rePorT Toour CoMMuNItY

Evette McAlister, a survivor of breast cancer, and her family are all Wellness Community participants. The entire family found hope

and support at The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura.

Photo by Ginny Rickey

15 WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS(Totaling 637 sessions)

Support groups for cancer patients and fam-ily members are facilitated by professional therapists who specialize in psychosocialoncology issues.

8 MONTHLYNETWORKING GROUPS(Totaling 102 sessions)

Networking groups are designed for people with similar experiences, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, brain tumors, and gynecological/ovarian cancer. These groups are facilitated by professional therapists, registered nurses and peers who specialize in psychosocial oncology issues.

9 WEEKLY MIND/BODY/EXERCISE CLASSES(Totaling 566 sessions)

Mind/body classes such as yoga, Tai Chi Chih and Qigong aid in stress reduction, enable people with cancer to gain strength and stamina and promote a sense of well-being. All classes are led by experienced practitioners who have worked extensively with cancer survivors.

SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS(Totaling 88 sessions)

These services include the underserved, monolingual Spanish-speaking participants with any type of cancer, and are facilitated by bilingual, culturally-fl uent therapists. Programs offered include support groups, mind/body programs, social activities, peer support, one-to-one outreach to patients in oncology clinics, annual Latina Women’s Conference and Kids Circle.

4 EDUCATIONAL SERIES(Totaling 29 sessions)

Educational series are held for 6-10 weeks each to provide those affected with cancer and their caregivers in-depth strategies, tools and resources to cope with the experience of cancer and treatment. Facilitated by professional therapists and oncology experts, series include: Breast Cancer Connection, Frankly Speaking About: New Discoveries in Cancer, Cancer Treatment, Advanced Breast Cancer, and Treatment Side Effects. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Spiritual Perspectives.

121 EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPSWorkshops are conducted by experts on a variety of topics such as nutrition, treatment advances and complementary therapies.

89 KIDS CIRCLE MEETINGSWeekly groups and special activities are held for children who have a parent or grandparent with cancer, enabling children to cope with the experience of a parent going through treatment and recovery. These activities are facilitated by professional therapists who specialize in psychosocial oncology and family issues.

108 SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS AND FAMILIESA variety of social activities are held throughout the year to foster community and mutual support for people with cancer and their loved ones. Examples are: National Cancer Survivors Day, Daniel’s Day of Magic and other community events.

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT(Totaling 1,957 contacts)

This includes intake interviews, informal counseling, and one-to-one outreach to cancer patients, orientation and referrals.

2009 was a year of expansion and positive change for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. Serving more than 3,120 individuals through 14,990 visits representing more than 24,407 hours of service, TWC V/V also opened a new satellite location in Chatsworth and expanded the offerings at its main location in Westlake Village and on the campus of Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community, one of the largest providers of cancer support worldwide. After three years of supporting the Central Coast Satellite, TWC V/V helped the center transition into a fully independent Wellness Community in September. More than 1,247 NEW PARTICIPANTS benefi ted from our services, which complement conventional treatment, enhance recovery and improve quality of life for people with cancer. All of our services are FREE OF CHARGE to people with cancer and their loved ones. The following programs and services were provided in 2009:

www.TwcVv.org

HeLeN GAteKA-ANDerSoN

After 15 years of fi ghting cancer, Helen Gateka-Anderson focuses only on her blessings. “Cancer is a life-changing experience,” says Helen. “It helps you grow and treasure each and every day.”

Just a few years after losing her husband to lung cancer, Helen was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lym-phoma. She attended a support group at The Wellness Commu-nity for several years, and thirteen years later married her husband Richard, who had lost his wife tobreast cancer.

One year after marrying Richard, Helen was diagnosed with ovar-ian cancer and started going to The Wellness Community again.For the past fi ve years she has been a source of inspiration and hope to her fellow support group members. “The Wellness Community has been a vibrant source of strength, support,

end encouragement. That’s the place to go if you want to get better. The people in my support group are all tremendous survivors,” says Helen.

The Wellness Community is not the only organization to benefi t from Helen’s inspirational outlook. Thirty-six years ago Helen founded Bethany Christian School in Thousand Oaks and is a past principal and preschool director. With Helen’s leadership and dedication the school grew from three preschool classes to a full elementary school with 300 students and 42 staff members.

“Helen is an exceptional, one-of-a-kind spiritual leader and friend,” says Shirley Hackleman, principal of Bethany Christian School. “The proof of her amazing impact is seen in the hundreds of students and parents who keep in touch with her from the earliest days of the school.”

Helen stays busy spending time with her husband Richard and hosting a weekly Bible study. She also visits the school every Tuesday for the Families in Prayer meetings, takes a watercolor class at The Wellness Community, gardens, visits and encourages friends at a nursing home, and swims.

Helen is constantly encouraged by the support of her family and friends. “I have so many people praying for me, and I thank God continually for his blessings.”

pArtICIpANt sPoTliGhT

SATELLITE AND OFFSITE LOCATIONS:CHATSWORTH SATELLITE9410 Owensmouth Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311 | 805.379.4777

VENTURA COUNTY SATELLITECancer Center of Ventura County, St. John’s Regional Medical Center1700 N. Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA, 93030 | 805.988.2641

OFFSITE LOCATIONSCamarillo Health Care District, 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Suite 117Camarillo, CA 93010 | 805.379.4777

Community Memorial Hospital Cancer Resource Center120 N. Ashwood, Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003 | 805.652.5459

THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY VALLEY/VENTURA530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361805.379.4777 | Fax: 805.371.6231 | www.TwcVv.org

The mission of TWC V/V is to help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being through participation in a professional program of emotional support, education, and hope.

www.TwcVv.org

reVeNue

individual–$63,854.25

foundations–$336,900.98

Garden of hope–$13,839.48

special events–$170,474.72

Corporate–$222,435.57

Government–$10,756.25

totAL INCoMe$818,261.25

27%

41%

2%1%

8%

21%

eXpeNSeS

management–$71,643.00

fundraising–$105,717.00

Program–$1,023,115.00

totAL eXpeNSe$1,200,475.00

Includes Central Coast satellite January–September 2009

6%

9%

85%

$30,000 and aboveAmgen FoundationAmgen, Inc.Community Memorial HospitalEntertainment Industry FoundationOlive View - UCLA Medical Center FoundationThe Annenberg FoundationVerizon Foundation

$10,000-$29,999Baxter Healthcare CorpDiane Warren FoundationFanny and Svante Knistrom FoundationKaiser Foundation Health PlanSusan G. Komen FoundationTWC National/Cancer Support CommunityWells Fargo FoundationWood-Claeyssens Foundation

$5,000-$9,999Catholic Healthcare WestCity of San BuenaventuraCity of Simi ValleyCity of Thousand OaksConrad N. Hilton FoundationEmployees Community Fund of Boeing CaliforniaLayfield & Associates Physical Therapy, Inc.VerizonWells Fargo Bank, N.A.

$1,000-$4,999Alliance For The ArtsNancy and Greg AngleTerry and Albert BezjianBrighton RetailMai and Craig BrooksLynn BuchananBuena Vista Hospice CareCalifornia Lutheran UniversityKeets and Hugh CassarCity of Los AngelesCity of SolvangCity of Westlake VillageKathy and Roger ClarkCommPowerConejo Valley Association of RealtorsDebbie and Tom CrowellLaurie and Alberto DeJesusDole Food CompanyMaureen FaheyFirst Data EmployeesFirst Data FoundationFlooring 101, Inc.Larry ForsytheSuzanne Drace and Thomas FrutcheyClaudia GlassJennifer and Scott HansenJacqui and Jon IrwinBernice and O.O. JonesSusan and Daniel KaneJeannie KingsfordKathy KoelleDonna and Kenneth KossoffStephen KreinVirginia and Don KreuzbergerLarson Charitable FoundationPamela and Brian LayfieldBarbara and Bernard LewinskyLippe, Hellie, Hoffer & Allison, LLPEsty and Michael LohnbergLos Angeles Water & Power Employees Assoc.Los Robles Homecare Services, IncLos Robles Hospital and Medical CenterMacerich Oaks, LLCManchester FinancialRose Marco

Susan MatthewsNeil McAuliffeMcCune FoundationAlene & Harry MencoBill MillerCarol and Mike MullenNational Charity League, Inc.Neftin VolkswagenNeftin Westlake MazdaPacific Capital BancorpJoan and Craig PlassmeyerZita and Darius RahbarCatherine and Ralph RewersDolores RodriguezDebbie and Chris RolinRotary Club of Simi Valley SunriseJohn ScardinoElly and John SchneiderEdwin SchnepfAnita and Steve SegalMelissa and Michael SilverCatherine and Jeffrey SmithSherry and Stephen SpectorJoann and Mark TattersallThe Jennifer Diamond FoundationThousand Oaks Rotary ClubThousand Oaks/Westlake Village Community FoundationSteve ThuillierVentura County Community FoundationHarriet and Ted WassermanWestlake Village Junior Womens ClubWestlake Women’s ClubJudie WilliamsElvina and Deane WolcottZenith Insurance Company

$500-$999Ad Design AssociatesLisa AllisonB&R SceneryMary Ann and William BangDina BarmasseBeckman Research InstituteKaren and Gregory BrodyKaren and Robert BrunnerTamara and Ronald ClementsConejo Valley Optimist Educational FoundationCindy and Mark CostelloJoanna DyerMaryann Fiore HopkinsJeanne and Gordon FitzgeraldJeanette FitzPatrickVioleta and Mindaugas GedgaudasGlen GriswoldDebra HerwaldtRandy and Michael KeaneBeth and Michael KinKish Rigging, Inc.Julia and Michael LaddSusan and Dale LayfieldRobert LyonsSydney and Robert MachonWayne MadsenJacqueline and Albert MarleySui-Yuk MayedaThomas McCourtNancy McIsaacJames MillsMorgan Stanley Smith Barney GIFT, Inc.Northeast Valley Health CorpBonnie and Richard OlsonOncology Nursing Society-Channel Islands ChapterOvarian Cancer Coalition of Greater CaliforniaDiane and John PhillipsLeslie and Wolf RegenerMargaret and Mark SerjakSuperValu Inc

The Prudential Foundation Matching GiftsJane TroyTami and David WankTerry WeeksWellpoint Foundation Associate Giving CampaignWoodland Hills Rotary Club

$250-$499Lela and Gerald AdamsJoan Adams-JonssonJacqueline AinsworthAmy AlbanoJanell AltonJanell BanitBrett BarneyThelma and Earl BeckJoann and Stan BensonMelissa and Jack BerensteinCal-State Rent A Fence, Inc.Canfield Persons, Inc.Capital SoundsLinda and David CatlinLinda and Ed ClarkeElisabeth CortinaCounty of Los AngelesJanice CovilleGail and John CrawfordLynn DarrowChristine DetarnavaMahasti FarazianDenise FarrellSusan & Jed FriedmanRebecca GessertEdward HagerVera and Mahlon HubbardJ.B. Goldman Insurance Agency, Inc.Mark JohnsonMargaret JohnstonDiane and Gunther KilfoilEllen KnoxNicole and Razmig KrumianScotti-Marie LeighDawn and Mark LongLesa MahoneyDavid McKibbenRobert MeadowsVicki and Paul MillerRuta MulokasPatrick NygrenOjai Oil CompanyPacific Breeze SalonPacific Rim Home, LLCPartnered For ProgressValorie and Terry PaulsonScott PolzinPractice Management Associates, LLCLaima and Ruta PredkelisRadiation Oncology Centers of Ventura CountyGrace RiveraAndrea and Mark RoschkeAngela and Jay SchwanzSteve ScottLinda ScottIna and Albinas SekasPatricia SicaSilver Star Automotive GroupTim SmithRose and Ralph SpectorStacey StephensVanessa and Michael StothersJohn TrapaniMarilyn and Bill WayJean and Victor Wiedmeier

$100-$249Access TLC Care GiversCynthia and David AckersonMarla and Bob Adams

Albert Chow DDS, Inc.Donald AllenSharon and Barry AllenLaura AlmquistKecia AltmanAmazon ServicesHelen Gateka-Anderson and Richard AndersonCarol and Sara AndersonBecky Araiza ShideDeneen ArceneauxMelissa ArianDenise and Samuel ArshtRosemary AselinConnee AssellsMaria and Arnulfo AstudilloJana and John AustinEdward AustinCathy AwazianBank of America Charitable FoundationLillie BarbowskiDebi Owens and Robert BassVelda BatemanKay and Joseph BaumbachSandy BazSharon BedfordDeanna BelsheimSuzanne BenvenutoLanie BernhardLaurie and Melvin BerniePatricia BewleyJoanna and LeDrew BierePatricia and Robert BieryRobert BlancoCandace and Chad BletscherHarold BlumbergMary BonerfantJeanne and Charles BooneKaren and Reuben BouvetSandra BoydMaxine BrennerDorothea and Robert BrighamAmy BrinkHelene Bronson RossBonnie BruckheimerElizabeth and Ronald BruiningaBST Products, Inc.Lori and Phillip BurkeJulie CabelloDonnaRae CaccavoOlga Calderon MendozaLois and Wilson CaldonMarilyn CameronViolet and Thomas CampbellDianna CampbellKathy and William CanfieldCynthia CarlsonDell and Dale CarpenterLiscia ChavezErin CheliusAmy ChoyNancy and Craig ChretienAudrey ChristmanDebra ClarkeCoalition for Collaborative DivoMary Angel CohenMary CollinsRick ColtonSusie and Jim CowenDolores and Charles CravenCamille and John CrawfordPatricia Wiese and Michael CrawfordSusan and Phillip CurtisBarbara D’anjouMichael DannerStephanie DavidAntonia and Michael DavidMary DavyDiana and Darcy DeCostaDeborah Lynn Deeley, M.D.Yasmin and Gregory Delahoussaye

2009 SupporterS of The Wellness CommuniTy Valley/VenTura

Donna DerflerBeryle DeToraKenneth DeVoreJohn and Nancy DeVoreColleen DiamondScott DiGiuseppeKimberly DoderRobert and Karen DodgeGordon and Kathleen DomaloanAngela DonaldAnn DragoTwila DreibergLinda DuBaneBari and Harvey DubinCarol and Ken DuffyDiane DunnShari and Isaac EdieJeanne and Mark EdwardsElizabeth EisenbachBarbara EisenbergDesirada and Mark FalkenbachPatricia FanelliRobin and Eddie FeiwelesMargaret and Herb FeldmanMargaret and Steve FengerEllen FerroBryna FischerEmily FischerBeverly Fleming-ReedKristen FoleyShirley FordMari FosterElizabeth and Randall FousheeAnnette FrankMarilyn FratesDave FreemanAaron FriedmanKaren and Steve FurnariKimberlee GalbraithDeborah and Frank GariGregory GelfanJohn GerberLori GerrardAnne and John GessertLaura and Steven GilbardSondra GinsburgElaine and Stanley GoffBonnie GoldenbergPhillip GonzalesLadan GorginDeborah GraceSally and William GrantJohn GravesMiriam and Samuel GreenschlagKerry Anne HaggertyMary HallNicole and Scott HallockStephen HamileSharon HartleyConnie HayesJane and Michael HeagertySue and Tom HeathCharles HeathcoJoanne HendersonCathy and Oscar HilligKay HineCarol HnatLaurie HollandVicki and Scott HollowayRobert HolmesSandra HolmgrenJoan HoranHorizon Air Measurement Services, Inc.Robert HowardLisa and Anthony HoweCatherine and Darvin HowellMarcia and Dick HoytJeanne HuebertCarrie HughesLaurie and Doug HuntMargo and Michael Idol

Anne and Thomas ImperatoMary Jo IsaacsJoan and Lloyd IshimaruSandra and James IwanoffGabby and John JeffersRosemary and Alan JefferyPenny JensenTerri and Jeff JohansonVicki JohnsonShana JonesNorman KahnKaren KalsmanJesse KanarekKatherine KaneRobert KaplanBahar KarbassiBehnam KarbassiKarma Home AccentsDoris and Irwin KassapPhyllis and Herschel KatchenShari KebaSharron and Thomas KeeseeKim and James KeithBernice Kenton BriggsMarti KingRichard KissellKiyohara-Patella Sportfishing, Inc.Reneen and Stanley KleinVissy and Alfi KobariMervyn KoppFrances KyteSusan and Leon LaddLamia Financial Group LLCCindy LanceJulia LandMary and Alfred LavoratoLaw Office of Garo B. GhazarianMargaret LawsonJanice and James LeaVanessa and Donald LehmkuhlNancy and Charles LehrerElynn LevineGail and Michael LiackoCorrine LibermanHelgard LiechtiCharline Lim-Van GilderClarisse LincirDevra and William LindgrenAnn and James LipariDiane and William LocklearPat LotkerLRN CorporationMichael LymanM.S. Roberts Insurance ServicesJohn MacDonald, M.D.Richard MahdesianRenate MahlaCarol and Joseph ManionMichelle MarnochChristina MarquezMary MarshallWendi MartinSilvano Martino, D.O.Chris MaxwellJudy MazzaEvette and Mark McAlisterElaine McCoyHelen McDevittSharon and Steven McDonaldKaren and Robert McElfreshFran and David McFaddenPhyllis McFarlandCandee McGuireDyan and Robert McIntoshNorma and Michael McLeanTheresa and Patrick McMahonMartha McNabbPaula and Bernard McNultyMiriam and Dan McQuerreyToni and Les MenchenMaxine Mennen

Sharon and Fred MeyerMark MeyersonRalph MikkelsenLee and Steven MillerLois MillerDana MillerPatricia MillerLisa MitchellMobile Giving FoundationGlenda and David MonettePamela and James MontagninoLadene and Charles MorrisonSusan MurataHelen and Gerald MyersOdet NajarianLaurel and Richard NelsonNetwork for GoodSharon and Ronald NystromOral and Maxillofacial SurgeryWendy and Jerry OtelsbergLaura PachutaPam Hamilton Insurance ServicesBetty ParavatoHarmony PaticoffRenee and Brian PeaceMichael PeratisCarol PerkinsClaudia and Charles PeterDeborah PetersEvonne PetersonClaudia Freymuth and Allen PetroskiPhone On HoldDee PinchotBarbara and Alfred PineJoAnn PlummerArlene and Martin PolingPatricia and Russel PopeSandra and Billy PorterAnna and Scott PozzaNina and Darrell PriebeEdward PrinceMartha ProgulskePSC Security, Inc.Toni PughAngela PyatteGreg QuirogaRDI & Associates, Inc.Rebel Distributors Corp.Marvin ReshewEunice RiceMartin RichterRenee and Paul RippsAugdon RobertsMarlene RobertsLinda RomeroSusan RoseJanet and Michael RovnerBeverly RubinoLily RuffPamela RyanMary and Earl RydbergIzabele SagatCheryl SalantPaul SaraultLynn SchatteresJill SchermerNina SchleicherSuzanne and Jim SchmitzGeorgan SchmitzBetty SchnaarJoy and Lee SchroederKathy and Steve SchulzMichiko SclarSande ScoredosJean ScottJill SearleEllen ShangAnnette and Daniel ShapiroEric Shapiro, DDSShirley Temple CollectorsSelma and Murray Shpall

Rae and Paul ShumardJeanne and Bud ShuraRosalie and Thomas SiebertMirian and Glen SieversSignature Signs, Inc.Blanche and Art SilberbergShirley and Stephen SimmsRobin and Allan SimpsonElaine and Leonard SkaistChris SmythNancy SolomonEna SorensenPamela SpradlingRichard St. ClairPamela StackpoleStark Realty, Inc.Pat and Will StokesJay StrakyWhitney StuverNorine SullivanJeanine SuskindKaren Fritts and John SwopeSharon TateGail TennJudie and Gary TetzlaffThe Cheesecake Factory HeadquartersThe Shane Family TrustGary ThomasAngus ThomsonThousand Oaks Personal Computer ClubTraders Loan & Jewelry, Inc.TransformationsMargaret TyndallCesare UgianskisEllen and Byron Van PattenElene VaughanVerizon W. Chapter RPS ClubRobert VernonBeverly and John ViolaLorraine and Anthony VitaglianoPam WankKatie and Lee WarnerLynn and Dennis WarnerKaren and Hugh WarrenKaren WashburnMike WassermanWasserman, Comden, & Casselman, LLP.Gaye WattsDavid WeibleSuzanne and Brian WeimerLeighton WellsKaren and William WenselChuck WensingRebecca WhiteJanis and Richard WielerGlen WilcoxSusan and Richard WilliamsJudy WilliamsLisa and John WilliamsElenor WimmerBruce WitkovMelissa and John WolfsonMarcia WolfsonMelissa WoltersLyn and Richard WoodleyKim Woolcott-GinderaDonald WorleyNancy and Harold WurtzelDorothy and Marsha YoungSherry YoungerRosemarie ZimmermannHarriet and Andrew Zucker

*There were 1,184 people who made donations of under $100 during January 1st and December 31st, 2009.

Due to limited space, we cannot list each individual here but are deeply grateful for your support.