The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation is excited to announce its first free health and wellness expo, called “Your Passport to Survivorship + Wellness.”

New England’s only all-cancers conference is open to all survivors, their loved ones, and anyone looking to live a healthier lifestyle. The expo will take place at the Renaissance Downtown Providence Hotel and at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 3.

Although it is an all-day event, interested attendees can come at any time to receive a wealth of information and are encouraged to attend the evening events near the State House –“Illuminations of Life: Hope Torch Procession” and the festival at the Celebration Village.

“Your Passport to Survivorship + Wellness” gives access to 50-plus organizations specializing in health, wellness and cancer care. There will be a Patient/Survivor Connections Lounge where attendees can share their stories and connect. The Interactive Health Zone invites attendees to take part in health screenings and receive information on fitness and survivorship. The Nutrition Lab promotes healthy eating habits and how to prepare healthy foods from nutritionists as well as various local restaurants.

In the main theater of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, a Wellness Link will take place where a diverse number of speakers will give short lectures on different topics related to breast cancer and survivorship. “Your Passport to Survivorship + Wellness” will also feature three renowned keynote speakers –Geralyn Lucas, author of “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy” and “Then Came Life”; Barbara Musseer, author of “Sexy After Cancer”; and Michael Samuelson, author of “Beyond Cancer Survival: Living a Life of Thrival” and “Voices from the Edge.”

Sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Astra Zeneca, Radiology Associates Greystone, Ava Anderson Nontoxic, Women’s Medicine Collaborative of Lifespan, MN Law Offices, South County Hospital, Southcoast Health and Whole Foods.

Maria Gemma Corcelli, executive director of the foundation, is overjoyed and believes that “‘Your Passport to Survivorship + Wellness’ has something for everyone. No matter what kind of cancer someone has been affected by, they share a common bond, and this expo will have all the resources under one roof to help those affected move forward. We are looking forward to a large group.” 

To preregister for the expo or for more information, visit www.flamesofhoperi.com.