Sisters women lead 'Life by Heart'

People who are facing life-altering situations, such as a cancer diagnosis, will be able to find help through a new nonprofit group called Life by Heart.

Life by Heart provides workshops that will enhance the quality of life for people in these situations. The first workshop, which will be for those who have had a cancer diagnosis, will be held on Saturday, November 23.

Five women, three of whom currently live in the Sisters area, have had the vision of Life by Heart for some years. All have been touched in some way by cancer and all now give back to cancer sufferers through their professions. Life by Heart is a way for them to combine their expertise.

"People who are going through these life altering situations need more than what the hospitals can offer," said Melanie Curry, formerly of Sisters and now residing in Portland. "Life by Heart will fill a void for people who are grasping for help in coping."

The Sisters workshop will be facilitated by four of the women in the group. Curry will help participants unlock buried feelings toward the diagnosis through spontaneous art.

Kris Falco, a Sisters resident and psychologist, uses equine-assisted psychotherapy in her sessions. This therapy enables participants to identify their communication style and to discover unknown fears and strengths. Falco is assisted by Claudia Lamphere, also of Sisters, who handles the horses.

Kathy Nagel will facilitate time spent learning meditation and creative visualization techniques. These are helpful in pain and stress reduction.

Pre-registration is necessary for the workshop. Call 309-0853.