Cancer - Wellness Community of Philadelphia
The Wellness Community of Philadelphia (TWCP), located at The Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland, Chamounix Drive, West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a non-profit organization that provides emotional support, education and hope for people affected by cancer. Participants are welcome at any stage of their illness, from diagnosis through recovery. Professionally lead support groups for people with cancer and their caregivers meet weekly. Other programs and services include nutrition, yoga, T?ai Chi, aerobic exercise classes, mind-body programs, and educational forums. All TWCP programs and services are provided at no charge to participants.
Founded by a group of dedicated volunteers in 1993 at a small office on City Avenue, The Wellness Community of Philadelphia is one of 21 Wellness Communities nationwide (there are also two international locations and more in development in the United States). In 1997, it moved to its current location at Ridgeland in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Renovated and restored through community gifts, Ridgeland is a warm, home-like setting, where people with cancer and their families feel safe to talk about the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Participants may also enjoy the Jean C. Holler Contemplation Garden, located just beside the Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland. The Contemplation Garden is a place of peace and comfort for participants and caregivers to take T’ai Chi, meditation and relaxation programs, and to quietly reflect and restore their spirits. Meetings and large group classes are held in the renovated barn on premises.
The programs offered at The Wellness Community of Philadelphia give people with cancer and their loved ones and caregivers information, coping skills, and a greater sense of control over their lives. Independent research shows that those who participate in support groups experience a myriad of quality-of-life benefits, including less stress and anxiety, a more positive outlook, fewer side effects from treatment, and a quicker return to work after treatment. TWCP programs follow the Patient Active Concept, which states, ?Patients who participate in their fight for recovery along with their health care team, rather than acting as hopeless, helpless, passive victims of the illness, will improve the quality of their lives and may enhance the possibility of recovery.
TWCP serves people with cancer and their families of all ages and ethnicities in Philadelphia and throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. Beyond their Fairmount Park location, The Wellness Community of Philadelphia serves individuals through their Community-Based Programs in six locations throughout Philadelphia. In addition, TWCP holds programs at Hahnemann University Hospital, in the Bux-Mont area and in Chester county.
TWCP is funded solely with the help of generous gifts from individuals, community organizations, businesses, and foundations. TWCP welcomes gifts through all area United Ways. The Wellness Community of Philadelphia is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.
Please call (215) 879-7733 or (888) 819-3553, or visit http://www.twcp.org for more information.
