Cancer affects tens of thousands of families in the New England region –
the co-founders of Forest Moon included. Cindy and Phil Blood contended with
Cindy’s breast cancer diagnosis at age 29, the passing of Cindy's father to
cancer when he was 60, Phil's tongue cancer diagnosis at age 45, and Phil's
mother's gallbladder cancer. As their family faced the challenges accompanying a
cancer diagnosis, they noticed a void in how the medical community addressed
the emotional needs of survivors and their families in rural Vermont and New
Hampshire. They found little support offered to rebuild physical, mental,
and spiritual strength. Unique needs accompany survivorship, yet families
contending with an uncertain future may receive little guidance. |
Starting in January of 2006, Forest Moon began offering full-day and
overnight retreats free of cost in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western
Massachusetts. Over 500 individuals have participated in a Forest Moon
program to date. Upon completion of their 4,000 square-foot
Healing Haven retreat center in southern
Vermont, Forest Moon will host retreats at their own homestead. Eight to
twenty individuals attend a retreat at a time, providing an intimate
atmosphere where strong connections can be developed. Participants engage in
a variety of
evidence-based therapeutic activities aimed at improving their quality
of life.
Some of these activities might include:
- Mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery
- Creative exploration (art, woodworking, crafts)
- Expressive and creative writing
- Nutritious cooking and gardening
- Physical fitness (hiking, biking, walking, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing)
- Group challenges
- Gentle movement (Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong)
- Healing touches (massage, Reike, reflexology)
- Dance
- Dialogue exercises
- Music
- Reconnecting with natural world
Using an experiential approach, Forest Moon’s participants acquire new
strategies to help reduce the stress accompanying survivorship and to
increase their sense of hope and control over their circumstances.
Forest Moon encourages each cancer survivor to bring a family member or
friend to each retreat.
During weekend retreats, participants are
encouraged to set goals to continue their healing at home. Following each
retreat, an established support system will encourage each individual to
achieve his/her goals.
One program is generally offered each month, servicing over 100
people annually. Each year, additional programs will be offered, expanding
the number of annual participants. Forest Moon strives to enroll 50% of its
participants from underserved rural communities in Vermont and
surrounding
states. |
Cynthia J. Blood, President & Co-founder
 Cindy,
completing her undergraduate work at The University of Vermont and her
MEd at The University of New Hampshire, voluntarily manages the affairs
of Forest Moon Inc. She is a breast cancer
survivor and lost her father to cancer. Having most recently served as
Director of Studies at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire, she
has experience with curriculum development and education and serves on
all six of the organization’s committees. Cindy grew up in Brattleboro,
VT and recently built a home with her husband in nearby Guilford. She lives in a
Deerfield Academy dormitory with her husband, her 1-year old
daughter, and sixteen “adopted”
children. Cindy enjoys hiking, 4-season backpacking,
biking, and laughing with friends.
Steve Scott, J.D., Vice President & Secretary
After graduating from Cornell Law School, Steve served for seven
years as Associate in the Corporate Department and Retail Financial
Services Group at Pierce Atwood, Northern New England’s largest law
firm. He currently is Counsel for the Corporate Law Department at
The First Marblehead
Corporation in Boston, MA. A practicing attorney, Steve will provide
sound legal advice to all of Forest Moon’s committees. Residing in
upstate New York with his wife and two young children, and having lived
in Woodsville, New Hampshire, Steve shares Forest Moon’s passion for
helping the underserved rural populations of New England. He enjoys
gardening, cooking, fitness, and following college sports (especially
his almamater Boston College).
Phillip T. Blood, Co-founder
Phil volunteers for Forest Moon on a part-time basis, serves as chair
of the organization’s Building Committee, and is a member of the Long
Range Strategic Planning Committee. Completing his undergraduate work at
Northeastern University and his graduate work in Ecology and Education
at The University of New Hampshire, Phil currently works in the
admissions office at Deerfield
Academy. He is a tongue cancer survivor and also serves as a caregiver to his
mother, who has gallbladder cancer. He is an experienced education administrator,
teacher, and group facilitator. He lives in a dormitory at Deerfield
Academy with his wife and 1-year-old daughter. Phil enjoys hiking, biking,
cross-country skiing, and backpacking with his wife and students from
the Deerfield Outdoor Club.
Frank Cermak
Mr. Cermak
has spent his entire career in the publishing business. With a wealth
of experience in operating oversight, consulting, and long-term
planning, Mr. Cermak is a strong contributor to the Long Range Strategic
Planning Committee and serves as chair of the Finance Committee. He and
his family have strong roots in Vermont where they own a home in the
Northeast Kingdom.
Phil Edelstein
A graduate of the University of
Connecticut, Mr. Edelstein has held management and technical positions
in the industrial recycling and environmental industries for 25 years
and has served on the board of several community organizations providing
guidance on environmental issues and water supply management. Phil
and his family recently converted their summer cabin in Whitingham, VT
to an “off-the-grid”, year round home. He was recently treated for
possible skin lymphoma.
Polly Macpherson
Mrs.
Macpherson, a breast cancer survivor, is currently the Breast Health
Coordinator for the REACH Community Health Foundation at North Adams
Regional Hospital. Mrs. Macpherson has over forty years of experience
in nonprofit organizations with a focus on education, healthcare, and
the arts. She joins the board with a multitude of development
experience and serves as chair of the Fundraising Committee.
Augustus G. Means III
Angus has an MBA from Boston University and attended Tufts and St.
Mark’s School. He has extensive experience in education, currently
teaching math at Buckingham Browne &
Nichols School. Gus has been profoundly affected by cancer, having
lost both parents to the disease. He serves as chair of the Long Range
Strategic Planning Committee and is a member of the Building Committee.
Gus owns property in rural New Hampshire and is committed to providing
rural populations with critical cancer support services. He enjoys
coaching hockey, landscaping projects, and spending time with his two
young children.
Dwight Williams
Mr.
Williams, Vice President at KeyBank in Brattleboro, VT is active in
numerous civic groups in southern Vermont. His family’s experience with
cancer led him to serve three years as chair of the Windham County Relay
for Life and now as chair of Forest Moon’s Wiffle® Ball Tournament and
Fundraiser. Mr. Williams sits on the Fundraising Committee and Long
Range Strategic Planning Committee.
Advisory Board
Susan Bauer-Wu, PhD, R.N.
 Susan
has extensive experience leading healing and renewal programs for cancer
patients and families and is co-founder of
Retreats To Renew. Susan’s
clinical experience in nursing (medical and breast oncology, psychiatry,
and hospice) provided the foundation for her doctoral and post-doctoral
work in psychoneuroimmunology and psycho-oncology. She previously
conducting quality of life and integrative therapies research (funded by
the National Institutes of Health) at the
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
in Boston, where she was the Director of the
Cantor
Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services
and Instructor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School. Currently,
Susan is an Associate Professor
at
Emory University in Atlanta and
Distinguished Cancer Scholar for the Georgia Cancer Coalition.
Susan has had strong roots to rural Vermont since childhood,
where her family still lives; she is deeply committed to sharing her
knowledge and providing service to cancer patients and families from
rural communities throughout New England. Susan resides in Brookline,
Massachusetts with her family.
Jeffrey J. Hogan
A graduate of Clark University, Jeff has extensive professional
experience in finance as well as volunteer experience on other nonprofit
boards. He currently is Regional Sales Manager for
Rogers Benefit Group
in Farmington, Connecticut and serves as an insurance consultant in the
health care industry. An avid hiker and frequent visitor to the mountains
of rural northern New England, Jeff feels a deep commitment to help
populations living in these regions. He is an active volunteer for the
Appalachian Mountain Club and Farmington Fire Department. Jeff also
keeps busy, along with his wife, following his son and daughter in their
numerous athletic pursuits.
Charles Iacovou, PhD, Treasurer
Charles is a business professor at
Wake Forest University and formerly was a faculty member at
Georgetown University. He brings expertise in the areas of business
management and technology. Charles created Forest Moon’s web site and
served as webmaster on a volunteer basis. Charles
completed his undergraduate work at the University of Vermont and his
doctoral studies at the University of British Columbia. He lives in
North Carolina with his wife and frequently returns to New England to
visit friends. Charles enjoys traveling and returns home to visit family
in Cyprus regularly.
Nora Yasumura
 Nora has a Masters in Social Work
from the New York University School of Social Work and attended the
University of Vermont. Forest Moon will benefit from her experience with
individual, group, and family therapy. Her background also includes
planning and hosting events and retreats. Currently the Assistant Dean
of Student Life and Advisor to Asian and Asian American Students at
Dartmouth College, Nora has developed many connections with the
communities in the Upper Valley and is passionate about helping this
population of survivors. She resides in a dormitory at Cardigan Mountain
School with her husband, daughter, and dog, Jasper. Nora and her husband
recently designed and built a home in Peacham, Vermont where they enjoy
spending time together.
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