom of all participants.

Register Now

Space is limited to ensure an intimate and supportive environment.

Register today to reserve your spot in this healing experience tailored specifically for young breast cancer survivors.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in San Francisco.