Come learn about how CHLA's dynamic HOPE program can help support you and your child through diagnosis, treatment and beyond. A panel of HOPE program experts will discuss ways to promote coping, adjustment to illness, address developmental needs, as well as educational and survivorship issues. HOPE program services include the HOPE Resource Center, Teen Impact, School Transition and Reentry (STAR) Services, Psychology and Neurocognitive Services, and the LIFE survivorship and transition program.

Presenters are CHLA HOPE Program Staff: Lisl Schweers, LCSW, Clinical Worker; Octavio Zazala, BS, Program Coordinator Teen Impact/Research Gantan, MPH, Health Education Services/Resource Center Coordinator.

To download flyer, please click here

This activity is supported by an educational grant provided by Amgen Inc., The RED Family Fund, and the Harriet H. Samuelsson Foundation

Please RSVP via email or at 805.379.4777

Please join us at our 20th Anniversary Gala and Awards Celebration on May 6th, 2011, at 6:00 pm at the Four Seasons Hotel, Westlake Village

We will be honoring four individuals who have provided hope and inspiration to people with cancer in our community. The honorees are:

Dr. Robert Hesselgesser - Celebration of Excellence Award. Dr. Hesselgesser held the very first fundraiser for TWCVV, is a charter founding member, and has served on our Professional Advisory Board for many years.

Mervyn Kopp - Celebration of Hope Award. Merv is a Past President of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club, a two-time cancer survivor, the creator and producer of TWCVV's annual "Stand Up for Cancer Survivors" fundraiser, and producer of TWCVV's monthly comedy nights.

Norman MacDonald and Leonard Chapman - Celebration of Life Award. Norm is a past participant; Len is a cancer survivor. Both have been volunteering for TWCVV for many years; they're always willing to come at a moment's notice (rain or shine) and lend a helping hand.

Mr. Hugh E. Petersen in memoriam- Celebration of Philanthropy Award. Hugh generously donated the Hampshire building to TWCVV back in 1995. Hugh's wife, Marge, will be accepting the award in honor of her husband.

We will also recognize the many volunteers and donors who helped TWCVV achieve this milestone. Hope you can join us!

To become a sponsor or to reserve your seats for the 20th Anniversary Gala, click here.

The Wellness Community's Garden of Hope continues to take shape. We are very grateful for the support of Simon Munoz and SM Masonry. Simon's team installed pavers in the plaza area, walkway, and gazebo area; and the gazebo seats. If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and see the beautiful workmanship. The Garden hardscape is a testament to SM Masonry's quality work and attention to detail.

The fountains in the plaza and gazebo area are working and participants, staff, and birds are enjoying the peaceful tranquility of the fountains.

We would also like to thank Carol Robinson, Landmark Design, and David Tuttle, Conejo Complete Landscape for their support. Carol's design makes our corner of Hampshire and Townsgate a sanctuary for hope and healing and her support and oversight of the project has been invaluable. David, and his team have completed the installation of the irrigation system and are working with local growers to identify sources for the plants. David began helping with this project two year's ago working with teams of volunteers, helping to identify resources for materials and supplies, and donating his team's time. We are truly grateful for his support.

A special note of thanks goes to Southern California Edison for storing and securing the gazebo seats and plaza benches until we could install them and to Taft Electric and Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting for installing the electrical lines in the garden and the outdoor fixtures.

And lastly, we would like to thank Justin, Haley, and Morgan Wank, the children of board member David Wank and his wife Tami, for donating the speakers for the garden.

For a list of garden donors and suppliers, please click here.

To view additional photos of the gazebo construction, please visit TWCVV's FaceBook page by clicking here.

Daniel's Day of Magic
Sunday, March 13th
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
530 Hampshire Road
Westlake Village

As a tribute to Wellness Community participant and past Board Chair Daniel Jacoby's fun-loving adventurous spirit and love of magic, the Board of Directors created Daniel's Day of Magic for our participants and their families.

Join us for a magical afternoon on March 13, 2011 from 2:00pm -4:00 pm starring Magic Wayne. To learn more about Magic Wayne, please visit his website by clicking here.

Please RSVP via email or at 805.379.4777 Light refreshments will be served, seating is limited.

Comedy Night: Laughter IS the Best Medicine!
Monday, March 14, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
TWCVV, 530 Hampshire Rd,
Westlake Village

Laugh the night away as a stand-up comedian, Lee Levine entertains you and your friends. This ongoing series was created by Merv Kopp, cancer survivor, with the funds raised at the Stand Up for Cancer Survivors fundraiser held in 2011.

To learn more about Lee, please click here.

Please RSVP via email or at 805.379.4777

How to Recognize Clinical Depression
Tuesday, March 15th 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
530 Hampshire Road
Westlake Village

Join us on March 15th for a presentation by Dr Ed Jesalva. Dr Jesalva will discuss the common presentation of depression, its treatment and challenges.

Dr Jesalva is a adjunct profess at Pepperdine University for the graduate program whee he teaches psychopharmacology. He has been in private practice for the past 20 years and serves on the The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's Professional Advisory Board.

Please RSVP via email or at 805.379.4777

You can help support TWCVV while participating in the Revlon Run/Walk on May 7!

Just follow these simple steps:

• Click here to register online.
• In the dark gray box, next to the words "The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura," click the teal blue"Join Team."
• Follow the prompts to join The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura team.
• You can also register via mail - please stop by TWCVV and pick up a brochure if you didn't get one in the mail.

  Bus transportation will be provided from Thousand Oaks. Space is limited, so please call 805.379.4777 to reserve your spot!

  As an Entertainment Industry Foundation's Los Angeles Revlon Run Walk beneficiary, The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura is expected to register 150 people for our team. Please encourage your friends, family, and colleagues who are participating in the race to join our team or, if they have a team, to link their team to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura team.
  
  You can also be a virtual supporter. Just register for the event to show your support for The Wellness Community, hit the snooze button on your alarm the morning of the 7th, and run or walk the race in your dreams. It is that easy!

Nutrition Counseling
Susan J. Speer, MS, RD, FADA, CSO
Thursdays, 9am-3pm
St. John's Cancer Center, 1700 N. Rose Ave., Ste 145, Oxnard, CA 93030.

Susan J. Speer is available for individual one-hour sessions. Susan is a nutritionist specializing in diets for cancer that can help you eat better and feel better. She can explain problems related to your individual condition and develop a dietary plan to meet your special needs.

Call 805.988.2641 to make an appointment.

Reclaiming Sexuality
Paula Anastasia, RN, MN, OCN
Thursday, March 24, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
530 Hampshire Road
Westlake Village

Sexuality and intimacy in a relationship--defined as the physical and emotional closeness with another individual--can change when a woman and her partner are going through the cancer journey. In this workshop we will explore common feelings and behaviors that may impact intimacy issues as a result of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Please RSVP via email or at 805.379.4777

Are you, or do you know, a cancer survivor, patient, caregiver, or advocate for those impacted by cancer? Individuals can now nominate themselves or others to be a Breakaway from Cancer Champion. Nominations are due by March 22nd.

To submit a nomination, please click here.

On March 7th, the family and friends of Rich Rashi held the 3rd Annual Rich Rashi Golf Classic, in memory of Rich and his love of life.

Cara Cohen organized the event in memory of her father, Richard Rashi, who passed away from colon cancer at age 59. "This event began as a day for family and friends to get together and remember my father, while doing something that he loved to do," says Cohen. "It has become an event for any family affected by cancer that wants to help in some small way."

The Wellness Community would like to thank the family and the committee for selecting The Wellness Community as the beneficiary of this year's Golf Classic in Rich's memory. With their support, local cancer survivors and their families will find cancer support, education and hope free of charge at The Wellness Community.

A note of thanks to Diana Malmquist, Gail Crawford, Grace Kennedy, Marketing Coordinator, and Maddy Sattler, VP of Development, for their help with the event.

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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