By Crystal Harrell
Shay Moraga’s story begins with her triple negative breast cancer diagnosis in 2016, fighting for her life until the day she was told that her cancer was gone. Now as the founder and visionary behind Shay’s Warriors life after cancer, a non-profit that was formed in the Coachella Valley to help the cancer survivorship community, Shay and her team are determined to uphold the mission of inspiring, informing, and helping heal cancer survivors and their families through the mind/body connection.
On Saturday, October 21, the first annual GROW at the Gardens event will take place in partnership with The Gardens on El Paseo during Breast Cancer Awareness month—aiming to uplift the community together. This event is a mini-retreat open to not only the cancer community and their families but the entire public with day-long wellness experiences focused on setting realistic goals, providing opportunities for personal growth, and promoting success through movement and education. It is an extension of the ‘I AM HOPE Survivors Reset Retreat’ held each June during National Cancer Survivors Month, and sponsored by Skin Lab, CSI and Contour Dermatology.
“We’ve had a lot of people ask, what exactly goes on at your survivors’retreats? So we found a way to bring a glimpse of this to our entire community. We’ve put through over 100 survivors now and we wanted to do something for the community, because when someone goes through cancer, everybody goes through cancer. Our vision is that no cancer survivor goes without ongoing support among a community who understands helping others continue the healing journey. Our purpose is a community of women and men who share their experience, courage, and inspire hope with each other so that the trauma and PTSD of going through cancer can be dealt with even after treatment or an ongoing diagnosis together with those who understand the most because we too have walked the same path. GROW is an extension of that retreat, and the community can see and hear and heal alongside survivors this day,” shared Moraga.
Throughout the years, The Gardens on El Paseo has been actively involved in community support. Since 2020, over $16,000 has been donated to local nonprofits in the Coachella Valley. In 2021, The Gardens collaborated with Shay’s Warriors and artist Lindsay Made This to create the “We Hope in Color Mural.” This mural, located between Bottega Veneta and Anthropologie, serves as a gift to the cancer community and encourages individuals to share their stories of hope and support. Additionally, a $1,000 donation was made in Pat Camacho’s name in 2022, the Manager of UNOde50, benefiting Shay’s Warriors. This contribution helped send four extra cancer survivors to their first annual retreat.
GROW at the Gardens starts at 8 a.m. with invigorating fitness classes in Yoga, Spin, and Pilates at The Gardens on El Paseo. Start your day on the center lawn, surrounded by the beauty of nature. Led by community fitness experts, these sessions are designed to help you find balance, stretch your body, and cultivate a peaceful mindset— including Yoga with Namaste with Shay at 8 a.m., Pure Barre Palm Desert at 9 a.m., Chiropilates at 10 a.m., Cycle Bar at 10 a.m. at the Center Fountain, and Yoga Six at 11 a.m.
“We start in the morning with Move2Heal, a Shays’s Warriors Monthly program that promotes healing movement and mindset that anyone can do. After cancer or any type of trauma, we should all learn to move our bodies in different ways and breathe for healing. Our fitness schedule for that day actually gives everyone the opportunity to do this,” shared Moraga.
Starting at 12:30 p.m., an exciting fashion showcase featuring collections that seamlessly transition from the gym to a night out on the town will take place. Renowned brands such as Anthropologie, Lululemon, TravisMathew, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Rancho Relaxo will be presented in an unforgettable display of versatile and stylish outfits that cater to an active lifestyle.
The day then follows with informative and interactive wellness workshops led by experts. Participants can explore topics like mindfulness, nutrition, holistic healing, breathwork, and stress management. They can also gain valuable insights, practical tips, and techniques to enhance their well-being. The workshop line-up includes Health Wellness + Nutrition with Rebecca Montez Dabbs at 1:30 p.m., Breath Work with Rosemary Flaherty at 2:15 p.m., a Q&A with Sandie Newton and local cancer survivors at 3 p.m., and internationally known TEDx speaker Jodi Wellman at 4 p.m.
“We have put together informative and interactive workshops that are led by Wellness experts.
Not only has Shay’s Warriors’ Life After Cancer worked with in the past, but also people that are very well diverse on mindfulness, nutrition, holistic healing and stress management. We want to make sure that everyone has valuable insight, some practical tips, and techniques to enhance everyone’s wellbeing. You don’t have to have a lot to understand what it’s like to go through cancer, or help take care of someone who is, and there are practical tips that can help you get through it all,” said Moraga.
Vendors will be stationed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the bridge between Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. Some of the exclusive vendors will include Skin Lab, LiveWell Clinic, BodymetRX, Shay’s Warriors Swag Shop, Sottovoce Cafe, Grounded Body Works, and Dr. Cleo Amelia.
GROW at the Gardens will conclude with a Sunset Meditation & Sound Bath at 5 p.m. at the Center Lawn. Attendees are invited to witness the breathtaking sunset while participating in a serene and guided sound bath session by the one and only Divine Sound. Here everyone can find stillness within, let go of stress, and embrace a sense of calmness—allowing the healing energy of the setting sun to wash away any tensions, to feel refreshed and centered.
“The one thing about cancer survivors is we understand what a second chance at life means.
GROW at the Gardens is meant to help someone who’s never been around anyone with cancer or has not experienced it. It is by listening to their stories on how facing death can actually make you want to live each day to the fullest. If you’re stuck in life itself right now, no matter if you’re a cancer survivor or not, sometimes hearing from people who have had a brush with death or who are in this space where they don’t know what their future holds, can actually flip a switch. Who knows, you may very well find your purpose in seeing and hearing the stories of survivors who are some of the most resilient people I know. You don’t have to wait for something like cancer to happen to know that life is a gift,” shared Moraga.
To learn more about GROW at the Gardens or other events by Shay’s Warriors, visit shays warriors.org.
