May 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.


Our 3rd Annual Butterfly Release
will take place on
Saturday, June 6.

You're invited to sponsor a butterfly in honor or memory of a loved one.

Your donation will help support our annual services to over 3,000 local children, teens and adults on their cancer journey.

Click here
to learn more.




Many thanks to the following people for helping to enhance our programs in April:

 

Stacey Philipsen and Romina M. Laygo, Certified Pilates

Instructors and Owners, Joe & Clara, Pilates Inspired Health Club 

 

Comedian  

John DiCrosta, Courtesy of Ventura Harbor Comedy Club

 

Pam Braun, author, Ultmate Anti-Cancer Cookbook

 

Catherine Baum, MBSR Instructor

 

Jay Javurek, RN

 

Robert Princenthal, MD 

      
 
Greetings!

What would you say to cancer if you had the chance? We asked local high school students to answer that question with our "Dear Cancer, It's Me" essay contest and the results were incredible. We celebrated their efforts with an Awards Luncheon on April 18, and the event was especially memorable for me because I got a chance to read my own essay about losing my mother to cancer as a child. I now know firsthand how much courage it takes to share with the world how cancer affects us personally. I hope you all get a chance to read the finalists' essays - you can find the links below. Their stories fill me with inspiration and appreciation for each day, and I hope they do the same for you.   

All the best, 

 

Kaley Moore, CscVvsb Program Assistant   
   

Essay Contest Awards Luncheon                      
   
Congratulations to our 2015 Essay Contest Finalists! Dozens of local high school students shared their personal stories with the theme "Dear Cancer, It's Me." We celebrated the finalists on April 18, with special guest Karen Eckhardt as Master of Ceremonies. Program Assistant Kaley Moore shared her own essay in the keynote address. CscVvsb Board Vice Chair David Wank opened the ceremony, and CscVvsb Board member Lorne Label, MD, MBA, CPE, FAAN and volunteer Tami Wank presented the awards.

You can see photos of the event on our Facebook page.

Finalists Meybell Benitez, Lorraine Ador Dionisio, and Wendy McAleer shared their stories of how cancer affected their families. You can read their essays here.

Finalists Elida Bryan, Seamus Morrison, and Camille Vigna shared the stories of  their own cancer journeys. You can read their essays here.

Finalists Brianna Corbett and Ivy Pike created photo essays about how cancer has affected their families. You can see their creations here.

Special thanks to Anthem Blue Cross, Amgen, Genentech, The Sun Valley Group, Quick Silver Printing and Graphics, Alexander Resnik Design, and Damien Masterson Photography for their generous support of the Essay Contest. 

Survivor Story: Erin Marshall     
 

Erin Marshall is a Westlake Village-based artist and after-school child care provider for the Conejo Valley Unified School District. She attends the Young Adults Support Group offered by the Cancer Support Community. She loves baking, painting, horseback riding, movies and trivia games with friends.  She also volunteers with Make-A-Wish, as a wish granter for children with life-threatening medical conditions to help bring hope, strength and joy to their lives. Thank you for sharing your story, Erin!

 
 
Faces of Hope Gala: A Night to Remember        

The Faces of Hope Gala on May 1 was an evening of hope and celebration that raised funds for our cancer support services and helped spread the word about our offerings. Click here to see photos from the event.

It takes a tremendous effort to pull off such an event, and we want to thank each and every person who made it possible, beginning with Event Chair Laurie DeJesus. Laurie and her team's commitment made the Gala a true success. Please click here to see the members of the Gala Committee, each of whom gets our heartfelt gratitude for their efforts.

The generosity of the Gala sponsors made a big impact on the event's success. Special thanks to the following Diamond, Platinum and Silver Sponsors:

Click here to see a list of all Gala sponsors.

Master of Ceremonies Gary Bryan, Celebrity Guest Gregory Harrison, and entertainers Luis Villegas and The Extras played important roles in the success of the evening.

Finally, we want to thank our honorees: Ann Kelley, MS, MD, Paul Sailer, Marilyn Way, and Debra and Robin Campbell for their contributions toward helping people affected by cancer.  
  
National Cancer Survivor's Day Picnic June 6               
You're invited to our annual Cancer Survivor's Day Picnic on Saturday, June 6 at CscVvsb in Westlake Village, at 1pm. The theme is "Hope Soars" and it will feature all your picnic favorites: Butterfly release, Kiwanis barbecue, and more. Please call 805.379.4777 to RSVP. Click here to sponsor a butterfly!

Guest speakers will be CscVvsb Board Co-Chair Lisa Allison, plus CscVvsb Co-Founders Beth Hill-Kin, RN, MS, OCN and Marty Nason, RN, MN. 

Marty and Beth are especially excited about this picnic because CscVvsb is about to celebrate 25 years in the community.

"It feels like just yesterday that we were embarking on the journey of starting what is now the Cancer Support Community VVSB," says Marty. "I can't wait to join everyone on June 6th to celebrate hope, share our memories, and look ahead to many more years of being together."

"The picnic is one of my favorite events of the year," says Beth. "Gathering with families, friends, and people of all ages who have been part of the Cancer Support Community is such a rewarding experience for those of us who have worked all these years to make it strong and keep it thriving."

 
Ask the Expert: Alexander Technique            

The Alexander Technique can transform physical stress and tension into ease, balance, and coordination. On May 19 and 26 and June 2, the Cancer Support Community is offering a free workshop called "Alexander Technique: A New Look at Tension Patterns" with Shulamit Sendowski, M.AmSAT.

For those who can't make it to the workshop or want to learn more in advance of the workshop, Shulamit has kindly offered to expand on the Alexander Technique in our Ask the Expert blog series!

Click to read on.  
  
Make a Difference Today - Become a Volunteer                
Meet a new friend, have some fun, share your talents, and make a difference for people affected by cancer!

Click here to see upcoming opportunities to make a difference.
Cancer Support Community