Two local women were honored by television talk-show host Rachel Ray on a show that aired Monday.
Maria McKeon, of Ocean Grove and Michele Gannon, of Interlaken – founders of a retreat house for women cancer patients -- were among those invited to the Rachael Ray Show’s “Thanks For Giving” program, which aired Monday.
Monday’s Rachel Ray show was a giveaway show, where each of the audience members were given gifts, valuing more than $5,000.
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“Being in the studio audience and realizing that the show was a "giveaway" show was surreal,’’ Gannon said Monday. “We laughed, we cried and we felt grateful.”
McKeon and Gannon founded Mary’s Place By The Sea, an Ocean Grove retreat where women battling or in recovery from cancer can relax. Mary’s Place was created as a way for women to put their cancer on the back burner, Gannon said.
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For three days, women battling cancer can relax by the sea. The stay is free and offers a variety of pampering activities designed just for women in cancer treatment. Mary’s Place offers oncological massage, nutritional counseling, reiki and counseling that empower women to become active participants in their healing.
“Most importantly we surround them with love,” Gannon said.
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