BFMC Offers Writing Workshop for Those Touched by Cancer

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s Oncology Department will offer a free writing workshop, Spirit of the Written Word, for Western Mass. residents touched by cancer. The 10-week workshop will take place on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., March 15 through May 17 at Artspace in Greenfield. The intention of this workshop is to promote healing and the therapeutic benefits of group writing. No writing experience is required, and all sharing is voluntary and confidential. Refreshments will be provided.

Pam Roberts, the facilitator of this workshop, is a writer, artist, and certified yoga instructor, as well as a 24-year breast-cancer survivor. An ordained graduate of the IM School of Healing Arts in New York City, she has been leading writing workshops for people affected by cancer and loss for 15 years. During the time of her own cancer diagnosis, Roberts found writing to be an important part of her healing process. She believes in the transformative and healing power of writing within a safe and supportive workshop environment.

The Spirit of the Written Word writing workshop is limited to 12 participants, and registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Roberts at (413) 625-2402 or pamro@aol.com. Information is also available in the Oncology Department at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.

The workshop is made possible by money raised at the Wheeling for Healing Ride/Walk/Run, a yearly charitable event supporting cancer services and care at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, which has raised more than $300,000 to date, providing funding for items such as new infusion chairs in the Oncology suite, new exam tables, and programs such as art therapy, yoga for patients and survivors, and the writing workshop. This year’s Wheeling for Healing will be held on Sunday, Aug. 19 at Greenfield Community College.