August E-News 
 
 
The mission of CSCVVSB  

is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.   

 

All programs and services are provided free of charge.

Many thanks to
Baskin Robbins for generously providing the ice cream for our July 15 Ice Cream Social and Karaoke Night! 

Click here to see photos.

 

Caregiver Profile: Jim Martin 

 

Photo by Judi Bumstead
Jim became a caregiver for his mother when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Adding to the already challenging experience of being a caregiver was the fact that his mother lived on the East Coast and Jim lives in Thousand Oaks. He worked with his mother's primary care physician to get her into a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Institute, then worked from afar to coordinate her surgery, and remained with her for two weeks after the surgery. For the next five years, Jim traveled across the country to accompany his mother to her twice-yearly oncologist visits.

 Click here  to read Jim's story.

 
Save BIG on Holiday Homes Tour on August 28!          
Be sure to catch our Conejo Deal on August 28th!  You will be able to
snatch up a great deal for our Holiday Homes Tour!  For $25 you get the
amazing tour PLUS $10 to spend at our boutique.  ($45 value for $25!)

Plus, for the first time ever - we will be selling tickets to our VIP Event!  The
VIP Event includes an exclusive first look at the homes with private bus transportation and a private reception at Triunfo Creek Vineyards. There are only 100 of these tickets available so get them while you can! 

Both offers will be available on Conejo Deals on August 28th.
 
Latino Summit 

On July 25 and 26, CSCVVSB hosted a Latino Cancer Support Summit in Westlake Village. Professional staff from several Cancer Support Communities gathered to share best practices, develop outreach strategies, and enhance resources to help the Hispanic community access cancer support programs.

The invited attendees were selected licensed therapists and professional staff from nine Cancer Support Communities that have developed Latino outreach programs. Guest Speaker Vickie Gonzalez, LMFT spoke on "Familia-rizing and Supporting Latino Participants" and CscVvsb Qi Gong teacher Yuki Hagopian also presented to the group.

Research shows that a higher percentage of the Latino population have limited access to healthcare plus have multiple other challenges including language, transportation and economic hardship for missing work. It makes dealing with cancer, treatments and navigating healthcare systems even more difficult. By helping them overcome these barriers, and providing culturally competent care, we can more effectively service this population, and make a difference in the lives of Latinos affected by cancer.

Many thanks to the Amgen Foundation for their financial support of this program. 
 
Volunteer Spotlight: Laurie Peterson         
 
When Laurie Peterson's close friend fought (and won!) a battle with Stage IV breast cancer, it convinced her to volunteer for the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara in her friend's honor. Her friend has participated in the cancer support programs at CscVvsb, and Laurie pledged that once her children were older and she had the time, she would give back to the organization that had helped her friend during the fight of her life.

 Click here to read Laurie's story. 
  
Advanced Care Directive Workshop - Open to Public  

Date: Thursday, August 28, 6:00-7:30pm
Location: CscVvsb, 530 Hampshire Rd, Westlake Village
RSVP: 805.379.4777
Open to Public - Attendees do NOT have to be cancer survivors or family members

You're invited to a free informational workshop on Advanced Care Directives presented by Teri Helton, RN, PHN, MSN, FCN of Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice.

Teri Helton will present a variety of resources to help educate you on the issues - both medical and deeply personal - surrounding POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and Advanced Care Directives. Strategies to facilitate the prevention of unwanted or ineffective treatments, reduce patient and family suffering, and ensure that a patient's wishes are honored will also be discussed.

Click here to download a flyer.
Spreading the Word About Cancer Support
  
Photo by Judi Bumstead

Here at CscVvsb we are always looking for ways to let people know about our services. Our intern, Kayo Matsumoto, MFTI, is taking extra steps to help us do just that.

 

Kayo is CscVvsb's Program Associate and has completed the master's degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy at CSU-Northridge. She works closely with CscVvsb staff to reach out to the community and make sure people affected by cancer know that they are not alone.  

 

Kayo is visiting oncologists, nurses and other health care providers to make sure they have our information and are aware of the importance of psychological support for cancer survivors and family members. She is also visiting senior and youth centers, libraries, schools, and community centers. Kayo also looks for feedback from the community about what types of programs and services people need, and she works with the staff to make sure our programs reflect those needs.

 

"My goals are to raise awareness in our community of the resources and tools we offer, and to provide our services to as many people as possible. We want the community to know that no one has to go through the cancer journey alone," says Kayo.

 

We would love to know how YOU found out about CscVvsb. If you can take two minutes to complete a survey, it will help us with our outreach efforts and we would really appreciate it! Here's a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CSCHowDidYouHearAboutUs.

 
 
Volunteer Opportunities at CscVvsb

Interested in giving back to the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara? There are many ways to make a difference.
 
 Click here to view current volunteer opportunities! 
Dance 4 Wellness
with Maria Durant
 
This popular dance series is being extended an additional week!!!  The series will end on August 29th.  If you haven't enjoyed an evening at Dance 4 Wellness, please stop by for some positive energy, music,and fun!  Classes are held every Friday night at 6 PM.  For more information, please call 805-379-4777.
 
Saying Goodbye

Suzanne Drace, President, Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara has announced that she will be relocating to Pacific Grove.

 

After 12 years leading the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara, Suzanne Drace has announced that she will be relocating to Pacific Grove to join her family. She will stay through Sept. 30, 2014, to assist in the transition.

 

"Saying goodbye is never easy. I am leaving what has been one of the most important parts of my life. Helping adults, children and teens impacted by cancer has been and will continue to be my passion. The community is in a good place and I am confident that with our dedicated Board, staff and volunteers, CscVvsb will continue to grow and have a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals affected by cancer in our community. After 12 years, the timing feels right."  

 

For full press release, click here.  

 

Photo by Mark Brandes 

Cancer Support Community