It's hard to believe, but our 18th Annual Holiday Homes Tour is just a month away!

Click here to purchase your tickets now online - it's fast, easy, and supports a great cause. (Plus, you get to check it off your Holiday To-Do List before things get crazy!)

We still need volunteers! Volunteering for the tour is a fun way to get behind the scenes, meet people, and support our mission. Click here to fill out an online application or contact Volunteer Coordinator Marilyn Way via email or at 805.379.4777.

RSVP today for the 2nd annual Gingerbread House Event, 1- 3:30 p.m., Sunday, November 15! The FREE event will take place at TWC V/V, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village.

Amazing gingerbread houses, created by leading local chefs, will be on display and children will be able to reserve time slots to make their own gingerbread creations.

An "opportunity drawing" will be held (drawing tickets will be $5) for the chance to win one of the unique and delicious chef-built gingerbread houses.

To reserve a time slot for your children, please call 805.379.4777. We'll see you on November 15th!

We are seeking participants for a new program of support and education called "CAREing & COPEing." This exciting 4-week program, beginning in January of 2010, will provide education and support to people with breast cancer and loved ones.

Each week a person with breast cancer and a loved one will gather to learn more about how to live through and beyond the disease, and how to feel more comfortable solving problems and communicating through the journey.

Participants must register in pairs containing one breast cancer patient and one caregiver, whether spouse, sibling, child, friend or other family member. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Marty Nason at 805.379.4777.

The series is free of charge and is made possible by a grant from the Breast Cancer Fund of National Philanthropic Trust.

Here at TWC V/V, we are giving thanks early - for the people and businesses that gave back in October.

Our gratitude goes out to everyone who contributed to the Paws 4 Hope and Stand Up for Cancer Survivors fundraisers in October, especially past participants Bob Ferber and Karen and Steve Furnari who co-chaired Paws 4 Hope, and Merv Kopp who produced Stand Up for Cancer Survivors.

Please visit our blog, The Hope Herald, to read personal messages from Karen Furnari and Merv Kopp about the powerful reasons why they are committed to giving back.

We are also grateful to local businesses Brighton Collectibles at The Lakes, Flooring 101, and Pacific Breeze Salon for donating a portion of their proceeds from October to TWC V/V.

We also want to thank the Oak Park branch of Wells Fargo Bank for designating TWC V/V as a Community Benefits Partner. As a result of being a partner TWC V/V received a check for $1,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation. Please stop by the branch and thank Adam and his team for supporting local families affected by cancer.

Did you know that we have cancer support programs in Chatsworth every week? We have a weekly support group every Wednesday, plus Mahjong Club and Watercolor Classes. Check out our Chatsworth calendar for details.

The Spanish-language support group that meets at our Ventura Satellite has a schedule change for November. It will meet on Nov. 30 instead of Nov. 23. The Ventura Satellite is located at the Community Memorial Hospital Cancer Resource Center, 184 N. Brent St., Ventura. Questions? Please call 805.652.5459.

Frankly Speaking About New Discoveries in Cancer will be held at the Ventura Satellite on Tuesday, December 8. Todd Yates, D.O. will share new discoveries in treatment and side effect management. Marty Nason, RN, MN will present new discoveries in the psychological and emotional aspects of cancer. To RSVP please call 805.652.5459. Please look for details in the December calendar.

CURE is a free cancer magazine that focuses on treatment updates, psychosocial issues, survivorship, and advocacy.

FREE subscriptions are available for people with cancer, survivors, and caregivers in the U.S.

Here is a sampling of their helpful content:

Overheated: Cooling hot flashes brought on by cancer treatments.

Teen Tribulations: Teens open up about their parents' cancers.

Life Preserver?: A sea of uncertainty surrounds screening's role in saving lives.

Give hope to a child affected by cancer! Text COMMUNITY to 90999 to donate $5. Full terms and conditions at www.mgive.com/a.

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