Education and Resources

Christina Tecson, MSW, a breast cancer survivor and social worker who facilitates our Complementary Cancer Care support groups, offers individual mental health counseling, supportive counseling, and resource navigation services.  Christina currently serves as President of Complementary Cancer Care.

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Elise Pearce, PT, DPT, Florida License #29986, specializes in telehealth exercising and wellness for aging adults. Elise provides a FREE Wellness Assessments for Complementary Cancer Care.  In her 30-minute session she will assess your situation and advise you about which practices would be beneficial and which ones to avoid.

Website: Live Gracefully Physio and Wellness, PLLC
Phone: 814-322-7476
Email: [email protected]

Lorien Neargarder, is a yoga therapist specializing in cancer, located in Cocoa.  Lorien offers weekly classes and educational talks through Complementary Cancer Care and currently serves as Secretary.

Website: Yoga by Lorien
Phone: 408-476-0487
Email:  [email protected]

Muhammad Haqq, LMT, ESMT – Qigong/Tai Chi instructor (Riverside Park in Cocoa Village); Relaxation, Clinical & Sports Massage

Cocoa Village Massage
607 Florida Ave, Suite 1, Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: 321-634-4555
Email: [email protected] 

Brendan Zachar, D.O.M., Acupuncture Physician at Brevard Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine, where their holistic-minded approach uses natural healing methods based on Modern and Traditional Oriental Medicine to help uncover and treat the root cause of your health problems, safely, and effectively.  Services include acupuncture, medical massage, nutrition & supplements, and herbal medicine.

Website: Brevard Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine
1978 US-1 #107, Rockledge, FL 32955
Phone: 321-802-1046
Email: [email protected]

TEPAS Breast Center, established in 2007, is Brevard’s first comprehensive breast center offering advanced breast care services including 3D Mammography, 4D breast ultrasound, image guided breast biopsies, clinical consultation, support services and more.  Led by a team of board-certified radiologists and breast surgeon, TEPAS Breast Center was created to deliver more accurate prevention, early detection, diagnosis and support services in an environment of compassionate and coordinated care and support.

Website: TEPAS Breast Center
NASA Palms Professional Center
1140 Broadband Drive, Melbourne, FL 32901
Phone: 321-312-4178

Space Coast Thermography provides the most technologically advanced medical thermal imaging system available in Brevard County. ​Thermography can detect inflammation as temperature rises in areas with increased blood flow, and it can be used as a risk assessment tool to detect and monitor abnormal physiology in the body.

Website: Space Coast Thermography
7125 Turner Rd., Suite #101, Rockledge, FL 32955 (Off of Suntree Blvd.)
Phone: 321-574-9014
Email: [email protected]

Candlelighters of Brevard, Inc. is a non-profit organization offering emotional support and financial assistance to children with cancer and their families in Brevard and Indian River counties. We are dedicated to the children we serve and the families that support them. We know that in addition to the shock of diagnosis and treatment, there is a tremendous financial burden, an endless amount of travel, and an overwhelming emotional impact. Candlelighters is committed to ensuring that our local children and their families have the support and resources they need in order to fight back.

Website: Candlelighters of Brevard, Inc.
436 5th Avenue, Suite 1, Indialantic, FL 32903
Phone: 321-728-5600
Fax: 321-802-9707
Email: [email protected]candlelightersofbrevard.org

Wig Diva by Janet McKune – We specialize in wigs for cancer patients. Offering synthetic and human hair wigs in different styles and colors.  Established in 2018, we opened Wig Diva with the purpose of helping people who lost their hair due to cancer or any other illnesses. Considering how many cancer centers there were in the area, I knew that there was a need for this service. After opening we have helped so many people and donated so many wigs.  My purpose is to help people see the beauty within themselves when it is hard to see it. My wigs help give people back something that was taken away from them…their hair. I sit on the CancerCares.org and Complementary Cancer Care’s advisory boards as well as use my business as a wig donation drop off location.

Janet manages Complementary Cancer Care’s Wig Boutique where cancer patients can receive a FREE donated wig!

Contact Janet to make an appointment:
Phone: 321-848-4327
Email: [email protected]
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Judy Carroll, OTR/L – Specializing in Lymphedema, located in Melbourne.  I am an occupational therapist certified in Lymphedema therapy and breast cancer rehabilitation. My passion is to assist patients recovering from surgery and/or treatment for cancer.  I am also a certified driving evaluator administering driving evaluations for clients who have had medical changes that could be affecting their driving ability.

3063 Sweet Pine Dr, Melbourne, FL 32935-4587
Phone: 321-243-5825

Reverend Scott Donat, Certified Reflexologist at The Foot Guy.  My name is Scott Donat and I am The FootGuy. Using the ancient healing technique of Reflexology, I lead you to discover and learn the story that your body and subconscious is trying to tell. What I do is not a foot rub or hand massage. It is a powerful physical, emotional, and spiritual reading that offers the opportunity for discovery and release, leading to balance. I will help you learn to experience wellness.

Website: The Foot Guy
4705 Seattle St. Cocoa, FL 32927
Phone: 321-458-3944
Email: [email protected]

Cecelia Avitabile, Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritional Consultant at The Herb Corner & Learning Center in Melbourne.  I work with clients to understand better what their body needs, and I strive to give my customers the best service, advice, and products I can.  We offer herbs, balms, salves, tinctures, capsules, herbal supplies, and so much more!  Jewelry, Unique Gifts, Handmade Soaps & Lotions, Gemstones,
and Essential Oils.  Private consultations available.

Website: The Herb Corner & Learning Center
277 N. Babcock Street, Melbourne, FL
Phone: 321-757-7522

Heather Boreske, BA, CLT, owner of Nurturing Sol Healing Arts, offers integrative whole body healing modalities for those healing from cancer and chronic health disorders in Rockledge. She empowers people to live in a more sustainable way that energizes them in body, mind, and spirit. Her services include assisted lymphatic drainage, maya abdominal massage, energy medicine, biofeedback, ionic detox footbaths, & detox protocols. Assisted lymphatic therapy is equal to 8-10 manual lymph sessions and helps the body to recover from illness by activating immune cells and penetrating up to 8 inches into the deepest layers of the lymphatic system promoting detoxification and healing.

“I absolutely love supporting my clients to find their way back to true health and getting to the root cause of chronic issues so they can heal on all levels, especially those who are experiencing, or recovering from chronic illness”.

Website: www.nurturingsol.com
5595 Schenck Ave. Suite 8, Rockledge, FL 32955
Phone: 941-248-9127
email: [email protected]

St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care – Since 1977, we have served as Brevard’s only independent, not-for-profit comfort care resource, helping patients and those they love during the most delicate times in their lives. Founded on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care offers a diverse range of compassionate care services including palliative care, hospice and grief support for all ages. Every day, we strive to provide specialized care that reflects the values, preferences and traditions that matter most to each patient and family we are privileged to serve.

Website: St. Francis Reflections Lifestage Care
Phone: 321-269-4240
Emergency after hours: 321-720-5256

Edward M. Poe Hospice Care Center
1240 Grumman Place
Titusville, FL 32780

St. Francis Reflections Melbourne Care Center
250 N Wickham Rd,
Melbourne, FL 32935
Located within Melbourne Regional Medical Center

Cancer Care Centers of Brevard is a practice in The US Oncology Network (The Network). This collaboration unites the practice with more than 1,200 independent physicians dedicated to delivering value-based, integrated care to patients — close to home. Through The Network, these independent doctors come together to form a community of shared expertise and resources dedicated to advancing local cancer care and to delivering better patient outcomes.

Cancer Care Centers of Brevard has multiple locations throughout Brevard County.  Click here for locations and contact information.

Website: Cancer Care Centers of Brevard

Local resources who support Complementary Cancer Care:

Widerman Malek, PL is a national law firm with a family and community-centered approach. Our strong bond with our community, our families, is the cornerstone of our practice. Widerman Malek, PL takes a down-to-earth and common-sense approach to your complex legal issues. We understand that it can be stressful when legal issues hit home, and we will empower you to take full advantage of your legal rights.

Website: Widerman Malek, PL
1990 West New Haven Ave. Suite 201, Melbourne, FL 32904
Phone: 321-341-4872
Fax: 321-255-2351

Financial Cornerstone Group is a team of holistic practitioners.  Our genuine desire is to truly know and understand every aspect of your financial situation, and provide you with only the highest quality information, services, and products to help you reach your goals – and to serve in a non-judgmental and supportive way.

Website: Financial Cornerstone Group
190 McIver Lane, Rockledge, FL 32955
1490 Hwy A1A, Suite 202, Satellite Beach, FL 32937
2197 Julian Avenue NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905
Phone: 321-735-4994
Fax: 321-305-5994
Email: [email protected]

Here are a wide variety of resources to assist you though your journey with cancer.

National Cancer Institute – Comprehensive Cancer Information

American Cancer Society – Support & Resources 

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Learn About Managing Your Chemotherapy

CDC’s Guide on Neutropenia – a decrease in the number of white blood cells. These cells are the body’s main defense against infection. Neutropenia is common after receiving chemotherapy and increases your risk for infections.

Risks and Prevention of Infection During Cancer Treatment – A variety of educational materials were created to help raise awareness about the importance of preventing infections in cancer patients.

Aging Matters in Brevard Sunflower House – Caregiver Conversation with Complementary Cancer Care – Panel Discussion Video

Aging Matters in Brevard – Three Quick Tips for Caregivers Video

American Cancer Society

Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s Integrative Cancer Care Information – Integrative care has two layers. First, conventional treatments attack the disease itself. At the same time, evidence-informed therapies help combat cancer-related side effects.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network – Patient and Caregiver Resources

Cancer Hope Network – provides free one-on-one peer support for adult cancer patients and their loved ones.

Imerman Angels: one-on-one support – Imerman Angels’ mission is to provide comfort and understanding for all cancer fighters, survivors, previvors and caregivers through a personalized, one-on-one connection with someone who has been there.  We envision a world where cancer is not a solitary experience.

Cancer Support Community – We believe that Community is Stronger than Cancer. We are a relentless ally for anyone who strives to manage the realities of this disruptive disease, so no one faces cancer alone.

Cancer Care – Online support groups by disease.  Professional oncology social workers provide free emotional and practical support for people with cancer, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Health Library

Quality Health – 10 Helpful Apps for Cancer Patients

Friend for Life Cancer Support Network – To help persons diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones navigate the path through diagnosis, treatment and recovery by pairing them with a trained survivor of a similar experience so they can face cancer with someone who’s been there.

Diane Kingsley RD LDN LMT is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian, located in Vero Beach – Simple Health Options

MD Anderson Cancer Center – At the Table website

PearlPoint Nutrition Services – Schedule a Dietitian Consultation

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Nutrition Services

Cancer Treatment Centers of America – Nutritional Support

Rebecca Katz – Cookbooks and online course

Cancer Support Community – Diet & Nutrition page

Eat Right to Fight Cancer – Oncology Nutrition 

Cancer Dietitian – Cancer Dietitian Programs

Cook for Your Life – Healthy Cooking for People Touched by Cancer

Nancy Bindig Art – Nancy supports Complementaty Cancer Care as our Creative Expressions Art Instructor.  She has a studio in Eau Gallie, where she also conducts Community Based Art Classes taught to adults in a supportive setting.  Break through obstacles and re-discover creativity.  Art techniques for relaxation and self-expression.  Fun exercises coupled with a lesson in either technique or an introduction to a medium.

Website: Nancy Bindig Art
Highland Art Studio, 1425 Highland Ave, Melbourne, FL (in the Eau Gallie Arts District)
Phone: 321-213-3390
Email: [email protected]

Dragon Point Inshore Charters – Come and experience the beautiful water and the excitement of catching some amazing fish with Captain Mark McQuagge. He will supply all the equipment; all you need is to come and have some fun!!!!

Facebook – Dragon Point Inshore Charters
Indian Harbor Beach
Phone: 321-917-3598

Cancer + Yoga by Lorien Neargarder – Free recorded yoga, meditation and qigong classes on YouTube with yoga therapist Lorien Neargarder

Guided Meditations by Jean Di Carlo-Wagner – Free guided meditations from yoga therapist and cancer survivor Jean Di Carlo-Wagner on Soundcloud

CancerCARE Point: Guided Imagery Podcasts – Free audio recordings from Cynthia McDonald, PhD to help cancer patients and caregivers reduce stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, and prepare for treatment and medical appointments

Bone Makers – Exercise program for people with osteoporosis

Cancer Support Community – Explore our collection of yoga lessons, gentle exercises, and meditation videos specifically designed with the needs of people impacted by cancer in mind at our Mind Body Studio.