Community Corner

Keeping a Beat Helps Those Touched by Cancer Find Peace

The Gathering Place's drum circles help cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones deal with stress.

The stress from dealing with cancer can often be overwhelming, and not just for patients. Families, friends and other loved ones are often affected deeply by the disease.

But after an hour and a half of drumming at The Gathering Place in Westlake, participants said they felt more centered and peaceful.

"I thought it would be a neat way to let out my sadness and my anxiety, and I did," said two-time cancer survivor Karen MacGregor.

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Children, teenagers, adults and seniors all took part in the drumming, taking turns holding down the beat. In between drumming, group members shared their worries, feelings and concerns.

"It centered me very much," said partcipant Sandy Wise. "I came here with a lot of problems in my head and I can't even tell you what they are now. It's like they're gone."

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