When Danny Fischer's father was diagnosed with cancer six years ago, Danny, who was eleven at the time, was understandably distraught.  "He was my closest friend.  I couldn't imagine life without him," he says.  Although there were plenty of people offering sympathy, that's not what Danny needed to get through.  He needed the chance to talk to people who really understood what he was experiencing.  When his English teacher gave him a Wellness Community flyer, he found what he needed.  He started coming to Kids Circle, a support group for children with a parent or grandparent with cancer, led by professional therapists.  "Kids Circle offered me a safe place to talk about what was going on in my life, whether it was related to my dad's cancer or just my everyday life," says Danny.  "It offered a level of understanding that can only be given by someone in the same situation."

Danny lost his father four years ago, and turned to his friends at Kids Circle when he needed them most.  "I'm not sure how I would have been able to get through it without them," he says. 

Now a Senior at Agoura High School, Danny still goes to Kids Circle each week, volunteering his time to help in any way he can.  "It means the world to me to be able to be there for the kids.  I anticipate coming to Kid's Circle every week because of it," says Danny.  "I do whatever I can to allow the program flow naturally, and to help [the facilitator] Joyce with the busy work so she can focus more on the kids."  His work with the children gave him the confidence to apply and get accepted as a counselor next summer at JCA Shalom, a Jewish sleep-away camp. 

College applications and Senior year are keeping Danny busy, but he still finds time to speak on behalf of The Wellness Community at fundraisers and other events.  He recently shared his story for the guests at the November 5 Homecoming Open House. "This program helped me so much, I'd be distraught if this program was taken away from the kids who still need it," says Danny.  "If by speaking, I can convince one person to donate to the program, or to The Wellness Community in general, it's important for me to do it."

When thinking about your year-end donations, please keep The Wellness Community in mind.  Please encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to support adults and children in our community who have been affected by cancer through a year end donation to The Wellness Community. Here's how you can help:

• Purchase tickets to our 20th Annual Holiday Homes Tour Event.  There are only 4 more days left to save $5 per ticket!

• Shop for your holiday gifts at the Holiday Homes Tour Boutique this weekend. Twenty percent of Boutique sales will be donated to provide cancer support and education to adults and children affected by cancer through The Wellness Community. 

• Volunteer your time at our Holiday Homes Tour.  

• Purchase a lapel pin and become a Bronze, Silver, or Gold Member of The Wellness Community.  Becoming a member not only helps to continue cancer education and supportive services at The Wellness Community. Wearing your pin increases awareness and helps ensure that no one faces cancer alone.  To learn more about this opportunity, please call 805.379.4777.

• Click here to see how you can help The Wellness Community just by making your every-day purchases with our new fundraiser,  "Shop to Support." 

• Make a donation of $1,200 to underwrite the cost of providing programs and services to a family of four affected by cancer for a year. To donate, please click here. 

• Give a lasting gift this holiday season, by purchasing a tile in our Garden of Hope. To download an order form,please click here.

• Underwrite one of our support groups for 1 year with a donation of $10,000. Please call Suzanne Drace at 805.379.4777, to select the group you would like to sponsor.  

• Create a Legacy. Whether you want to eliminate taxes or benefit from an increased income stream, there is a gift to fit every objective. And, no matter how or what you give, you will be helping provide assistance to people with cancer; your gift will be very much appreciated. To learn more, please call Suzanne Drace at 805.379.4777.

In this workshop, you will learn about the most current colorectal treatments, symptom/side-effect management strategies, the social and emotional challenges of the diagnosis and survivorship issues specific to people with colorectal cancer.  

All attendees will receive a free copy of the informational booklet, Frankly Speaking About Colorectal Cancer. Space is Limited.

To download a flyer, click here.