Annie Appleseed Project – Testimonials
“The CAM conference is a treasure trove of cutting-edge complementary treatment strategies presented by experts in their fields, as well as inspirational stories from thriving cancer patients. What differentiates this conference from others is that there is an instant connection between presenters and participants, it is a community that shares not only their expert knowledge but also a degree of vulnerability that is an inevitable part of a cancer environment. Presentations are both clinical but also downright practical. To put theory into practice, delicious organic vegetarian food is served daily and affirms the communal sense. Exhibitors offer practical solutions to complementary care and are available throughout the entire conference. Every time I walk away inspired and know there is a place where both the proactive patient and integrative practitioner can be fueled to step outside the conventional box to receive and offer better solutions to improve cancer care.”
The Annie Appleseed Conference is a “must” for those with cancer and their caregivers. Coming back for my third conference has reaffirmed what amazing things happen here. From the speakers who open the door to possibility, to the amazing organic food, you won’t be disappointed. I think the best thing is to seeing so many faces I’ve come to love and respect, every year, still thriving. Thank you, Ann Fonfa, for sharing your story and giving a platform for others to share their stories as well.
Ann Fonfa’s conferences empower cancer patients with the information they need, to communicate clearly with doctors, and make truly informed choices. They also provide an opportunity for doctors to communicate outside of a medical setting, with cancer patients, to learn about their unmet medical needs. I have been attending Ann’s conferences for more than 10 years and I look forward to them every year, for the new information and inspiration they provide. Keep up the good work Annie!
“For the second time, I had the privilege of attending the annual Annie Appleseed Conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about complementary and alternative medicine in a very relaxed and supportive environment.
This conference attracts those who have been on a cancer journey for many years like me and neophytes. There is enough variety in the way of lectures, exhibitors and other participants to network with, for everyone to learn something new and useful.
Last but not least, the organic food was lovingly chosen and prepared and of course, tasted great. Annie had an artist help her with the food, so even the presentation of the food was pleasing and good for the soul.”
This conference attracts those who have been on a cancer journey for many years like me and neophytes. There is enough variety in the way of lectures, exhibitors and other participants to network with, for everyone to learn something new and useful.
Last but not least, the organic food was lovingly chosen and prepared and of course, tasted great. Annie had an artist help her with the food, so even the presentation of the food was pleasing and good for the soul.”
Kathleen Livingston,
Michigan Advocate
Michigan Advocate
As a provider, I found this conference to be exemplary in the amount of unbiased information presented on CAM cancer treatments. I work as a care navigator with Shanti’s Breast Cancer Program in San Francisco. Most of my clients are on the conventional treatment trajectory, but many are unsatisfied with the limited choices they have regarding treatment plans. Still, more are interested in complementary modalities, but they fear how these methods may interfere with their prescribed treatment. This conference and its speakers presented women like my own clients, with another choice, actual several choices, that combine the best of what Western medicine can offer in conjunction with more holistic approaches.
Whitney Miles,
Care Navigator/Wellness Coordinator
at Shanti Breast Cancer Program in San Francisco
Care Navigator/Wellness Coordinator
at Shanti Breast Cancer Program in San Francisco
The Annie Appleseed CAM conference is a must for anyone in search of relevant information on research based integrative cancer treatments. Doctors, researchers, authors and cancer survivors come together to create a wonderful forum to share and learn. The cornerstone of our non-profit’s mission is to provide empowerment and education to cancer patients…. the information we gather from CAM helps us to accomplish this.
My husband (who has lung cancer) and I attended the recent conference (2020) and absolutely loved it. So much information and I have pages and pages of notes! Thank you for doing this. I see the work involved and wish I was closer so I could help! FYI – I took a bunch of your pamphlets to pass out. I put a bunch at our cancer center in Sioux Falls, SD, and my cancer therapist wanted some to hand out to her clients. She was very interested in it. Again, thanks for all you (Ann) and your organization does to get the word out on alternative and complementary therapies.
Dodie Hook, Akron, IA
A direct communicator with a big heart, Ann Fonfa is a breast cancer survivor choosing to touch many lives. I’ve known her for over 20 years, and Ann’s evolution is impressive. Founder of the Annie Appleseed Project non-profit, creator of annual events, deliverer of free educational information, inclusion in Radical Remission New York Times best-seller, and much more, Ann continues with her meaningful work. She learns about new scientific findings, which she shares with others, and her commitment shines.
Intrepid cancer survivor turned activist Ann Fonfa brought this holistic philosophy to life on a warm January (2006) weekend in West Palm Beach, as she invited advocates, scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs alike to the first annual Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) Conference for cancer advocates. Particularly impressive was the keen focus on hard science and research data to support the various therapies and claims of effectiveness. One of the key problems facing the growing field is the relative scarcity of research studies, a result of inadequate funding for research into CAM.
Melanie Shouse
Komen St. Louis Research Advocate Committee
Komen St. Louis Research Advocate Committee
I am grateful for this opportunity to hear respected leaders and innovators in their fields.
I am appreciative that CAM has brought together two excellent speakers on the issue of cannabis, continuing from the great speakers we heard last year. Since so many states have now voted to allow legal growth and sale of cannabis for medical reasons, these issues are more important to discuss so the public is well educated as well as our state, county and cities. Not just the benefits nutritionally but how the industry impacts a community. In Michigan, where I live, it passed 2-3 years ago. Many businesses have opened, yet some cities are resistant to having these dispensaries in their borders, thinking they will bring in the wrong sort of people or they will be the scene of “Deals and Crime”. These worries are unfounded, the clinics and dispensaries and the licensing of growers and dispensers has gone on without any incidents that I have heard or read about in my community. Yet, the city council and some members of the community harbor suspicions. Therefore, it is great to have these resources to bring back to my community.
Also, the speakers for the cellular, mitochondrial, enzymes and macrophages were exceptional. Unless one works closely with cancer researchers, this type of information is not disseminated into the clinical setting where patients might learn about it from their physicians or read materials in the waiting room.
I was thrilled to meet Janet Roseman and share conversation about her research and the book which came out of it to bring a new mode of empowerment to women in support groups. I purchased her book, have read parts of it, and will likely incorporate her theories of the strong will of Joan of Arc into my new introduction to Integrative therapies support group which is meet initially monthly and perhaps move to bi-monthly at the Lake House, a place for those touched by Cancer in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
I am appreciative that CAM has brought together two excellent speakers on the issue of cannabis, continuing from the great speakers we heard last year. Since so many states have now voted to allow legal growth and sale of cannabis for medical reasons, these issues are more important to discuss so the public is well educated as well as our state, county and cities. Not just the benefits nutritionally but how the industry impacts a community. In Michigan, where I live, it passed 2-3 years ago. Many businesses have opened, yet some cities are resistant to having these dispensaries in their borders, thinking they will bring in the wrong sort of people or they will be the scene of “Deals and Crime”. These worries are unfounded, the clinics and dispensaries and the licensing of growers and dispensers has gone on without any incidents that I have heard or read about in my community. Yet, the city council and some members of the community harbor suspicions. Therefore, it is great to have these resources to bring back to my community.
Also, the speakers for the cellular, mitochondrial, enzymes and macrophages were exceptional. Unless one works closely with cancer researchers, this type of information is not disseminated into the clinical setting where patients might learn about it from their physicians or read materials in the waiting room.
I was thrilled to meet Janet Roseman and share conversation about her research and the book which came out of it to bring a new mode of empowerment to women in support groups. I purchased her book, have read parts of it, and will likely incorporate her theories of the strong will of Joan of Arc into my new introduction to Integrative therapies support group which is meet initially monthly and perhaps move to bi-monthly at the Lake House, a place for those touched by Cancer in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
Suzanne Gauvreau,
Patient Advocate,
3x breast cancer survivor,
An Annie Appleseed Project board member (Feb 2020)
Patient Advocate,
3x breast cancer survivor,
An Annie Appleseed Project board member (Feb 2020)
Thank you, Ann. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the conference and thank you for the work that you do. The ability to attend a conference that offers the latest available alternatives provides hope to so many who may have been offered none. I cannot wait to see next year’s agenda and plan to attend again.
Denise Peise
Dear Ann,
Thank you for the partial scholarship for your Cancer Conference in February. I was greatly inspired being surrounded by so many people that were taking responsibility for their own health! The speakers and attendees were so positive!
I returned to Minnesota with so much information! I’m excited to share with you that my family and I are eating more healthily. We have a juicer and use it twice daily! My 7-year old loves to help juice! (He loves ginger shots!) Currently I am listening to the holistic cannabis summit.
These changes are directly related to my experience at your conference.
Thank you for the delicious/nutritious meals! Wow! What an inspiration to eat that wonderful food and come home to search for similar recipes for my family of 7.
Also, I have a friend that has an infant with a seizure disorder. She is now off one of the horrific seizure meds she was on and she is taking medical cannabis. Hooray!
You are truly spreading goodness and I am thankful for your gift to me!
Thank you for the partial scholarship for your Cancer Conference in February. I was greatly inspired being surrounded by so many people that were taking responsibility for their own health! The speakers and attendees were so positive!
I returned to Minnesota with so much information! I’m excited to share with you that my family and I are eating more healthily. We have a juicer and use it twice daily! My 7-year old loves to help juice! (He loves ginger shots!) Currently I am listening to the holistic cannabis summit.
These changes are directly related to my experience at your conference.
Thank you for the delicious/nutritious meals! Wow! What an inspiration to eat that wonderful food and come home to search for similar recipes for my family of 7.
Also, I have a friend that has an infant with a seizure disorder. She is now off one of the horrific seizure meds she was on and she is taking medical cannabis. Hooray!
You are truly spreading goodness and I am thankful for your gift to me!
Hi Ann,
The annual conferences are priceless and so much appreciated.
Dr. Tan in particular (at the 2020 conference) was excellent.
The annual conferences are priceless and so much appreciated.
Dr. Tan in particular (at the 2020 conference) was excellent.
Harold Brodsky,
former practicing Dentist
former practicing Dentist
Hi Ann,
Thank you SO much for another wonderful conference experience!!! and thank you for introducing me to Marianne Hudson- she is going to come and work with us! Our acupuncturists had just informed me that they would be focusing on their private practice, and boom, you put Marianne right there in front of me- THANK YOU!!! She’ll be starting with us in April, so thank you for making the hook up! I really appreciate all that you do.
I am grateful for you
Thank you SO much for another wonderful conference experience!!! and thank you for introducing me to Marianne Hudson- she is going to come and work with us! Our acupuncturists had just informed me that they would be focusing on their private practice, and boom, you put Marianne right there in front of me- THANK YOU!!! She’ll be starting with us in April, so thank you for making the hook up! I really appreciate all that you do.
I am grateful for you
Corinne Lemal Danielson,
MPH, CHES, Executive Director
Sari Asher Center for Integrative Cancer Care
MPH, CHES, Executive Director
Sari Asher Center for Integrative Cancer Care
I am a retired professor of accounting, having taught at Loyola University for 35 years.
The best thing I can tell you about a conference like this…what Annie has put together…is that it will save our lives. It gives us a forum to talk to one another without feeling embarrassed. We’re not doctors, but we need them. This is the forum!
Annie, you have done a great thing for all of us.
The best thing I can tell you about a conference like this…what Annie has put together…is that it will save our lives. It gives us a forum to talk to one another without feeling embarrassed. We’re not doctors, but we need them. This is the forum!
Annie, you have done a great thing for all of us.