Lois & Marti

Lois and I drove out to Marti's place so we could see where she is building the retreat for her non-profit, Second Wind Retreat, supporting and encouraging cancer patients to take time away from the intensity of the city, doctors and hospitals. Both of these womenare breast cancer survivors and actively give their time and energy helping others who have been diagnosed with cancer. Marti's home itself is so refreshing, but add to that the mint tea she served and the refreshment washed over me like a cool breeze. I practically floated back down the road to class!

Lois Werner:
Lois moved to Ellijay, GA full-time in 2006 from Naples, FL., where she had begun her work as an administrative assistant to 2 very wealthy families. She was able to take her job with her and works out of her home for the original families. Her services now extend out their children. She has a wonderful sense of gratitude about her whole situation as she said more than once in the hour we met, “I’m blessed.” Lois was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, an event she described as a real eye-opener. Her attitude toward life is that “good things always come out of a challenge”, a value she learned from her father. She received many gifts from her bout with cancer, one being the ability to say NO, and she found that no matter how badly she wanted to, she just couldn’t fix anyone else’s problems. Lois also spends much of her time helping others and is working towards building a stronger support group in Ellijay for women with breast cancer. The name of the organization is Breast Cancer Survivors’ Network. Currently there is no website, as they are in a transitional phase, but you may contact Lois at 706-635-8455 for meeting information or questions. Lois is also very involved with another excellent organization called Miracles in Action, a Naples-based non-profit that “Changes Lives by supporting Sustainable Development”. It is truly amazing what a small group of individuals can do. This team is transforming lives by helping impoverished people to support themselves, as well as working to save rainforests. Check out this website, it is truly a noble cause.

The effects of yoga on Lois: “I feel healthier all the way around and I can take it into everyday.”