Description: Expressive writing has been shown to have many benefits for those facing chronic and serious illness. April Stearns, editor of Wildfire Magazine, will discuss the how expressive writing can be helpful in healing and share her experience translating the science about expressive writing into a writing program for young people with breast cancer. Participants will learn about the history of expressive writing in healing, expressive writing's role in physical healing, and how expressive writing interventions lead to improved outcomes. 

Guest Speaker: April Stearns was diagnosed at 35 years old with Stage 3 breast cancer that she found while breastfeeding her daughter. Four years later, while struggling to “go back to normal” and find other women in similar circumstances, April launched Wildfire Magazine. Now, in addition to publishing the stories of those “too young for breast cancer,” she also finds pleasure in helping others heal through learning to write and share their stories. April lives with her family on the coast of central California.