Lifestyle, Wellness and Cancer November 2025

The Health Lecture Series was designed to empower the Loreto community with practical, evidence-based information on cancer screening, prevention, and the psychological dimensions of cancer care. The series featured Brian Samuels, MD, who discussed what is proven and emerging in cancer screening; Lesley Samuels, MD, who explored the powerful connection between psychological health and survivorship; and Tracey Delaplain, MD, DipACLM, who highlighted how the core pillars of lifestyle medicine—plant-based nutrition, regular physical activity, avoiding toxic substances, restorative sleep, relationships, and stress management—support cancer prevention, treatment success, and long-term survival. The lectures were well attended and created meaningful connections between Loreto town and Loreto Bay residents. The final session, led by registered dietitian and author Sue Linja, RD, brought learning to life through an interactive, team-based smoothie-making activity using nutritious ingredients selected at random. The series offered not only valuable education, but also a shared space for learning, collaboration, and community building.

Link to the Health Series recordings

December 12, 2025
Build Comfort Care Kits Party in Loreto Bay

Give Comfort. Give Hope.
Cancer Comfort Care Kits

With your help, BCO is able to build Cancer Comfort Kits for Patients in Baja

For patients, cancer treatment means long trips, nights away from home, and hours in waiting rooms. A Comfort Kit helps ease the journey—providing warmth, nourishment, and encouragement when it’s needed most.

Each kit may include:
🧣 Cozy scarf & warm socks, many patients take the 2am bus to La Paz

🧣Soft beanie, treatment rooms are often cold and many patients lose their hair with chemotherapy. A silky eye mask to improve sleep or just to relax.
😷 Protective masks and hand sanitizer
💧 Water bottle & soothing teas
💄 Lip balm & fragrance-free lotion
📓 Adult coloring book and pencils for distraction and relaxation during long treatments
💌 A handwritten note of hope and educational materials.

Cost per kit: $50
Every gift ensures a patient doesn’t face treatment empty-handed or alone.

✨ Sponsor a kit today and bring comfort where it matters most. ✨

Baja Cancer Outreach
Hope Rising in Baja

September 20, 2025

Cancer Fighting Foods, a project with Plant Diego and Tracy’s Real Foods

Dr. Delaplain spoke about why foods matter in the prevention and treatment of cancer, food is medicine. How to add super cancer fighting foods to everyone’s diet. The best cancer fighting foods include all the colorful fruits and vegetables especially: berries, green tea, the broccoli/cabbage family, deep green leafy vegetables, ground flax seed, and mushrooms. Also include high fiber whole grains and legumes like lentils, soy and beans.

September 13, 2025

Let’s Beat Breast Cancer, A project of the Physician’s For Responsible Medicine

San Diego, California

Dr. Tracey Delaplain was invited to discuss the four lifestyle pillars adopted by the American Medical Association in June 2025, to reduce breast cancer risk: plant based diets, exercise, avoiding alcohol and maintaining a healthy weight. Dietas basadas en plantas, ejercicio, evitar el alcohol, mantener un peso saludable.

Partnering with the Loreto Bay Quilt Group 2024

We value our care partners and have worked closely with the artisans of Loreto Bay Quilt Group to receive and donate beautiful handmade quilts to women newly diagnosed with cancer as a way of saying, “We see you and we understand.” These quilts are made with love and they wrap our patients in hope and understanding. Board member, Cathie Livingston is a creative Loreto Bay quilter.

The Quilters were instrumental in organizing the Hospice Quilt Raffle in 2024. Kasia Stahancyk was in charge of the successful Pink Tea raffle and personally donated a beautiful handmade quilt for the silent auction. Many of the Loreto Bay Quilt Group donated their time at 2025 The Pink Tea.