Holly's Story Holly’s interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) began in 1990 when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and given no guarantees for a full recovery. Suddenly, she questioned her confidence in conventional medicine. Holly’s husband Mark, like at least 50 per cent of cancer patients, began to get calls from family and friends with recommendations of herbs and alternative treatments for "curing" cancer. While keeping an open mind, Holly began to investigate some of the herbal and nutritional recommendations. Her husband made an incredible recovery with a combination of intense chemotherapy, radiation, and herbal and nutritional support. Mark also had numerous physicians and nurses whom he trusted and greatly respected and together with an incredible family support network, and support from his employer he overcame the challenges he was presented with. Holly and Mark questioned some of the treatments, did some of their own research and made some major changes in their lifestyles regarding health. Research has identified all of these factors to be extremely important in the healing process. With Mark’s incredible recovery Holly decided she had to be better prepared should a recurrence happen, or if she, her children or someone she knew developed a life threatening illness. In 1996, Holly began taking courses and researching over 50 complementary and alternative health care practices, determining the value of each practice. Holly has personally experienced naturopathy, iridology, photocomparative blood analysis, electrodermal screening, applied kinesiology, vitamins and herbal therapy, bach flower therapy, aromatherapy, homeopathy, candida program, meditation, chi gong, tai chi, massage therapy, rolfing, chiropractics, active release, yoga, Chinese medicine, acupressure, and acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and reiki. She continues to experience the different therapies and evaluate them from an objective perspective. Holly, who was once very much committed to conventional medicine as being the best option, now incorporates her medical expertise with her alternative and complementary health expertiseto offer the most reliable information in integrative medicine. Holly is recognized as a Canadian leader and trusted source of reliable information in alternative and complementary medicine and is a strong advocate of integrative medicine.