By Bobbi-Sue Menard

WHEN it is time to talk about cancer, there is almost no way to start without breaking into clichés.  

Phrases used to describe the disease are so common: “malignant”; or “benign, but we need to run some more tests.”  The impact of the words is so devastating that, when the oncologist talks about scientific probabilities and treatment options, the soul and the psyche are left far down the list of concerns.  

This is not so at Mara Station Retreat Centre, located in the Shuswap. At Mara, executive director Ginny Cox and her dedicated band of specialists work to provide succour for the soul, and a measure of healing for the person inside the body.  

A retreat centre was not the ultimate goal of Ginny and Paul Cox when, on a whim nine years ago, they went looking for riverfront property in the Shuswap.  

Indeed, when they made their request of the realtor to look at anything from “one to five acres, on the river with a tumble-down house we could live in,” recalled Ginny, “the realtor said, ‘No.’”

But at Paul’s insistence, they toured around the area and stopped at a local store inquiring about leads.  On the bulletin board was a day-old advert for a home on Riverside Road.  Down the winding lane that reminded Ginny “a little bit of France, a little bit of England,” and across a small bridge, was the property – complete with the original Mara train station – on the Shuswap riverfront.

At that moment, said Ginny, “I had a strong feeling that God wanted me to do something special.”

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The couple didn’t have the funds; but after selling their Calgary home, and with help from family, the transaction was made.  Ginny, who had worked as a palliative care nurse, had experience with setting up the Hospice in Okotoks, Alberta.  After a massive renovation to the 720 square foot train station, the couple relocated.

Today the retreat is run by a society with a volunteer board.  The five-day residential retreats are overseen by a doctor.  The team of professionals at each retreat includes specialists in massage, psycho-social support in group sessions, nutritional support, visualization and meditation.  

“One of the things we see is the sense of a loss of identity in patients,” explained Cox. “For example, while the patient is undergoing treatment, they receive attention – but are then abandoned when the treatment is finished.”

Mara embraces everyone’s spirituality, in a non-denominational way.  Cox will not turn away anyone based on their beliefs.  “People come here looking for hope.  We encourage them to come with a support person, to grow with them.”

Attendees are asked to pay to help with costs – although if they only have a little bit, Cox simply wants them to value the retreat. “We have a wonderful team of dedicated people who work for next to nothing.  We use almost all organic fruits and vegetables, and have held several fundraisers to help meet expenses.”

One thing Cox does screen potential attendees for is the energy to take part. If a cancer retreat attendee cannot walk uphill for five minutes, they will not have the energy to benefit from the retreat.

As the coordinator and executive director, Cox can see her dream unfolding. “It’s lots of work, and it is a little bit different from the vision – but it is still unfolding.”

The retreat is open to all, yet Cox is always aware of what it takes to engage. “It takes courage to come with cancer and expose your soul. Acceptance is hard.”

marastation.com

September 2010