On Saturday, UnityPoint Health — Trinity Cancer Center will be partnering with Cops Against Cancer to offer cancer patients, survivors and their families a free cancer retreat. ‘There is a Positive Life After Cancer’ will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center in Conference Rooms 3 and 4. The Retreat will provide resources on motivation after a diagnosis, returning to normalcy and fulfilling their goals to attendees. To register for the event, please call (515) 574-6183 or go to Cops AgainstCancer.Org.

Trinity Cancer Center has always been committed to excellence in cancer care by providing highly trained medical experts, current technology, and comprehensive interdisciplinary services, including but not limited to pharmaceutical, lymphedema care, nutritional planning, palliative care, social services and pastoral care to our patients. Our patients are always at the center of everything we do, and we are consistently looking for ways to support them. When we learned about Cops Against Cancer and the retreats they offer, we were eager to partner with them to provide a retreat for local Fort Dodge area cancer patients, survivors and their care-givers.

Families often experience the fear of the unknown and solely focus on cancer treatments; unintentionally forgetting about their physical and mental well-being. Cops Against Cancer, a faith-based organization focuses on financial, educational and emotional needs of cancer patients and their families. The Cops Against Cancer organization knows firsthand that no one should have to go through an illness battle alone. Craig and Shirley Phinney founded the 501c3 nonprofit organization in 2010 after Craig was diagnosed with Stage 2 Colon Cancer.

During Craig’s recovery, the Phinneys saw the struggles and overwhelming changes cancer families endured. Cops Against Cancer was founded with a mission that reflects Craig Phinney’s 35 years in law enforcement — to “protect and serve” and this too holds true with cancer patients and their families.

The Cops Against Cancer retreats were created to help families find peace-of-mind, so patients can shift their energy on recovery and their care. It also presents a way to work through struggles and reaffirms and promotes hope that was once lost. The goal for Cops Against Cancer is to provide free cancer retreats to individuals across Iowa. Over the past three years, retreats have been primarily in the Des Moines Metro area, but with additional funding this past year Cops Against Cancer is able to take programs outside the Des Moines Metro.

During the Fort Dodge retreat, attendees will receive education and resources for living a normal life after a cancer diagnosis. All accommodations and training materials will be provided to the attendees including continental breakfast, snacks, lunch and drinks. Below is a a list of some of the topics and speakers planned for the day.

My Cancer Journey

Speaker: Craig Phinney, CPC, CWDS, ELI-MP — Phinney has completed 450 hours to become a Certified Professional Life Coach and a Certifed Wellbeing Dynamic Specialist — with a emphasis on quality of living after a cancer diagnosis.

The Journey as a Care Provider

Speaker: Shirley Phinney –Shirley Phinney, wife of Craig, is a District Asset Protection Manger and Corporate Investigator for Walgreens Corporation, responsible for 43 stores throughout Central Iowa. She knows firsthand the rollercoaster effects and stress of being a care-provider and shares her story of Craig’s 26-week journey of being in and out of the hospital and the recovery following.

Financial Planning and Budget Following Diagnosis

Speaker: Dale Vander Wilt –Vander Wilt taught math for 13 years prior to going into banking where he spent the next 29 years of his career. After retiring he has served 10 years as an adjunct faculty member at a college in Des Moines and is currently serving as an assitant track coach as Des Moines Christian High School.

Positive and Motivational Goal Setting and Reclaiming Your Life

Speaker: Kathleen Deal — Deal is a licensed attorney with courtroom experiene as a local, state, and federal prosecutor and Cancer victor. She has served on nation level committees and as a guest faculty member of the Federal Law Enforcement Center and the United States Department of Justice. Deal has experienced the power of people, and knows that people learn and work best when treated with respect and enthusiasm.

Becoming A Humor Being

Video: Steve Rizzo with a special appearance by Drew Carey.

Christen Sewell is manager of UnityPoint Health — Trinity Cancer Center. Craig A. Phinney, executive director and founder of Cops Against Cancer.