The 18th Anniversary Gala on June 5 is a chance to recognize a special group of people for standing up to cancer and showing amazing dedication to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura.

Here is an exclusive look at the 2009 honorees.

Oncologist Harry Menco, MD will receive the Celebration of Excellence award for combining professionalism and compassion to provide local cancer patients with the best care possible.

Gail Crawford, a survivor of Stage IV breast cancer, will receive the Celebration of Hope award for her inspirational triumph and her commitment to helping others going through the same journey. Click here to watch a video featuring Gail on the Breakaway from Cancer website.

Board member Zita Rahbar will receive the Celebration of Life award for her enduring leadership and tireless support of The Wellness Community.

Alice and Harvey Diamond will receive the Celebration of Philanthropy award for empowering people with knowledge, and supporting research and healing programs, through the Jennifer Diamond Foundation. Click here to learn more about the Foundation.

Want to advertise your business for a great cause? Consider taking advantage of a sponsorship or including an ad in the Gala program book. For information, contact Madeline Sattler, via email or 805.379.4777.

When Gail Crawford was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at age 43, it turned life upside down for her and her family. "All I could think was that I wouldn't get to see my son graduate from high school," she says.

Nine years later, Gail has survived - and continues to thrive. "I feel more alive now than I did before cancer."

Being given a 15 percent chance of survival and going through debilitating treatment, including high-dose chemotherapy and radiation, gave her a completely new perspective on what is important in life. "Before, I was always trying to do the best job, say the right things, and feeling judged," she remembers. "Now I have so much more freedom to be myself. Cancer gave me insight into how fragile life truly can be."

Gail enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two beloved dogs. She also works as a "cancer coach," helping others with the disease to navigate the complex world of treatment and recovery.

During the darkest hours of her treatment, Gail found hope at The Wellness Community. She attended a weekly support group and educational workshops for several years, and now volunteers. "The important thing to know about The Wellness Community is that it's not about the cancer. It's about the support."

Attending her son's high school graduation was a joyful milestone of Gail's survival. "Statistically I wasn't supposed to be there. Miraculously, I was."

On June 5, Gail will be honored with the Celebration of Hope award at The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's 18th Anniversary Gala.

April 27 kicks off National Volunteer Week. Our volunteers make The Wellness Community a special place through their dedication, care and selfless giving.

Becky Bogan learned the value of volunteering at an early age. "I was raised in a house where you always give back," she says. "My mother was the busiest woman I've ever known, and she never got paid for it."

As a long-time volunteer at Westlake Hills Elementary where her children Shane and Heather went to school, Becky met several parents who had cancer. That's how she learned about The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. In November of last year, Becky began volunteering at the front desk, greeting participants, answering phones, and helping with various tasks. She also recently took on the job of organizing and maintaining the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Research Library in the lobby. "So I guess I'm a librarian too," she jokes.

"The people at The Wellness Community are amazing," says Becky. "Everyone who walks through the door, from participants to staff, has a huge heart and a positive attitude. Everybody wants to help, even participants."

Having lost several family members to cancer, Becky knows the enormous toll cancer takes on patients and families. But, she says, The Wellness Community is a hopeful place. "It's been an incredible experience to see the positive in such a devastating disease," she says. "Everyone there just makes it a nice place to be."

Becky remembers her first day well. "A man came in who had just been diagnosed and he didn't know what to do. [VP of Programs] Marty Nason showed him around and talked to him, and he left saying 'Thank you so much' and he really felt better." Moments like those are part of the reason volunteers find fulfillment in giving back to The Wellness Community.

Because of volunteers like Becky, people with cancer are greeted by a smiling face and a caring heart the minute they walk through the doors of The Wellness Community. And for someone who has just been diagnosed and is facing a frightening, unknown journey, that can make all the difference in the world.

Research has proven what many volunteers already know: volunteering is good for you! The Corporation for National and Community Service published a comprehensive review of recent research on the health benefits of volunteering. Click here to read a summary.

It's easy to join the fight against women's cancers and support The Wellness Community!

Just click here to register for the Revlon Run/Walk, Saturday, May 9. Be sure to sign up for The Wellness Community's Team 110. It's just $30 until April 27.

Even if you can't make it to the event, you can still register and feel good about supporting The Wellness Community.

Joining Team 110 also gets you free transportation from Westlake Village. Space on the bus is limited; please call 805.379.4777 to reserve your spot.

Special thanks to the National Charity League and Baxter BioScience Corporation for supporting Team 110!

Brighton Collectibles at The Lakes recently presented The Wellness Community with the proceeds from its Power of Pink fundraiser held in October of 2008.

The support of local businesses like Brighton enables The Wellness Community to offer its much-needed programs FREE to people with cancer and their families.

There are so many ways for local businesses to help. Whether it's a sponsorship, advertisement in a special event program book, or a charitable campaign like Brighton's Power of Pink, The Wellness Community appreciates local support.

To learn more about partnership opportunities, please contact Madeline Sattler, via email or 805.379.4777.

Donate your new or used books to The Wellness Community now through April 30 and help support programs for people with cancer and their families! We are collecting books for a book sale to be held in May.

Please bring books to our office:
530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village
Monday through Friday, 9:00am until 5:00 pm.
Our office is located at the corner of Townsgate and Hampshire Road.

All donors will get a receipt for tax deduction. Please spread the word - we need as many books as we can get!

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