August letter from our Founder, Michele Gannon
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Dear Friends of Mary’s Place,
For many, August can feel like a time of transition. Some of us may be moving children into college dorms, preparing younger children to return to school, or simply getting everyone back into a familiar rhythm of schedules and routines.
It also feels like a fitting time for us to share a meaningful transition at Mary’s Place by the Sea: we have refreshed our Mission Statement to more clearly reflect the heart of what we do and what makes our organization so unique.
Our Mission Statement from 2016:
Our mission is to support women with cancer through integrative services which complement their medical treatment and empower, educate, and support their healing mind, body, and soul.
Our Mission Statement from 2026:
Our mission is to support women with cancer mind, body, and soul through wellness retreats and integrative services that build transformative connections at no cost to guests.
Our mission has not changed. How we describe it has.
Over the years, we have heard from so many guests about what happens during their time at Mary’s Place: the unexpected connections, the friendships, the stories shared, and the feeling of finally being surrounded by women who simply understand.
Those transformative connections are woven throughout every retreat, and they are often the catalyst for a profound shift in a woman’s journey.
At the beginning of each retreat, during our Meet & Greet, we invite every guest to show up completely and authentically as herself. There is no need to hold back the tears or put on a brave face. We encourage guests to sit together at dinner, share their stories, laugh, cry, and perhaps even step outside their comfort zones to form new friendships.
And what happens next is beautiful.
Friendships are formed. Stories that may have been buried away for years are finally shared. Laughter fills the house. Tears are met with compassion. And, almost organically, a sisterhood begins – a sisterhood that can endure the test of time, distance and even a cancer diagnosis.
That is the transformation we witness again and again.
Enjoy these final weeks of summer, and please don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.
Thank you to everyone who makes this possible – to our donors, volunteers, staff, supporters, and friends who believe in the power of this special place. And most of all, thank you to the women who make the bold decision to travel to Mary’s Place and, for just a short time, make the courageous choice to say:
“At this moment, I choose me.”
With heartfelt gratitude,
Michele Gannon
Founder & Executive Director
Mary’s Place by the Sea