Women LISTEN will promote National Cancer Survivors Day on June 1 by hosting an uplifting gathering with music and refreshments for women cancer survivors and their supporters. The event will be in the Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Park, 1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane in Anchorage, from 1-3 p.m
Women LISTEN is an Anchorage-based group of women dedicated to the mission of supporting
women living with cancer by focusing on sharing information, offering emotional support and practical ideas while advocating for people with cancer, and connecting women in meaningful ways. Those who are new to the cancer journey, as well as longtime survivors, celebrate courage, give voice to fears, provide helpful tips and help smooth the path for women who have experienced the trauma of hearing the words, "You have cancer."
Every Friday morning from 10-11:30 a.m., at the Anchorage YMCA and over Zoom, women are listening, laughing, sharing and caring. They come together as the group called Women
LISTEN, which supports women who have been given a diagnosis of cancer.
The group's mission is represented in the name, Women LISTEN, which stands for Laugh, Inform, Support, Talk, Empower and Network. Women LISTEN
strives to network with women throughout the state of Alaska, and has participants living in Anchorage, Kodiak, Homer, Eagle River, Girdwood, Willow and Wasilla.
As an all-volunteer, Alaska- grassroots organization, Women LISTEN was founded in May 2002 by a group of women cancer survivors and in September 2004, it
became a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, guided by a board of directors.
Executive Director Nancy (Muff) Zellmer, ANP, facilitates the Friday support group meetings. Women LISTEN activities are funded entirely by donations.
Vikki, who was diagnosed in January 2023 notes that the friendship, understanding, and acceptance from Women LISTEN
participants helped her cope in unexpected ways, and that the group has become a safe space, where she knows, "I'm never alone." Vikki also says that "shared experiences, deep empathy, and genuine love within the group have given me both courage and peace as I navigate my cancer journey." She hadn't realized
how much emotion she had been holding in, until the Women LISTEN quarterly guided meditations offered her tools to begin releasing stress.
In addition to the weekly support group meetings, which are open to women with any type of cancer, Women LISTEN sponsors other events throughout the year, including retreats,
educational opportunities and art sessions. Women LISTEN will promote National Cancer Survivors Day on June 1 by hosting an uplifting gathering with music and refreshments for women cancer survivors and their supporters.
The event will be held in the Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Park, 1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane in Anchorage, from 1-3 p.m. Additional information is posted on the Women LISTEN website, FaceBook and Instagram.
Contact information: ward_deb@hotmail.com (907) 727-3034
