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Special Events/Fundraising

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:23:37 +0000

Strike Out Cancer Campaign is a Big Hit this year!

The Wellness Community stepped into the big league with two community partners, Genentech and the San Francisco Giants, to launch the “Strike Out Cancer” program. This two-year campaign is designed to educate and empower those affected by cancer, and raise awareness of the many resources that are available to cancer patients and their families.

In 2004, for every strikeout thrown by a Giants pitcher in a regular season home game, Genentech donated $200 to The Wellness Community of San Francisco East Bay, in support of our mission to help people with cancer and their families enhance their lives and well-being.

The campaign raised more than $100,000 by season’s end. The highlight of this year’s campaign was “Strike Out Cancer Day” on September 5th at SBC Park. During a special pre-game ceremony, cancer survivors, including our very own Michael Wooldridge and Catherine Perez, took to the field with Giants players. After a video about The Wellness Community played on the big screen, fans were encouraged to visit The Wellness Community information kiosks located throughout the ballpark.

In addition to raising much-needed funds, the Strike Out Cancer campaign brought a message of hope to thousands of Giants fans and other members of the public. We are very grateful to both Genentech and the Giants for their partnership and support.

Please visit the Strike Out Cancer website at www.strikeoutcancer.com to view recent contributions.

If you experience any difficulties regarding this website, please contact TWCwebmistress.

Honoring Sue Rose

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:21:23 +0000

Before we even opened our doors in Walnut Creek, Sue Rose became involved with The Wellness Community as a participant with multiple myeloma. After recovery from her bone marrow transplant, she continued with The Wellness Community as a group facilitator. On September 15th, Sue passed away with her family by her side. Sue brought so much to staff and participants, through her wisdom, openness and wonderful sense of humor. Sue was much loved and will be dearly missed. A rose bush and fountain have been placed in our garden in honor of Sue.

Survivor Stories

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:14:37 +0000

At The Wellness Community, we believe that we can encourage and inspire each other through sharing our stories.

Wolfgang Heinritz

Still thriving after 23 years
I was given the big C sentence in 1984 and here I am still thriving. Since illness is supposed to be the night side of life, TWC has kept me awake for 23 years and the treatment goes on. TWC saved my life and made it bearable. I will be forever grateful. It allowed me to meet the only people I can really discuss my disease with, my fellow cancer survivors, who I meet with every Thursday evening at TWC.

Don Fitzgerald

There is life after cancer and it can be great
For the first time in my life, I’m proud to be among a group of people referred to as NERDS – No Evidence of Recurring Disease, in my Life After Cancer Group. This is my second bout of cancer, and The Wellness Community is like a second family to me, now. I am a newcomers’ meeting leader and I’ve been a TWC spokesperson for the Tour of California, and the Strike Out Cancer campaign. I will give back as much as humanly possible – TWC means that much to me.

Diana Longacre

Oncology nurse and veteran fundraiser celebrates five years of being cancer free
In March 2006 I celebrated my five year anniversary of being breast cancer free! It is especially meaningful because I work for Kaiser Walnut Creek Clinic as an Oncology Nurse. Initially, I felt an obligation to participate in every cancer-related fundraiser, to make a difference. After years of raising funds for cancer organizations, I became curious about where and how these funds were being used. My research revealed the monies were not always being spent as I thought they should have been.

I shifted my focus to local organizations where I could use a “hands on” approach to help and raise funds. I am very proud to be affiliated with The Wellness Community. I love sharing the knowledge I’ve gained from this vital organization, recognized as the premier provider of psychosocial support services. The Wellness Community is a truly outstanding and cost-efficient organization offering a beacon of hope in our diligent fight against this dreaded disease.

Stu Klitsner

A prostate cancer survivor copes with the death of his wife
Stu Klitsner, a prostate cancer survivor, started coming to The Wellness Community shortly after his wife, Rhoda, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1997. “We came the first time because a doctor was speaking about multiple myeloma,” Stu says. “We wanted to learn as much as we could about prognosis and treatments. We kept coming back for the support groups. We went every week. It gave us a focus and they gave us total support.”

His wife joined a support group for cancer patients and Stu joined one for caregivers. “We learned what sort of questions to ask the doctor, and what treatments to explore with our medical team,” Stu says.

When his wife died, Stu kept coming to The Wellness Community. He explained that he didn’t feel so alone. “You could explore your feelings – shared heartbreaks and hopes – together,” he says. “I got close to a lot of wonderful people I wouldn’t have known otherwise. Later, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I felt I was already part of a true community of helpful people.”

Ali Desiderio

Making friends with the ‘new normal’
“The experience of having cancer changes your perspective” explained Ali Desiderio, a five-year lung cancer survivor and longtime Wellness Community volunteer. “All the stuff that might have upset you before just rolls off your back now. There comes a point (after cancer) where you resume your life, but it’s not quite the same. Just below the surface, it is always there — when you go in for CT or PET scans — the anxiety about what they might find. It takes you right back to that first diagnosis.”

Ali said that “normal is not quite the normal it was before.” It’s what her facilitator, Sue Rose, called the “new normal”. Surviving is also about appreciating and enjoying life. She added, “If emotionally you cannot continue to go on, then the cancer has won. With the Wellness Community, once you become involved, it mushrooms. I felt a sense of connection and received lots of caring, concern and valuable information from my support groups. Members of my original group have stayed in touch over the years. Along the way, I realized that if I am surviving, then I want to help someone else. I wanted my life to have meaning. As a volunteer, I have found that meaning.”

Community Supporters

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:06:10 +0000

Leadership Sponsors :
Leadership sponsors are organizations who have gone above and beyond to make an exceptional difference for people with cancer and their families by providing extraordinary support for The Wellness Community.

Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences

The Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports biomedical education and research in the San Francisco Bay Area. “For nearly two decades the Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences has invested millions of dollars into educational programs that spark discovery and imagination in our future health.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is an organization that continually works to elevate the state of health care with progressive products, services and advancements. Our vision of the future remains focused on improving the health of our members and the communities we serve.

John Muir Health

John Muir Health is proud to offer a wide array of inpatient clinical treatment services, advanced technologies, hospital and other medical facilities and equipment. We provide a broad spectrum of outpatient medical treatment services, medical research and community education and outreach programs and are dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve.

McKesson

McKesson is working to improve the quality of healthcare for generations to come. We are a community partner and we strive to add value in ways that go beyond the traditional definitions.

Safeway

Since the founding of Safeway in 1926, our philosophy and vision remain the same – provide value for our customers and give back to the communities we serve. The Safeway Foundation makes contributions that support hunger relief, education, special needs, and health and human services. The Safeway Foundation is making a difference by improving the quality of life in the communities we work and live.

ValleyCare Health System

Since 1961, ValleyCare Health System has provided not-for-profit care to the Tri-Valley amd surrounding communities. Our highly skilled physicians, nurses and staff and our state-of-the-art technology combine to bring you health care that is at a world class level.

Verizon

At Verizon, corporate responsibility means building our values into the work we do every day. We focus our philanthropic efforts on education, literacy, family safety and health.

Leadership Donors

We are grateful to the following major donors who contributed $1,000 or more to The Wellness Community. Every gift of any size makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Click on a donor level below to see the list of community supporters.

Shannon McGowan Society: Legacy Gifts (show)(hide)

Susan Wichmann
James Bouquin
Joellen Ademski
Edward Korn
Jeanne Angalet

Harold Benjamin Society: Total individual giving of over $25,000 (show)(hide)

Howard & Gene Rudiger
Steve & Jane Roath
James Keene
Hal Hylton
Zelda Stone
Gordon & Dorothy Bingham
Cherida Smith
Kevin Degnan, MD
Jerald Weintraub
David Fisher, MD
Carlotta & Bob Dathe
William F. & Janet M. Cronk

President’s Society: Total institutional giving of over $25,000 (show)(hide)

McKesson
John Muir Health
Genentech
Thomas J. Long Foundation
Union Bank of California
Joseph M. Long Foundation
Safeway
Joseph Drown Foundation
Office of Minority Health
Kaiser Permanente
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
City of Walnut Creek
Longs Drug Stores
The HEDCO Foundation
Jacuzzi
The California Endowment
Bank of America
Stead Motors
Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
Y & H Soda Foundation
Bell-Carter Foods
Wells Fargo Bank
Orinda Woman’s Club
Frank A. Campini Foundation
BBR, LLP
San Ramon Regional Medical Center
Sutter Solano Medical Center
Dye Family Foundation
California Insurance Center
Verizon
Barr Laboratories
Foundation for Brotherhood
The PMI Foundation
ConocoPhillips
Tri-Valley Community Foundation
SBC
Sutter Delta Medical Center
The Lowell Berry Foundation
Sunvalley Shopping Center
Schering Oncology
Chevron
Merrill Lynch
Valley Care Health System
Tyris Corporation
Accenture
MJWC
Wayne & Gladys Valley Foundation

Circle of Wellness: Total giving of over $10,000 (show)(hide)

American Cancer Society
Bank of the West
Bay Area Tumor Institute
BBR, LLP
Paul Bettelheim
Blue Cross of California
George bruns, Jr.
Capgemini NA
Cisco Foundation
CivicBank of Commerce
Comcast
Contra Costa Association of Realtors
Dianda Family Fund
Garrett Girvan
GlaxoSmithKline
Leslie Griffith
Helping Hands
Howard & Nina Anderson Trust
John Johannessen
Law Offices of Manuel Abascal
Steve & Mackenzie Lesher
Sidne Long
Los Medanos Community Healthcare District
Tad & Isabel Moore
Amin Mysorewala
Oakland Athletics
Lori Orr
PacifiCare Foundation
Rite Aid Foundation
Roche Laboratories
Ronda Gruber Charitable Foundation
Silicon Valley Bank
Matthew Sirott, MD
Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery
The Cancer League
The Lloyd Symington Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation
Spencer Stuart
Dr. Mitchell and Karen Tarkoff
Trumark Companies
Van Loben Sels/RembeRock Foundation
Victoria’s Salon
Washington Mutual Bank
Susan & Cliff Wichmann

Circle of Hope: Gifts of over $10,000 (show)(hide)

Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
William F. & Janet M. Cronk
Kevin Degnan, MD
Joseph M. Long Foundation
Gordon & Dorothy Bingham
Wells Fargo Bank
Genentech
The HEDCO Foundation
James Keene
Thomas J. Long Foundation
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Union Bank
The California Endowment
Barr Laboratories
Joseph Drown Foundation
Zelda Stone
John Muir Health
Bank of America
MJWC
Safeway
Victoria’s Salon
Accenture
Oakland Athletics
Roche Laboratories
ConocoPhillips
George Burns
Howard & Nina Anderson
Kaiser Permanente
Longs Drug Stores
Ourhouse.com
Verizon
Wayne & Gladys Valley Foundation
Y & H Soda Foundation
Sutter Delta Medical Center
Hal Hylton
McKesson
The PMI Foundation
The San Francisco Foundation
Dye Family Foundation
Orinda Woman’s Club
Valley Care Health System
GlaxoSmithKline
California Insurance Center
John Johannessen
Contra Costa Association of Realtors
Office of Minority Health
Central Garden & Pet
Cisco Foundation
City of Walnut Creek
Dianda Family Fund
David Fisher, MD
Frank M. Ewing Foundation
Health Systems International
Helping Hands
Jacuzzi
Law Offices of Manuel Abascal
Los Medanos Community Healthcare District
Laura Lee Marshall
PacifiCare Foundation
Rite Aid Foundation
Steve & Jane Roath
Howard Rudiger
Stuart Spencer
Stead Motors
Tri-Valley Community Foundation
UBS Foundation

Circle of Healing: Gifts of over $5,000 (show)(hide)

Ronda Gruber Charitable Foundation
Tad & Isabel Moore
Leslie Griffith
Chevron
Sidne Long
Mitchell Tarkoff, MD
Schering Oncology
Merrill Lynch
R. Jean & James Taylor Foundation
Washington Mutual Bank
Bell-Carter Foods
San Ramon Regional Medical Center
Sutter Delta Medical Center
Jerald Weintraub
Shell Oil Products US
The Cancer League
East Bay Community Foundation
Sunvalley Shopping Center
Paul Bettelheim
Blue Cross of California
Gerald Bronstein
Julie Kaldveer
Ford Motor Company
The Lloyd Symington Foundation
Trumark Companies
Van Loben Sels/Rembe Rock Foundation
Bay Area Tumor Institute
American Cancer Society
Bank of the West
BBR, LLP
Bain & Company
Capgemini
McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enerson
Century Club of Contra Costa
Morgan Family Foundation
Soroptimist of San Ramon
SBC
Sutter Solano Medical Center
Karen Van Voorhis
Stan & Carol Lesher
IBM
Spight Foundation
Marsh & McLennan
Newman’s Own
Gagen, McCoy, McMahon & Armstrong
Macy’s West
Owens Brockway
Kenneth Hofmann
Walter Markstein
Bank of Walnut Creek
Silvio Garaventa
SAP America
Martha Spencer
Millennium Pharmarmaceutical
Earle Marsh, MD
Michael Dunbar
Steve & Mackenzie Lesher
Barbara Michael
The Business Journal
Mary Carrington
Charis Fund
D.S. Kennedy & Company
Foundation for Brotherhood
Genomic Health
Intero Foundation
Ann Kimble
Knight Ridder
Cynthia Lesher
Neil McDanie
Pharmacia Corporation
Providian Bancorp
Salinas 183 Charitable Foundation

Circle of Caring: Gifts of over $2,500 (show)(hide)

Barry Bennett
Frank A. Campini Foundation
Matthew Sirott, MD
A & B Die Casting
The Lowell Berry Foundation
Comcast
Albert D. Seeno Construction
Diablo Valley Oncology
Garrett Girvan
Tesoro Golden Eagle Refinery
Tyris Corporation
Michael & Lori Orr
CivicBank of Commerce
Amin Mysorewala
Silicon Valley Bank
Thomas Hannan
Mastercard International
Veriflo
Core-Mark International
Grant Laboratories
The Mechanics Bank
Progressive Transportation Services
Scott Valley Bank
Greater Bay Bancorp Foundation
Dick & Sue Rainey
Empire Realty
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
General Supply Plumbing
Armstrong, Gilmour & Associates
Electrical Maintenance Plan
Dowbrands
GATX Capital Corporation
Joanne Hahn
Summit Bank
Argo Insurance Brokers
Sanford Skaggs
Pfizer
Fujifilm
Dennis Cheney
Blackhawk Corporation
Mike Cabral
CFOs2GO
First Bank
A.C.C.M.A. Auxiliary
Becky Busi
Cherida Smith
The Taylor Family Foundation
Joseph Ratto
Paul Bergeron
Fran Fiorentino
Laurel Gaumer
Gloria Martin
Brian Sullivan
HealthCentral
Aetna Life & Casualty
Agile
BOS Foundation
Carol’s Roman Shades
Comerica Bank
Ernst & Young LLP
Barbara Jagger
Lederle Laboratories
Shapell Industries
Michael Stead
Marathon Tours
Barbara Kosman
David Danker
Friends for Pat Eckels
Air Products
Alza Pharmaceuticals
Bingham, Osborn & Scarborough
Crescent Porter Hale Foundation
Diablo Advocates
Exelixis
First Republic Bank
Give Something Back
Intraware
Lamorinda Rotary Club
Law Offices of Bowles & Verna
Metropolitan Life Foundation
MSM Development
The Nikora Family
Pacific Union
PDL Biopharma
Summit Medical Center
Epic Care

Circle of Community: Gifts of over $1,000 (show)(hide)

Cherie Huillade
Rod Mickels
Eric Lefler
Sue Best
Bill Bronstein
Robert Lowitz, MD
Mary Beth Davis
Susan & Cliff Wichmann
Ralph Filice
Carolyn Rhyne
Amgen
Paul Eckels
Murray Teitel
Miramonte Land & Development Company
Contra Costa Country Club
Hoffman-Laroche
Kiwanis Club of San Ramon
Lori Wilcoxson
Robert Ayres
Smith Philanthropic Fund
Richard & Marsha Molling
Don Brunell
Gerald & Belinda Lucey
Kathryn Jones
Lambert Chee
Christine Lefler
Kenneth Keene
Enrique Ruiz
Roxanne Ryan
Frank Starn
Rick Labare
City National Bank
Davis Todhunter
Western Centaur
Mt. Diablo Association of LU
John Lineweaver
Jacquie Nicolson
Marylee Heaton
Louis Scalzo
John Knox
Judy Blazin
James Bouquin & Yvonne Veronin
San Ramon Rotary Foundation
Elizabeth Odumakinde, MD
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Stephen Todd Rudman
William Finlayson
Gregg Nelson
Herbert Dale Eber
Rick Dotterer
Foley & Lardner LLP
Kathryn Searls
OASYS Network Solutions
Bacar
Jack Terry
The Placzek Family Foundation
Timothy Carter
Kay Aaker
Robert Cipolla
Peacock Construction
Impact Merchandising
Lee Rhyne
Frank Bellecci
Virginia Day
United Airlines
Surebuilt Construction
Karra Jones
Gilbert Berkeley
Marylee Guinon
Darell Choate
Diana Gates Waterman
Larry Ray Krumland
Thomas A. Bedford
Michael Frame
Jack Campbell
Bill & Marlene Rebello
George Weston
East Bay Medical Oncology
M. Block & Sons
Raquel Merlos
Cotton & Lace
Deborah Romer
Farah Champsi
Ross Goodheart
Chiron
Samuel Nuccio
Saylor & Hill Company
Angie Coffee
William Gagen
Donald Lewis
Mariana Moore
Lafayette Service League
Sarath Vidanage
Henry Fourcade
Rae Yates
Equilon Enterprises
Affi Ansari
Peter Sansevero
Maurice Sandler, MD
Yvonne Roth
Maze & Associates
Barbara Livingstone
Norman Spellberg
Pharo Phelps
Bill Clarkson
David Burg
Rotary Club of Danville/Sycamore VCF
Lynn Worthington
Howard Maccabee, MD
Vali Cooper & Associates
Lori Edelstone
Max Herzog
Don Hart
Edwin Fleming
Billy Phelps
William Tucker
The James Irvine Foundation
Automatic Bar Controls
Cooper, White & Cooper, LLP
Jim Pearson
A.B.C. Ventures
Ronald G. Boyer Accountancy Corporation
San Ramon Valley/Diablo Rotary
Marjorie Downing
Novartis
Timothy Canning
Lorraine Fretwell
Radiation Oncology Center
Richmond Sanitary Service
Jose & Teresa Medina
Pete’s Brass Rail & Car Wash
Sue Smith
Elizabeth Fisher
Mark Gross
Don & Ruth Cornwell
John Hursh
Stuart Klitsner
Gary & Julie Armstrong Armstrong
Brenda Carlson
Moraga Jr. Women’s Club
Cornelius Brennan
Neil McDaniel
George Weberling
Grubb & Ellis
Rotary Club of Walnut Creek
Safeco Insurance Company
Valley Waste Management
Jacques Chahin
Babak & Tina Edraki
George & Kathleen Schuster
KGO-TV Channel 7
Bill Berkowitz
Don O’Neil
Archer Norris Charitable Fund
Derek Knudsen
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharm
Dorothea Stroyan
Independent Order of Forester
Joan Lautenberger
Mark Jones
Rodney Lee
John Phelps
Transamerica Foundation
Siemens Medical Solutions
Silicon Graphics
Broll Charitable Foundation
Megan Klopp
Denise Eckman
Adventis Pharmaceuticals
Alliance Imaging
Brian Bertha
The Berthold Latz Foundation
Cal State East Bay
Maxine Collins
Nancy Conti
Frank Deverse
Dana Dornsife
Alan Hale
HPC Foundation for Hospice
Loretta Huahn
Renee Lynn
Martinez Rotary Club
Walter McCauley
Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Phillips Family Fund
Plate & Temkin Brokerage
Gary Pollock
Roarty Club of Richmond
Pat Vitucci
Laura Osterman
Mary Stephens Smith
Andrew Bradley
Dreyer’s
Kenneth Harrison
Bellecci & Associates
C.F. Brennan & Company
Lin Yates
Deborah L Kerlin, MD
Pleasant Hill Bayshore Disposal
William Nevin
Orinda Convalescent Hospital
Astound Broadband
Tom Dowd
Jason Hofmann
Michael Hoversen
Robin Ahmann
Father Nature’s
Barry Taylor
Wayne & Jayne Willemsen
Award Service
Ali Bushehri
Sony Electronics
Jim Eaneman
Richmond Women’s Country Club
Avnet
Joan Buchanan
Coors
Fisher Family Fund
Doyle Heaton
Nancy Hemmenway
Guy Henshaw
Jeppesen
Kennedy Associates Real Estate Council
KPMG Peat Markwick LLP
Leastec Corporation
Lucent Technologies
Morrison Homes
NCM Associates
Ruth Mariann Nelson
Berta Orantes
R.R. Donnelley & Sons
Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill
Charles Schwyn
Barclay Simpson
Trimon
Tom Witter
Louise Wygal
Chroma Industries
Ann Fraley
Mitchell Salzman
Nancy Stewart
Avenues for Health
Virginia Louie
Louis Lavigne
Hinton & Alfert
Janet Kenny
Dick Frew
Guardian Foundation
Perri Harman
A Professional Corporation
Victoria’s Salon
Christine Seidt
Jodi Spangrud
Kenneth Wienholz
John Sechser
Cortese Investment
Richard Fletcher
Marraccini & Butts Attorneys at Law
Otto Tschudi
Bechtel Corporation
Brian Frank
David Garfin
ExxonMobil Foundation
Judy Gluck
Steve Dathe
Jack & Linda Matkin
Alice Paster
Esther Catalya, MD
San Ramon Marriott
Smith Company
Thomas Van Voorhis
Janice Auer
Frank A Olsen
Phil Johnston
Morgan Miller Blair
Rina Accounting Corporation
Soroptimist of Pittsburg
Stevens-Hemingway-Stevens
James Weldy
Care Counsel
Westport
Jack Fragie
Hugh & Rosita Harvey
Walgreens
David Stein
David Bowie
Louie Audas
Charles Bates
Janice Hoss
Susan Yamamoto
Lawrence Zugnoni
Lois Berg
Bever Electronics
Kimberly Berry
Steven Meckfessel
Richard Carmel
Donald Smart
Michael Harer
A & B Foundation
AIIM Golden Gate Chapter
Ascor
Babcock & Brown
Jim Barnett
Bay Imaging Consultants
Carl Bergard
C & T Publishing
William Coll
Sonoma Community Foundation
John Cooper
Cord Blood Registry
Deborah Cowan
Carlotta & Bob Dathe
David & Margaret Dick
Deloitte & Touche
Diablo Clinical Research
EBRC Community Foundation
Entertainment Industry Foundation
Excel
Miekle Gledhill
Glenn Graham
Lorretta Groth
Rick Harrison
Robert Henry
Hotel Information Systems
Chris Houck
ICI Pharmaceutical
William Jaeger
Leola Jiles
Shoba Kankipati
LaFontana Office Products
Lehman Brothers
Joe Lesher
LSA Associates
Thomas MacDonald
Rick Martindale
Kevin McCoy
McNally, Temple & Associates McNally
Edward Mein Family Trust
Mirant
Marilyn Newton
David Neylon
Scott Nittler
Ortho Biotech Products
Chris & Susan Paulson
Pharmavite Corporation
The Quaker Chemical Foundation
Robert & Alice Bridges Foundation
Richard Sampson
William Scott
Chris Shearman
Jonathan Simon
Walker & Kochenderfer Telles
Teva Sicor Pharmaceuticals
The Patriarca Family Fund
The Quilt Ladies Closet
The Schwab Fund
Thomasville Furniture
Bob Thompson
Timbron International
Jim Topping
Valley Medical Oncology
Wal-Mart
World Explorer Cruises

Volunteer Leaders

admin — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:03:44 +0000

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors includes a variety of community leaders who govern The Wellness Community and cultivate support for its life-affirming mission. Members publicly represent the organization, develop community relationships, and raise funds.

Name	Organization
Joellen Ademski	Union Bank of California
Bill Berkowitz, Vice President	Thompson Advisory Group
Ron Boyer, Treasurer	Ronald G. Boyer Accountancy Corporation
Brenda Carlson, Secretary	John Muir Health
Kevin Baldwin	PricewaterhouseCoopers
Tim Canning	Health Mart
Diane Lautz	Kaiser Permanente
Neil Cohen	Genentech

Name	Organization
Robert Sexton	Tyris Corporation
Glenn Graham	San Ramon Regional Medical Center
Heather Hamilton	Fiduciary Accounting Services
Isabel Vizanko Moore, President Elect	Lone Tree Partners
Frank Starn	McKesson Corporation
Susan Wichmann, President	Merrill Lynch
Loella Haskew	Buckley, Patchen, Riemann & Hall
Bonnie Waters	Changes Salon and Day Spa

President, Board of Directors, Susan Wichmann

Susan has served on the Board of Directors since 2003, and was elected President in 2006.

Susan is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Global Private Client in the Walnut Creek office. She has over 29 years of experience in the Securities Industry. Her background includes nine years spent as a trader and NASDAQ market maker for several firms, including Charles Schwab, Montgomery Securities and EF Hutton. Prior to that, she was involved in the cellular telephone industry, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.

Susan has also served on the Board of Directors for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce and was Chair of the 680 Business Symposium for several years. In 2001, she co-founded Diablo Valley Women in Business.

Susan is a fourth generation San Franciscan, but has resided in the East Bay for many years with her husband, Cliff. Together they have three children.

Leadership Council

The Leadership Council includes business and community leaders who have pledged their commitment to The Wellness Community by raising funds, providing services, and cultivating relationships.

Name	Organization
Joellen Ademski	Union Bank of California
Phillip Arndt	Comcast Cable
Jodi Avina	CFOs2GO
John Barnard	Law Offices of John Barnard
James Brandt	UBS Financial Services
Laura Brown	Shell
Tim Carter	Bell-Carter Foods
Pam Clingerman	Performance Connections
Mary Beth Davis	Beaux Cheveux
Jack Fragie	McKesson Corporation
Laurel Gaumer	Vocal Awareness Institute
Garrett Girvan	Community Volunteer
Tracy Gleason	Sutter Solano Medical Center
Terry Healey	Ridgeview Consulting
Jason Hofmann	LPL Financial Services
Nete Hsieh	Cornucopia
Mark Hughes	ConocoPhillips
Cherié Huillade	Grubb & Ellis
Mark Jones	iMotorMart

Name	Organization
Jim Keene	President Emeritus, The Wellness Community
Janet Kenny	Alta Alliance Bank
Toni Lane	Blackhawk Real Estate Company
Tom McCracken	Community Volunteer
Rod Mickels	InVision Communications
Marsha Weintraub Molling	Community Volunteer
Catherine Olivier	Macy’s
Scott Poland	Wells Fargo Bank
Michelle Pollak	Weber Shandwick
Sue Rainey	Walnut Creek City Council
Carolyn Rhyne	The Travelers
Enrique Ruiz	Re/Max Reality
Marylynne Saccaro	CCG Healthcare Solution
John Schinnerer	Infinet Assessment
Michael Stead	Stead Motors
Ed Stroebel	Union Bank of California
Mitch Tarkoff, MD	Community Volunteer
Pat Vitucci	AIG Advisor Group
Lori Wilcoxson	Community Volunteer
Rick Wise	Scott Valley Bank

Leadership Council Chair, Joellen Ademski

Joellen became involved with The Wellness Community several years ago, initially as a participant in a support group, then as a member of the Leadership Council.

A native of Long Island, New York, Joellen came to California in 1974. She began working in banking shortly thereafter. She is Vice President in the Middle Market Banking Group, with Union Bank of California in Walnut Creek. Joellen has lived in Lafayette for the last 17 years with her husband, Gary Lambert, and daughter Allie.

“My first hand knowledge of the wonderful work done by The Wellness Community led me to join the Leadership Council. I continue to be impressed by the commitment and support members of the Leadership Council show in helping The Wellness Community fulfill its mission.”

Professional Advisory Board

The Professional Advisory Board includes prominent healthcare professionals from throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The Professional Advisory Board provides counsel in the development and delivery of services to complement medical care, and also promotes awareness and referral of people with cancer and family members to The Wellness Community.

Name	Title	Organization
Ravi K. Arora, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Frank Barham, MD	Psychiatrist
Dan Ben-Zeev, MD	Medical Oncologist	Contra Costa Oncology
Rakesh Bhutani, MD	Medical Oncologist	Kaiser Permanente
Sarah Buenviaje, RN, MSN, NP	Nurse Practitioner	Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology
Marianne Bunce, BSN, MS, AOCN	Clinical Nurse Specialist	Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
Brenda Carlson, RN, MSN, OCN	Executive Director of Oncology Programs	John Muir Health
Esther Q. Catalya, MD	Medical Oncologist	Contra Costa Oncology
K. Kenneth Chao, MD	Radiation Oncologist	Epic-Care
Gigi Q. Chen, MD	Medical Oncologist	Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology
Tinrin Chew, RD	Registered Dietitian	Alta Bates Comprehensive Cancer Center
Jeffrey Cronk, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Neil A. Fiore, PhD	Psychologist
George H. Y. Fong, MD	Adult Primary Care	Kaiser Permanente
John T. Ganey, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Roseann F. Gorey, MD	Surgeon
Sharon Hiner, MD	Director	Contra Costa Regional Medical Center Cancer Program
Janice Hoss, RN, BSN, OCN	Director, Cancer Services	Sutter Solano Medical Center
Jewel Johl, MD	Medical Oncologist	Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology
Sachin S. Kamath, MD	Radiation Oncologist	Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology
Tyler Y. Kang, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Shoba Kankipati, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Jelena Kao, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Debra L. Kerlin, MD	Surgeon
T. R. Levin, MD, FACP	Gastroenterologist	Kaiser Permanente
Gabrielle Levine, MD	Surgeon	Kaiser Permanente
Diana Longacre, RN, OCN	Oncology Nurse	Kaiser Permanente
Vincent Massulo, MD	Radiation Oncologist	John Muir Health
Priscilla Minn, LCSW	Social Worker	Kaiser Permanente
Ostap Melnyk, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Priscilla Minn, LCSW	Social Worker	Kaiser Permanente
Marjaneh Moini, MD	Radiation Oncologist	John Muir Health
Deborah Moore, RN, MSN, OCN, FNP	Nurse Practitioner	Kaiser Permanente
Elizabeth Odumakinde, MD	Medical Oncologist	Mt. Diablo Solano Oncology Group
Bimal J. Patel, MD	Medical Oncologist	Epic-Care
Burton Presberg, MD	Psychiatrist
Robert Robles, MD	Medical Oncologist	Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology
Michelle Rooney, MSN, FNP, OCN	Nurse Practitioner	Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology
Leonard Saputo, MD	Director	Health Medicine Forum
Donna F. Saba, AOCNP	Nurse Practitioner	Epic-Care
Michael Sherman, MD	Medical Oncologist	Contra Costa Oncology
John F. Simmons, MD	Medical Oncologist	Kaiser Permanente
Matthew N. Sirott, MD	Medical Oncologist	Diablo Valley Oncology & Hematology
Zan Sorooshian, Pharm.D	Oncology Pharmacist	Kaiser Permanente
Sherryl Stientjes, RN, MSN, OCN	Director of Medical Surgical Services	John Muir Health
Tiffany H. Svahn, MD	Medical Oncologist	Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology
Patrick S. Swift, MD	Radiation Oncologist	Alta Bates Comprehensive Cancer Center
MayLin Tao, MD, MS	Radiation Oncologist	Epic-Care
Stacey L. Teicher, AOCNP	Nurse Practitioner	Epic-Care
Valery Uhl, MD	Radiation Oncologist	Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Staff

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Name	Title
Amy Alanes	Development Manager
Judy Blazin	Community Outreach Coordinator
James Bouquin	Executive Director
Cyndi Lezcano	Latino Services Program Assistant
Margaret Stauffer	Program Director
Lillian Tsai	Financial Manager
Anne Case, MFT	Therapist Facilitator
Margaret Cullen, MFT	Therapist Facilitator
Ron Ellis, PhD	Therapist Facilitator
Kathryn Jones, MFT	Therapist Facilitator
Julie Kaldveer, MA/Intern	Therapist Facilitator
Erika Maslan, MFT	Therapist Facilitator
Prajedis (Pat) Ramirez, LCSW	Therapist Facilitator
Ilene Scharlach, PhD	Therapist Facilitator

Director Biographies

Executive Director — James R. Bouquin

Jim is responsible for managing The Wellness Community on behalf of the Board of Directors. He supervises administrative, financial and development support for the organization, ensures that strategic goals are accomplished, and implements the vision of providing support, education and hope to every person affected by cancer in our community.

Jim has held a wide variety of leadership and governance roles in health and human services, both locally and nationally. He also serves on the National Wellness Community’s Executive Director Advisory Council and the National Board of Directors.

Formerly, Jim served as the President of the Northern California Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director for New Connections, Contra Costa County’s largest provider of outpatient substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS services, and community counseling services. He has also served as Executive Director of the Contra Costa Crisis Center and Executive Director of Eagle Lake Children’s Charities, which built Camp Ronald McDonald for chronically ill, disabled and disadvantaged youth. Jim’s earlier career was in higher education, where he served as Director of the Disability Resource Center, Director of the Child and Family Resource Center, and Assistant Dean for Campus Affairs at Stanford University.

Program Director — Margaret Stauffer, MFT

Margaret is responsible for managing mission delivery and maintaining the high quality of The Wellness Community’s comprehensive cancer support services. She develops new program components, supervises the clinical team, and ensures that program services are available and accessible to as many people affected by cancer as possible.

A licensed marriage and family therapist, Margaret has extensive experience in working with the chronically ill and their loved ones, including those with cancer, diabetes, and other health challenges.
She serves the National Wellness Community’s Program Committee.

Before coming to The Wellness Community San Francisco East Bay, Margaret was Executive Director and Program Director at The Wellness Community San Diego. She has also held a variety of clinical positions in organizations such as TriCity Medical Center’s Obesity Treatment Program, Behavioral Health Resources, and Diabetes Treatment Center of America.

Shop at Cornucopia

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Have you visited Cornucopia, yet? The volunteers will be happy to help you find that perfect piece of furniture or the perfect gift for someone special.

Come in and shop for those special gifts.

Cornucopia Consignments
1444 South Main
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Store Hours
Tuesday – Saturday
10 am – 5 pm

About Cornucopia

A growing number of Bay Area shoppers are discovering The Wellness Community’s Cornucopia Consignment store.

The high-end furniture and accessories store, which opened in 1996, has become known throughout Northern California for its selection of high-quality furniture, collectibles, and one-of-a-kind antiques. The store also carries a carefully edited selection of silver, crystal, jewelry and artwork.

Donors know that their fine furniture or home accessories raise much needed funds for the variety of programs offered free of charge to people affected by cancer, through The Wellness Community.

The store keeps overhead costs to a minimum by relying on a dedicated team of volunteers who help inventory items, assist customers and contact consignors.

Volunteer

Become a volunteer. You can work once a week or once a month, in a fun, inviting and cozy environment.

People who enjoy meeting others and assisting in selling decor items and furniture in an upscale environment should call 925.256.4486.

Donations

Donate your high-quality furniture and furnishings — raise funds for The Wellness Community, with no work required on your part! Your donations support the vital programs of The Wellness Community and are tax-deductible.

Consignments

Consign your high-quality furniture and furnishings — raise funds for yourself and for The Wellness Community, with no work required on your part! We do it all for you and all you have to do is cash your check.

Community Supporters

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Leadership Sponsors

Leadership sponsors are organizations who have gone above and beyond to make an exceptional difference for people with cancer and their families by providing extraordinary support for The Wellness Community.

Genentech Foundation for Biomedical Sciences

Kaiser Permanente

John Muir Health

McKesson

McKesson is working to improve the quality of healthcare for generations to come. We are a community partner and we strive to add value in ways that go beyond the traditional definitions.

Safeway

ValleyCare Health System

Verizon

At Verizon, corporate responsibility means building our values into the work we do every day. We focus our philanthropic efforts on education, literacy, family safety and health.

Leadership Donors

We are grateful to the following major donors who contributed $1,000 or more to The Wellness Community. Every gift of any size makes a difference and is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Click on a donor level below to see the list of community supporters.

Shannon McGowan Society: Legacy Gifts (show)(hide)

Susan Wichmann
James Bouquin
Joellen Ademski
Edward Korn
Jeanne Angalet

Harold Benjamin Society: Total individual giving of over $25,000 (show)(hide)

President’s Society: Total institutional giving of over $25,000 (show)(hide)

Circle of Wellness: Total giving of over $10,000 (show)(hide)

Circle of Hope: Gifts of over $10,000 (show)(hide)

Circle of Healing: Gifts of over $5,000 (show)(hide)

Circle of Caring: Gifts of over $2,500 (show)(hide)

Circle of Community: Gifts of over $1,000 (show)(hide)

Wellness Community News

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Open to Options

Do you have a blood cancer? We offer support…

The Wellness Community now offers a consultation planning service, Open to Options, to help you prepare for your upcoming oncology visit. This service is available at no cost to any person diagnosed with a new or recurrent blood cancer (lymphoma, leukemia,multiple myeloma). More information is avaliable in this PDF.

The goals of this program are to help you:

communicate clearly with your medical team
ask critical questions about your options
ensure that your treatment decisions fit your personal hopes and goals

Contact Margaret Stauffer at 925.933.0107 by email to schedule an appointment.

As another component of the Open to Options program, The Wellness Community is also pleased to announce a new web-based training course for primary care providers. The training, titled “Why Cancer Clinical Trials are Important for My Practice”, is a 1-hour online workshop, designed to reach medical professionals who have direct contact with patients.

Cancer Care for the Whole Patient

Last fall, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report: Cancer Care for the Whole Patient: Meeting Psychosocial Health Needs. In this report, the IOM states that “A growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates that the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems created or exacerbated by cancer (e.g., depression, other emotional problems, or a lack of information or skills needed to manage illness) can be effectively addressed by a number of services and interventions.”

However, the report notes that, “Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness.” In the report, IOM recommends that “All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services.”

The Wellness Community is listed as a resource in the IOM Report. We are dedicated to meeting the psychosocial needs of people with cancer and their families. While the medical profession treats the physical aspects of cancer, we help people learn techniques to cope with the emotional impact of cancer. As the IOM Report makes clear, our programs are not an alternative to medical treatment, but a valued part of the healthcare continuum for people with cancer and their loved ones.

Past Events

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Thank you for your part in making our previous events a success.

Strides for Hope 2009

July 26, 2009
Raise money for The Wellness Community to help people with cancer. Run or walk in honor or in memory of someone you know who has been touched by cancer, or celebrate your own survivorship!

Wellness Golf Classic 2009

June 22, 2009
Held at the exclusive Orinda Country Club, our 15th annual classic has become one of the premier charity golf events in the Bay Area, played on a spectacular course, with special amenities for each player.

Strike Out Cancer 2009

June 21, 2009
The event celebrates survivorship, provides information about available services, and raises funds to underwrite support for participants at The Wellness Community. This year, nine survivors from The Wellness Community shared their stories in a pre-game field ceremony.

Wellness Community Gala 2008

September 20, 2008
The Wellness Community’s Gala, our highly prestigious event, attracting key business and community leaders in the Bay Area raised more than $220,000, our most successful Gala to date.

Wellness Golf Classic 2008

June 23, 2008
The Wellness Golf Classic is now one of Northern California’s premier charity golf events.

Strike Out Cancer Day 2008

May 11, 2008
Genentech contributed $100,000 through the Strike Out Cancer campaign to The Wellness Community San Francisco East Bay, which enables us to help people with cancer and their loved ones enhance their lives and well-being through our comprehensive array of professional programs – free of charge.

Beauty of Wellness

May 2008
The Wellness Community would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Changes Salon and Day Spa staff and supporters. The Beauty of Wellness event raised $15,000! This will underwrite the support for 25 cancer patients and their families in the coming year.

Strides for Hope 2008

April 2008
Strides for Hope is a training and fundraising team for The Wellness Community. Big Sur was our destination in 2008.

Wellness Community Gala 2007

September 15, 2007
Thank you to everyone who made our 7th Annual Wellness Gala the most successful in our history. You helped us raise $140,000.

Strike Out Cancer Day 2007

July 15, 2007
Genentech teamed with the San Francisco Giants and The Wellness Community for Strike Out Cancer.

Wellness Golf Classic 2007

June 25, 2007
The 13th annual tournament, featuring McKesson and Accenture as Title Sponsors, raised over $150,000 this year.