Past Programs
Learn about our programs.
See the positive impact we have on supporting young women facing cancer through our innovative programs.
Day Wellness Retreat at Langdon Hall, October 2024
During our time together, we moved, we breathed, and we intentionally created space for you to feel supported while nagivating a cancer diagnosis. A HUGE thank you to Harness the Hope and The Dustin Family for funding this Retreat, we thank you so much for your continued support.
Thank you to Toni from Wild Heart Yoga Cambridge for leading us in a nourishing yoga class, to Ashley, our incredible social worker for being there to support us throughout the day, to Elise, our Founder for sharing her story/creating this organization and making it is what it is today and to Melaina, our Director of Programs for designing this day and leading us in a restorative sound bath meditation to feel into the support of the room and wonderful participants.
Local Social Toronto, October 2024
Thank you for joining us for an incredible evening of letting go and moving into a place of finding harmony within. It was a wonderful night filled with so much support, kindness and compassion and we hope you all enjoyed the session. A very special thank you to Ritual Toronto for donating the space, to Malarie and Jessica for donating your time and expertise, and to Emily for organizing the program.
Local Social Toronto, April 2024
THANK YOU for joining our Toronto Local Social! Our Local Socials are designed for young women navigating a cancer diagnosis to connect, chat, and build friendships with others who simply get it. Thank you to Emily for hosting another epic social.
Sephora Brave Beauty Classes, October 2023
Thank you to all the wonderful humans who attended Sephora Canada’s Brave Beauty Classes this past October, we loved seeing your smiling faces during each class! We’re thankful for our continued partnership with @SephoraCanada — over the past five years, we’ve worked with their incredible team to host classes that specifically help address the visible effects of cancer treatments and inspire confidence and beauty through hands on learning.
Overnight Retreat Niagara, October 2023
Thank you all so much for joining us this weekend at our Overnight Wellness Retreat in Niagara. We welcomed 33 wonderful women for a weekend of connection, community and self-reflection, and it was truly a memorable weekend. Thank you to our team, speakers and peer supporters who joined us and also a special thank you to Carley’s Angels for your support.
Local Social, June 2023
Thank you for joining us at our London Local Social with our wonderful Ambassador Kristine Dustin! We hope you enjoyed your evening gathering in community while painting some pretty amazing pottery!
Day Retreats in Burlington & London, April 2023
Thank you SO much for joining us at our first in-person Retreats this past weekend, we were SO happy to have you!! Together we connected in community as we thoughtfully shared our stories, had conversations that mattered, and leaned on each other. Thank you to all those who joined us this weekend and to Harness the Hope, Kristine, Doreen and Brandi for joining and supporting us at our London Retreat and Ashley, Jen, Emily and Dory for sharing their experiences at our Burlington Retreat!
Sephora’s Brave Beauty Classes, October 2022
Reminiscing about @sephoracanada’s wonderful Brave Beauty Classes hosted in cities across Canada + virtually. Over 40 self-identifying young women facing any type of cancer attended sessions where participants explored their personal beauty style, through a safe and inclusive experience. Classes focused on the basics (with a few great beauty tips along the way!) and after each class, participants felt empowered + ready to live bold lives each and every day. Thank you to all who joined us, and to the team at Sephora. Debbie, Salma + Natalia, we so appreciate everything you and your team does for us!
Sephora’s Brave Beauty Classes, October 2021
Thank you all so much for joining us and @sephoracanada for their Classes for Confidence, Brave Beauty! The classes were designed by Sephora employees who’ve gone through a cancer diagnosis and wanted to protect their skin from harsh chemicals. Beauty experts shared some awesome makeup ‘how to’s’ for young women facing cancer.
Virtual Retreat October 2021
With young women joining us from across Canada, we had empowering discussions on health, and resiliency and spent the time getting to know one another through our roundtable sessions. Questions were answered, friendships were made and endless support was provided to this wonderful group of women who joined us. Thank you to Courtney + her team @kingeventsinc for hosting the retreat on their beautiful ‘Virtual Venue’, to the panelists; Dr. Punam Rana, Jillian Murphy, and Ian Scott, our roundtable experts; Eileen, Lisa, Heather, Emily, Ashley O, Laura, and Michelle, and programs team; Ashley, Melaina + Elise.
Virtual Retreat October 2020
This year has looked a lot different for all of us, and we’ve been dreaming up ways to continually support you from the comfort of your homes. Our virtual retreat will have many of the in-person retreat elements, with expert talks, roundtable sessions and open discussions in a safe and supportive virtual environment. We’ve also added a Wellness Kit filled with our favourite items to use throughout the retreat! Wellness Kits are limited to the first 50 participants registered. As we collectively adapt to our new normal, the goal of this retreat is to educate young women facing cancer about topics relevant to their health and wellbeing in the current times.
Niagara Retreat, March 2020
We welcomed 38 young women to our Niagara Retreat Weekend at Queens Landing. Together we dove into deep discussions, shared our stories, moved and learned in a safe and supportive environment. Thank you to Dr. Chana Korenblum, Dr. Lori Bouchard, Dr. Karen Glass, Heather McKeanh, Jamie Ciancio, Emily Piercell, Ashley Mikitzel, Elise Gasbarrino, Mary Howlett Nero, Bethany Cidican and Audra Reid for leading the women in wonderful sessions.
Kingston Retreat, Fall 2019
We welcomed 18 young women facing cancer to our first Retreat in Prince Edward County at The Drake Devonshire. Through roundtable discussions, light movement and open conversations, we learned, shared our stories and built a support system for young women facing cancer in Kingston. A special thank you to Dr. Kate Scott, Pam Fountas, Laura Mitchell, Elizabeth Adamson, and Emily Piercell for leading the women in informative sessions.
Brave Beauty in the Face of Cancer
Sephora created Classes for Confidence, specialized beauty classes to inspire fearlessness and build confidence in those facing cancer. These complimentary 90-minute, hands-on classes were hosted across Canada and were designed by Sephora employees, who are cancer survivors, to support others in their cancer journey.
Smithery Style Brunch with Pink Pearl
We’re excited to announce our partnership with Smithery this year and into 2020, Mavis and her team will be raising funds for our programs and we can’t stop smiling!
Smithery shared their expertise by teaming up with us to host a “Learn + Love Your Body Shape Brunch” at their Toronto studio in October 2019! During the workshop, we learned how to shop for your body shape – as Smithery curated flattering cuts for every body shape.
Spring 2019 Retreat
Our 2019 spring retreat was held in March at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We welcomed 30 young women for a 2-night retreat where we learned from each other and supported each other during our cancer journeys. Through small group discussions, expert talks and active sessions, our attendees felt empowered to share their stories while building the greatest friendships.
Pink Pearl would like to a special thank you Melaina Gasbarrino of SALT to TREE, for leading us in a gentle yoga practice and sound healing practice, Anne Marie from YWCA ENCORE for leading us in the greatest Zumba class, Marcy Wickett for her talk on Body Image, Laura Mitchell for her discussion on Fertility and Sex after Treatment, and Megan Quinn for her discussion on grief, Ashley Mikitzel for her discussion on palliative care, Dory Kashin for her discussion on fertility and Rachel Milan for her chat on being a mom with cancer.
Winter 2018 Retreat
Our 2018 fall retreat was held in November at Queens Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We welcomed 40 young women for a 2-night wellness retreat were we inspired each other to feel supported on their cancer journey. Through discussions, expert sessions and movement, this group of women found strength in empowering each other.
Pink Pearl would like to a special thank you Melaina Gasbarrino founder of SALT to TREE, for leading us in a gentle yoga practice and sound healing and group reiki session, Dr. Melissa Piercell, a naturopathic doctor for leading us in an interactive nutrition session, Taylor Jeffery, Registered Clinical Herbalist with the Ontario Herbalist Association, and founder of Apothecary Salveo for his wholistic approach to healing, Dr. Crystal Hann is a Radiation Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton for leading us in a discussion about life after cancer, Stephanie True Allin from YWCA ENCORE for leading a relaxing pilates class, Adrienne Bairstow, a psychotherapist for her discussion about sex and cancer and for Nataschia Wielink for her gorgeous photoshoot.
We would like to extend a special thank you to F*Cancer for their partnership for our November Wellness Retreat.
Winter 2018 Retreat
Our 2018 winter retreat was held in March at The Prince of Wales in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We welcomed 33 young women for a 2-night retreat were we inspired each other to feel supported on their cancer journey. Through discussions, expert sessions and movement, this group of women found strength in empowering each other. Pink Pearl would like to extend a special thank you Melaina Gasbarrino founder of SALT to TREE, for leading us in a gentle yoga practice, Taylor Jeffery, Registered Clinical Herbalist with the Ontario Herbalist Association, and founder of Apothecary Salveo for his wholistic approach to healing, Anne-Marie from YWCA ENCORE for leading a uplifting Zumba class, Joanne, COO of F*Cancer for her talk on telling our stories, Jayme Kraayvanger, a food-loving, enthusiastic Holistic Nutritionist for sharing her knowledge of healthy living, Ann Mantini-Celima founder of Wellspring Niagara for her roundtable discussion on finances and Dr. Crystal Hann, a Radiation Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at McMaster University, for sharing her knowledge of supporting each other during the cancer journey.
Spring 2017 Retreat
Our 2017 spring retreat was held in May at The InterContinental Toronto Yorkville in downtown Toronto. We welcomed 25 young women to a weekend of tell our stories and joining together to empower each other. Through open dialogue, expert sessions and creating, this group of women found strength in sharing their stories. Pink Pearl would like to extend a special thank you Laura Mitchell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, for sharing her knowledge on deepening relationships after being diagnosed with cancer, her support and expertise inspires us.
Fall 2016 Retreat
Our 2016 fall retreat was held in November at White Oaks Resort and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We welcomed 30 young women to a weekend of setting intentions in a safe and creative space. Through open dialogue, expert sessions and story telling, this group of women formed a bond like never before. Pink Pearl would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Punam Rana, a Pink Pearl Advisory Board Member, for sharing her expert advice and research on Living With, Through and Beyond Cancer in the AYA Community. Also, a thank you to Franca, owner of Alive Intention Bracelets, for guiding us through a meditation and bracelet making workshop to evoke positive energies always.
Spring 2016 Retreat
Our 2016 spring retreat was held in June at the beautiful Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We welcomed 31 female program participants to a weekend of wellness. Through mindful meditation, expert sessions and experienced-based design programming discussions, this retreat truly embodied the strength that Pink Pearl evokes. With many participants attending for the first-time, new bonds and close friendships formed. Pink Pearl would like to extend a very special thank you to Laura Mitchell, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, for sharing her thoughts on how we can find strength through relationships redefined as “the new normal”. Also, a special thank you to Theodora Kennedy for leading a guided painting session for our participants that evoked beauty found within the room.
Fall 2015 Retreat
Our 2015 fall retreat was held in November at the renowned White Oaks Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We welcomed 20 female program participants, including many familiar faces and some new ones too. Our planned sessions and activities evoked reflection about aspects of life that can and cannot be controlled. We brainstormed ideas on how to manage our experiences, shared our many worries and fears, and discussed the ways we take care of ourselves. It is our hope that a weekend filled with laughs, tears and friendships will make the holiday season a little brighter for our lovely ladies of Pink Pearl. A very special thank you to our esteemed guest speaker, Marci Shea-Perry, Executive Director, Camp Trillium. Marci passionately shared her story of her life’s work in pediatric oncology, as well as her own experience living with cancer.
Spring 2015 Retreat
“I am not what has happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” — Carl Jung. Our 2015 spring overnight retreat was held in June at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The theme for the retreat focused on living life. The weekend served as a reminder to live in the present, reflect on the good, and appreciate the little things that make a big difference in our lives. It was a reminder that we are all brilliantly beautiful!
Fall 2014 Retreat
Our 2014 fall overnight retreat was held in November at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The theme for the retreat focused on perspective, and how each person’s individual perspective on life creates a positive change within a community. The retreat was very comfortable and the hotel allowed for a very calm, relaxing atmosphere. The retreat sessions focused on natural healing and creating positive perspectives in life. The women were able to use this time to connect with one another with an open heart and big smiles.
Spring 2014 Retreat
Our 2014 spring overnight retreat was held in May at Queen’s Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The retreat sessions focused on financial management, art therapy and active living. The picturesque background boded positively for the women to create lasting connections with each other in a serene environment with notable local experts.
Fall 2013 Retreat
In November 2013, Pink Pearl’s overnight retreat was held at the beautiful Riverbend Inn & Vineyards, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The weekend brought together a group of 15 young women. Through our discussions, a relaxing, restorative yoga practice, morning nature hike along the Niagara River and Look Good Feel Better’s presentation, the women continued to find that much needed touch of pink in their lives.
Spring 2013 Retreat
Our day retreat was held in the serene environment of The Good Earth, located in Jordan. The day consisted of programming discussions, a companion support session, nature walk through the orchards, yoga overlooking the vineyards and a cooking class with The Good Earth’s notable chef. The sun was shining; the women were open to conversation and the environment proved a relaxing and trusting place for all to share their stories.