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Total Reading Time: 4 minutes
Steve and Karen Furnari first came to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura after Steve was diagnosed with Stage IV malignant melanoma and given just six months to live. They immediately started attending support groups, which Karen describes as "an absolute lifesaver." "It was such a relief for me to be able to cry, laugh, and share with others on a weekly basis, and I know it was the same for Steve," adds Karen. The Furnaris continued to attend their groups for several years, until Steve's doctors pronounced his cancer as stagnant, with no new tumors. After gaining hope and support from TWCVV, Steve and Karen were eager to give back. Steve began volunteering his time to lead newcomer orientation sessions, and when the idea of a charity dog walk came up, they both jumped on as Co-Chairs, with fellow past participant Bob Ferber. With hard work and dedication, they and the rest of the event committee pulled off a successful First Annual Paws 4 Hope event in 2009. Steve and Karen are back on the Paws 4 Hope committee this year and are working hard to make it even more of a success. Karen says the event is perfect for "people who love their pets, love to parade them in costume or just as they are, want to see local pet vendors and their wares, and enjoy a beautiful day in the park. The added benefit is that you're doing a good deed for others." For the Furnaris and others who found hope at TWCVV, events like Paws 4 Hope are a meaningful way to help make sure that others can have the same access to support when they need it. "Fifteen years after Steve's diagnosis, we both know that we would not be where we are today if it had not been for Wellness," says Karen. "We are committed to doing what we can for this amazing group of people so that their good work carries on forever." Save the Date! Paws 4 Hope will take place Sunday, Sept. 12 at Berniece Bennett Park in Westlake Village. Click for more info. Drop-in Orientation sessions are held Tuesdays at 7pm and Fridays at 10am. If you're a current or past participant who is post-treatment and would like to learn more about the role of an orientation leader, please contact Claudia Gonzalez via email or at 805.379.4777.
We want to thank all of you who helped make our 2nd Annual Book Sale a success! Whether you donated, made a purchase, or volunteered, you had a part in helping with this important fundraiser for our cancer support programs. We especially want to thank the following people and businesses whose generosity made the Book Sale possible:
Comedy Night Featuring Kristin Key Kristin Key started her comedy career at age 19 in her native town of Amarillo, Texas. Over the next five years she performed in 35 states, and in 2005 auditioned for the NBC show Last Comic Standing, making it into the semifinals. She is a favorite on the nationally syndicated broadcast Bob and Tom Show and has been heard on Sirius and XM Radio for her own specials as well as radio shows including National Lampoon Comedy and The Comedy Channel. She has two full-length comedy CDs. Click here for details.
Presented by Huabing Wen, MD (China), MS, L.Ac, OMD Dr. Wen will discuss how Chinese medicine can be applied to each phase of a cancer patient's journey --upon diagnosis, during active treatment, and for survivorship care, to restore and maintain wellness and prevent recurrence. Dr. Wen is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Senior Clinical Director of Life Cycle Health Center. Click here for details.
Thursday, August 26, 11:30am - 12:30pm We invite you to meet and make friends with fellow participants of The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. Lunch will be provided. So that we can provide enough food for everyone, please be sure to RSVP by August 23, via email or at 805.379.4777.
Thank you for your dedication to
Learn more about our mission and help chart our future. Pictured: Participants and Volunteers Jesse and Lianne Ingalla help as cashiers at the Book Sale.
If you have or had breast cancer, or know someone who has, we need your help in creating a national program of education and support. Please click here to learn more and take a 5-minute survey that will provide valuable information for this program. If you know women who are either in treatment or are post treatment for breast cancer, you can help by forwarding this email to them.
Text the word COMMUNITY to the phone number 90999 to donate $10 to help families affected by cancer. Full terms and conditions at www.mgive.com/a.
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