The Gawler Cancer Foundation is dedicated to providing people who have received a cancer diagnosis with real options for improved health and wellbeing.

We do not claim that our complementary and alternative therapies are a cure for cancer. Rather we look to the latest mind-body medicine and cancer research, the experience of Ian Gawler, and the many people who have attended our programs over the past 30+ years with remarkable, life-changing results.

By sharing this knowledge, we’re helping people create healthier, more fulfilling lives in the face of cancer.

The way you live your life today and the choices you make can have a positive or negative impact on your state of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The lifestyle practices we promote are all research-based practices widely recognised for their health and wellbeing benefits.

For those who have exhausted traditional treatment methods, the Gawler Cancer Foundation’s natural therapies could be incorporated into their treatment plan.These alternative therapies are intended to complement cancer patients’ existing treatments and have helped people find hope, empowerment and inner peace. For over 30 years, we’ve seen prognoses challenged and lives transformed.

The natural therapies that are promoted through our programs work to safely support any medical treatments in your overall cancer treatment plan.

Our 7 Essential Elements are all research-based lifestyle practices widely recognised for their health and wellbeing benefits, and form the backbone of our retreat programs.

Regular Meditation helps cancer sufferers bring the body back to its natural state of balance – the ideal condition for the body to make the most of its inherent capacity for healing. The type of meditation we teach in our programs is derived from traditional practice. We call it Mindfulness-Based Stillness Meditation (MBSM). Many research studies now support the benefits of mindfulness and meditation for healing and preventing imbalances caused by stress, depression and decreased immunity that can lead to illnesses such as cancer.

Good Nutrition built on an organic plant-based wholefood diet, creates a cancer-unfriendly alkaline environment in the body and supports the body’s natural healing process. Clinical experience indicates that appropriate nutrition can create a disease-fighting environment in the body and support healing. The World Health Organisation states that at least 50% of cancers are related to diet and lifestyle. It is well documented that poor nutrition and low physical activity relate directly to the risk of cancer.

Power of the Mind as taught by our foundation is the re-evaluation of core beliefs and values and the practical application of positive thinking can stimulate both the conscious and unconscious mind to assist the body’s healing process. Participants are taught how to harness the power of the conscious mind to focus and set clear goals, to make well-informed choices and to develop a crucial sense of self-empowerment on their path to healing.

Emotional Healing involves the process of releasing pains of the past and resolving negative emotions, to free up emotional and physical energy to boost immunity. Opening your heart to positive experiences and emotions supports healing.

Quest for Meaning and purpose in life can offset the fears and worries for our own mortality and help maintain a positive state of mind. In several of our cancer counselling sessions, participants are invited to reflect on and share their ideas and beliefs on meaning, purpose and spirituality

Moderate Exercise can help prevent and improve the survival rates for people with cancer, support pain management, increase vitality and boost immunity and mental health. The World Cancer Research Fund has declared physical inactivity a risk factor for cancer. Many types of exercise offer a huge range of benefits and there is a consistent relationship between regular physical exercise and a reduction in the risk of death from any cause over a given period, including cancer.

Effective Support is essential to help people cope with the challenges and uncertainties of serious illness and work through the range of healing options and strategies. From a practical point of view we all recognise that having support can help maintain a positive mental state, reduce stress and adopt better coping practices.

Click here if you would like a more detailed explanation about our 7 Essential Elements, and how these practices can help you achieve your heath and wellbeing goals.

If you have any questions about our retreats and how you can incorporate our teachings in to your current treatment plan, please call us on 1300 651 211 or email info@gawler.org. Alternatively you can use the contact form below and one of our friendly client services team members will be in touch within 24 hours.