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| News From The Women's Cancer Resource Center January 2010 |
Greetings!
 The news is good at WCRC. Our programs are growing and our income is stable. Indeed, due to our staff's great budgetary discipline, we ended last fiscal year with a small operating surplus.
This would not be possible without the incredible community support we receive from our Board members, volunteers, staff, community partners and donors.
We have a practice here at WCRC we call "bragging rights." Let me share a few with you.
- This past year, we launched a program to provide free psychotherapy to low income women and today we have 15 therapists who are seeing 30 pro bono clients for 12 one hour sessions. Our goal is to expand the program further, specifically recruiting more therapists from communities of color.
- Five African American Community Health Advocates and ten Latina Comadres are bringing vital information about the importance of early detection and screening to their communities and eight new volunteers will join their ranks when they graduate from their training program in March.
- WCRC also serves Latinas in Contra Costa County through our participation in the Latino Cancer Collaborative of Contra Costa County. Between March to November 2009, our staff supported 800 monolingual Spanish speaking women and their families.
- For you social media devotees, we have 1,122 Facebook friends.
- Our board has new leadership Meridithe Mendelsohn, Chair, Lovisa Brown, Vice Chair, Linda Epley, Secretary, Judy Gumbo Albert, Treasurer, allowing veterans like Merle Weiner and Holly Brownscombe to return to civilian life, although they both continue to serve on the Board.
- Last month we were contacted by our program officer at the San Francisco Foundation who informed us that we are one of three Bay Area cancer service organizations receiving $80,000 a year for the next three years to support cancer services for low-income people. We did not solicit these funds -- the foundation identified us. This is a great tribute to the value and integrity of our work.
The day before Thanksgiving a woman stopped in my office to ask me how she could express her gratitude to the Community Health Advocate who has taken her to doctors' appointments, advocated for her during her stay at a skilled nursing facility and kept her company when she was alone and frightened. When this woman was diagnosed, she waited a year before acting because she had no insurance, family and friends to support her. She said would still be immobilized by despair without the support she received from WCRC.
We could not do this without each one of you. Thank you and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
Peggy McGuire
Executive Director
Women's Cancer Resource Center
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Book Party
Monday Hearts for Madalene
 Page Hodel's new book is out and available online and in local bookstores. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of every book will go directly to the Women's Cancer Resource Center in Oakland, California, in Madalene's name.
Book Party for Page Hodel's Monday Hearts for Madalene
Saturday 3/27 7 - 9 pm
Come celebrate Page and her new book with food, art, stories and more.
Oakland artist Page Hodel showed the love of her life, Madalene Rodriguez, her devotion in a creative way: Early every Monday morning, Page created a heart for Madalene and left it for her to discover near her front door. Tragically, Madalene died of ovarian cancer less than a year after she and Page met. Page continues to express her love by making a new heart every Monday.
Page's book is full photographs of 100 Monday hearts for Madalene, fashioned from a magical array of materials: acorns and asparagus; berries, buttons, and bungee cord; cardboard, clothespins, corks, and candy corn.
Page Hodel, a San Francisco Bay native, is an internationally-renowned DJ and nightclub promoter.
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Politics of Cancer / Environmental Justice
Some valuable links from Dr. Devra Lee Davis' website (author and epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Environmental Oncology of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute)
Healthy Choices, Healthy Lives Newsletters
The Cancer Prevention Coalition
The Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC) is a unique nationwide coalition of leading independent experts in cancer prevention and public health, together with citizen activists and representatives of organized labor, public interest, environmental, and women's health groups.
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice
By pioneering the effort nationwide to protect communities from exposures to dangerous environmental chemicals, in the air, water and soil, CHEJ has become the preeminent national leader among grassroots groups reducing the burden of toxic substances on our environment.
Cornell University Program on Breast Cancer & Environmental Risk Factors
The Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors (BCERF) at Cornell University is devoted to lowering the risk and incidence of cancer by promoting methods of sound decision-making at personal and public levels.
Its main goal is to strengthen democracy by helping people find the information they need to fight for environmental justice in their own communities. Much of the information it has to offer can be found in its newsletter, Rachel's Environment & Health News (which is available free by email) and in its other publications.
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WCRC Events
We offer a wide variety of events to offer you comfort, community and information. Join us for creativity, feeling good in your body and much more -- please visit WCRC's website.
Please join us for these important events:
JANUARY
 Art from Family Photos - Tomyé
Sunday 1/10 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Create an impressive collage and color pencil artwork on paper using copies made from your own photos. All other art items will be provided. For adults 55 and over. REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org by Jan. 6.
 Cooking Club Healthy Brown Bag Ideas - Sandy Der
Wednesday 1/20 6 - 8 PM
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
FEBRUARY
 The historical perspective of breast cancer in African American women
with Dr. Phillip Gardiner, UCSF - Social & Behavioral Research
Wednesday 2/10 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Sponsored by: The African American Outreach Group
Register with Dolores by 2/8/10 at 510-601-4040 x112.
 Collage, Love Poetry & Chocolate - Tachina Rudman-Young
Saturday 2/28 1 - 3:30 pm
You'll create a playful collage using poetry, images & found objects.
Feel free to bring your favorite love poem to share. All materials provided.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
 Cooking Club Sea Vegetables
Wednesday 2/17 6 - 8 pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
 Guided Imagery - Catherine Walters
Tuesday 2/23 6:30 - 8 PM
Relax and breathe allowing your body-mind-heart and spirit to release tension, fatigue, worry, and pain by using the power of your own imagination. In this talk, you'll learn simple tools that facilitate greater relaxation which encourages recovery, better sleep, positive attitude toward life and much more.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
 Speak Now! - Donna Terry
Thursday 2/25 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Telling your cancer story in your own words. Meet with Donna Terry to express your story of survival through personal stories, warm-up talking exercises & fun.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - please contact margo@wcrc.org.
For events beyond February please visit WCRC's website. |
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In the JanRae Community Art Gallery
"Reflections" -- Satellite show of the Art of Living Black
Featuring: Atiba Sylvia Thomas (her art above) and Yusuf Waajid.
Opening reception with the artists:
Friday, January 15, 7-9 pm.
Show closes March 18, 2010.
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Volunteer
Come to our Volunteer Orientation
Volunteering at WCRC is the perfect way to give back to others, while at the same time providing nourishment for your spirit. Attend the Volunteer Orientation on the first Wednesday of the month and find out about who we are, what volunteers and interns do and some basic information about cancer. We look forward to seeing you! January 6, 2010, 6:00 -7:30 PM here at the Center. Please contact Sarah at sarah@wcrc.org or 510/601-4040 x 105 if you'd like to attend.
Come to our Volunteer Training
We will be holding a Volunteer Training March 20, 2010, 9 - 4:30 here at the Center. If you are interested in joining this wonderful community of support, please contact Sarah at sarah@wcrc.org or 510/601-4040 x 105 for more information about our upcoming training.
We have redesigned our volunteer training program to feature the exceptional community partners who have stepped forward to share their knowledge and expertise.
All current and prospective volunteers will participate in this new program to build and strengthen skills in:
- Emotional self-care
- Communication and listening skills
- The biology of cancer
- Cultural competence
- Critical thinking
- Community resources
- Confidentiality and boundaries
- Universal health and safety precautions
- Program-specific curricula
To sign up for the training, e-mail or call Sarah, sarah@wcrc.org, 510.601.4040 x105. |
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Acknowledgements
Congratulations to the Swim A Mile's top fundraising team Marty's Mermaids! Betty Berry, Kelly Graham, Marty Heinrich, Anne Hollingsworth, Susan Steakley collectively raised $11,872.22!
Suzanne Schmutz was this year's top individual fundraiser with her fundraising total of $6,060!
Congratulations to the Perlman/Blumstein Family (Alex, Anna, Carl and Janet)! This family won the prize for top family fundraiser for the Swim a Mile for Women with Cancer. They raised more than $4,500 collectively! Thank you so much for your fundraising prowess -- you make our work at the Women's Cancer Resource Center possible.
Thank you again and we look forward to seeing you in 2010 on October 2 & 3! |
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Beyond WCRC
Emerging Therapies for Blood Cancer Patients:
Highlights from the American Society of Hematology Meeting
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco
For more information call (866) 450-0669. |
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Support WCRC
Because of you...
We have already raised more than $35,000 through our end of year appeal. Please help us reach our goal of $40,000 by donating here.
Because of you...Our annual fundraiser, the Swim a Mile for Women with Cancer, has raised $291,000 to date. Because of you...
Our monthly donors help us by collectively donating $8,130 per year. Become a monthly donor and support us throughout the year. Because of you...
We are able to provide free psychotherapy to 18 low-income women with cancer.
We thank you...
For everything you do so no woman has to face a cancer diagnosis alone. |
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The Versatile Bean
In January, most folks usher in the New Year with resolutions - frequently to lose a few extra pounds (no doubt some added from the decadent holiday fare) or to eat healthier.
Read the entire article. |
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Join Us on Facebook, Twitter, and Change.org!
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Our Mission
To empower women with cancer to be active and informed consumers and survivors; to provide community for women with cancer and their supporters; to educate the general community about cancer; and to be actively involved in the struggle for a life-affirming, cancer-free society.
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