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| News From The Women's Cancer Resource Center June 2013 |
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Greetings!
Our colleague and friend Barbara Brenner died on May 10 at her home in San Francisco due to complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
In case you didn't know her, Barbara was the trail-blazing Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action from 1995 to 2010. A breast cancer survivor, lawyer and tireless advocate, Barbara was the consummate truth to power player. Under her leadership, BCA grew from a grass roots organization to become a national organization that challenged breast cancer advocates to move from building awareness to demanding research on causes and prevention.
Barbara provided my "underground orientation" for the personalities and politics of our work -- mine in direct service, hers in uncompromising advocacy.
Barbara understood that awareness alone will not change the course of this epidemic.
Among the many controversial issues that Barbara tackled was the over-promotion of mammograms. She wrote, "The dominant message about mammography is that it will save your life. That message is so oversimplified as to be dishonest. Mammograms can only be life-saving if they find a cancer that is treatable and if the woman gets treatment in a timely way -- and one of the known causes of breast cancer is ionizing radiation, the kind you get from medical X-rays."
WCRC plans to hold a Community Dialogue dedicated to Barbara on July 31 to address the confusion about screening guidelines and develop appropriate messages and interventions for communities of color.
With love and gratitude,
Peggy McGuire
Executive Director
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Swim A Mile for
Women with Cancer
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photo by Kurt Loeffler |
Please join more than 600 swimmers to swim, water-walk, and otherwise splash your way through a mile at the best pool in town.
This year's Swim A Mile -- our eighteenth! -- will be held on October 5-6 at the Mills College Pool.
For more information and to register, visit the Swim website. |
Thank You!
May 25th was the start of Memorial Day weekend and it was also the day Ms. Clari Bridge held her 2nd "Climb-A-Thon" at Berkeley Ironworks! WCRC volunteers Deb Duryea and Margott Weltin and our fearless leader, Peggy McGuire, were on hand to witness the climbers scaling the walls and belayers monitoring their progress. Clari reported the day a big success! We are so grateful for her efforts and organizational skills that raised more than $2,500 for WCRC. Thank you!
Wanted: 2013 Swim A Mile Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for this year's Swim on October 5 & 6 (with some needs on Friday afternoon, 10/4) please call Pat at 510.350.1305 or send her an email. We will need help running errands (picking up items such as food and coffee), and at the Mills College pool (kitchen duties, check-in, counting laps or cheering for swimmers, and staffing information tables). We need more than 100 volunteers to put on the event and we guarantee an amazing weekend full of lots of fun, so come and lend a hand!
Spring Appeal
Did you receive our recent letter penned by WCRC client, Sableu Cabildo? Last month we mailed an appeal to individuals who support WCRC asking if you will consider a mid-year gift. The letter is also enclosed in our annual report, going out in the mail today.
Your support allows us to continuing providing the services and programs that are making an incredible impact on the lives of hundreds of women like Sableu. You can send a check to WCRC or donate online now. If you have questions you can reach Pat, our director of development, at 510.350.1305. Thank you! |
In the JanRae Community Art Gallery at WCRC
 | | painting by Mel O. |
"Channeling Spring" by Mel O.
Reception
Thursday, June 20 :: 7-9 pm
Live music by Jessie Ortiz and friends
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WCRC is offering three 8-week support groups:
Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer Women with Cancer: Join other LBQ folks for support and caring in dealing with your cancer. You are welcome regardless of your cancer type, diagnosis date or treatment choice.
Support Group for Caregivers: Take some time to share the many feelings and experiences you are having as you care for your loved one.
Mothers with Cancer Support Group: Find support with other mothers undergoing cancer treatment while you also gain valuable insight into how to talk to your children about cancer, and how to manage parenting while managing your health and emotional well-being.
For more information, contact Ali Vogt via email. |
We offer a wide variety of events to offer you comfort, community and information. Join us for creativity, movement, healthy eating and so much more. For the full description of classes and presenters, please visit WCRC's website. You can see all the events currently scheduled. All classes and workshops are free of charge and you must register to attend.
Women's Cancer Resource Center - Policy for Participation in Programs
WCRC commits to provide a safe and welcoming environment. To this end, program staff/ facilitators will provide screening, assessment, ground rules and feedback for participants. If necessary, program staff/ facilitators may decide to limit an individual's participation or ask an individual to leave if they feel it is in the best interest of the other program participants.
WCRC has a fragrance free policy. For everyone's comfort please refrain from wearing scents, perfume and products with fragrance when visiting WCRC.
ONGOING CLASSES
Gentle Yoga - Wednesdays, 1-2 pm
Chair Yoga - Thursdays, 5-6 pm
Expressive Art - 2nd Thursdays, 6-8 pm
Writing for Wellness - 3rd Saturdays, 1-3 pm
Mindfulness Meditation Group - Saturdays, 10:30 - noon
*Medical Qi Gong - 1st Sundays from 5:30 - 7 pm and 3rd Mondays from 6:30 to 8 pm
*Zumba - Sundays, 10-10:45 am
Bellydance for Wellness - 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays, 6-7 pm
* Note that day and time will change in July.
:: REGISTRATION REQUIRED ::
-- JUNE CLASSES --
 Nutrition Night: Stress and Mental Health
with Helayne Waldman, MS, EdD, CNE
Thursday, June 6 :: 6:30 to 8 pm
In this session we'll take a closer look at what foods best support our mental health and lessen the stress we experience.
Helayne is the author of the Whole Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors. See her other website here.
Sponsored by:
:: REGISTRATION REQUIRED ::
 Cooking Club: Main Course Salads
Wednesday, June 19 :: 6 to 8 pm
Just in time for hot summer nights! Join personal chef and nutrition consultant, Sandy Der, for a demo on making main course salads.
Sponsored by:
:: REGISTRATION REQUIRED ::
 Mind-Body Skills Weekend for Women who are Post-Treatment
Saturday and Sunday
June 22 & 23 :: 10 am to 3 pm
With Dolores Moorehead and Margo Rivera-Weiss
There is a growing body of research that shows we can change our brain and our physiology by learning and practicing exercises like the ones taught in this intimate and supportive group setting. Each participant will come away with an array of self-care practices best suited to her individual needs that can be integrated into her life in an ongoing way.
Topics include: Mindfulness and meditation, movement, mindful eating, guided imagery, breathing exercises, drawing, journaling, self-awareness and other self-care techniques.
Dolores and Margo have completed the beginning and advanced trainings from the Center for Mind Body Medicine. They each have worked with people with cancer for more than twenty years.
Limited to 12 participants - you must be able to attend all day, both days.
:: REGISTRATION REQUIRED ::
Visit our website to register for all workshops. Contact Margo at 601-4040 x 111 or margo @ wcrc.org with any questions.
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 The Latino program managers of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties attended the Latino Community Foundation Gala on April 24. The LCF also hosted a California Latino Agenda in Sacramento on May 15. WCRC staff attended to represent clients served and report their barriers to cancer care.
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If you live in the East Bay area of California there is a gem of a recycling center in El Cerrito. Of course, the best thing is to reuse when possible. But when you can't do that, this facility accepts clean plastic film wrapping/bags, small appliances, soy milk type containers, batteries of all kinds, pharmaceuticals, used cooking oil, ink cartridges and many other kinds of e-waste, DVDs, CDs, magazines, hangers, gardening pots, art supplies, books and much more. Some items are recycled, others are reused and/or given away. For a full list of accepted items, please visit their website. |
WCRC Volunteer Orientations are the first step to getting involved with the WCRC Volunteer Community!
Volunteer Orientations usually take place on the first Tuesday of every month, 6 pm-7 pm, RSVP required.
We recommend you first complete a Volunteer Application prior to attending a Volunteer Orientation.
Please contact Eveline for more information or visit the volunteering page on our website. |
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Our Mission
The Women's Cancer Resource Center creates opportunities for women with cancer to improve their quality of life through education, supportive services and practical assistance. |
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