What's Happening at Cancer Support Community VVSB

Dear Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara,

It is an honor to join CSCVVSB as Executive Director. The valuable support groups, educational seminars, networking opportunities, mind/body classes and social events available to those impacted by cancer are a true gift to the residents in our area.

I am impressed by the breadth of programs and the dedicated staff, volunteers and numerous supporters working together to ensure that no one goes through cancer alone. Please join us in one of our programs or support CSCVVSB’s ability to offer all programs and classes at no cost to participants by attending the Evening of Hope Gala or participating in our first annual Hope Walk .

Scroll down for details on our many exciting events and programs.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Dwyer

Executive Director

Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara

ANNOUNCING THE EVENING OF HOPE GALA HONOREES

Please join us for an Evening of Hope Gala on Saturday, April 27, 6:00pm at the

Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.

We invite you to help us celebrate the 2019 Honorees who have made a lasting impact for people affected by cancer in our community:

Celebration of Excellence ~ Timothy O’Connor, MD

Celebration of Philanthropy ~ City of Westlake Village

Celebration of Life ~ Laurie Peterson

Celebration of Hope ~ Holly Spiegel

The Evening of Hope Gala will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, awards, live and silent auction, and entertainment by Fantastic Diamond & The Platinum Groove.

Your ticket purchase will help fund our professional support programs for adults and children affected by cancer.

BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

SAVE THE DATE: FIRST ANNUAL HOPE WALK JUNE 15

We are thrilled to announce the First Annual CSCVVSB Hope Walk on Saturday, June 15 at 9am in beautiful Westlake Village! All proceeds will benefit CSCVVSB's professional support programs for adults and children affected by cancer.

Online registration, route map, and sponsorship opportunities are all available at cscvvsbhopewalk.rallybound.org . Your $25 entrance fee includes a souvenir shirt and the great feeling that comes from giving the gift of hope to your fellow community members.

Questions? Contact Madeline Serrano Sattler, Senior Development Director at 805.379.4777 or via email .

ASK THE EXPERT: 3 QUESTIONS TO START THE CONVERSATION

Teri Helton, RN, MSN, FCN is a registered nurse, program manager at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, and chairs the Ventura County Coalition for Compassionate Care. In addition to speaking at two upcoming CSCVVSB workshops , Teri has generously agreed to share her wisdom with our readers.

Not sure where to start when it comes to talking about advanced healthcare directives, hospice care and other end-of-life issues? Teri Helton is here to help, with these three questions to get the conversation started. When you can answer these questions for yourself or a loved one, you'll feel more prepared and confident about tackling these issues.

1. If you or your loved one ended up in the hospital and couldn't communicate, who would do it for you or your loved one? Does this person know your or your loved one's values and wishes about healthcare and end-of-life decisions ?

2. Have you or your loved one talked to anyone about what matters most to you if you end up not being able to make healthcare decisions for yourself?

3. Do you, or does your loved one, have an advanced healthcare directive that puts this information into writing? You can learn about advanced healthcare directives and other resources at the Ventura County Coalition for Compassionate Care website .

These three questions get us on the path to being prepared, but there is plenty more to learn and there are lots of tools and services to explore.

Continue this conversation and learn more by attending the "Let's Talk: End of Life Issues" workshops on Tuesday, March 19 and 26, 6:30-8pm at CSCVVSB, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village . Details and online registration are available here , or call 805.379.4777 to ask questions or register by phone.

FACES OF HOPE: MARIAN SIEVERS

In honor of Myeloma Awareness Month, we are proud to introduce Marian Sievers, our featured community member for March. Marian (above, left) co-leads the Multiple Myeloma Group that meets at CSCVVSB with Theresa Frank (above, right).

"It's always easier if a friend helps you." When Marian heard one of her great-grandchildren say this to his cousin at a recent family party, it stuck in her mind.

"That's exactly how I feel about the Multiple Myeloma Group," says Marian, who co-founded the group in 2004 with Gary Diehl. Meetings take place on the second Saturday of each month from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara (CSCVVSB) in Westlake Village.

Offered at no cost to patients and loved ones affected by multiple myeloma, the meetings include networking, support, and education around the experience of living with the disease. And it's an experience Marian knows a lot about. Diagnosed in 2002, Marian has survived her original doctor's prognosis by more than a decade.

Click to continue .

JOIN US MARCH 24 FOR A MAGICAL AFTERNOON

It's one of our favorite traditions, and you're invited! Our community will be treated to a magic show at Daniel's Day of Magic on Sunday, March 24, 12-2pm at CSCVVSB, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village . Register online or call 805.379.477 to reserve your spot .

As a tribute to past Board Chair Daniel Jacoby's fun-loving, adventurous spirit and his love of magic, the Board of Directors created Daniel's Day of Magic in 2005.

A light lunch will be provided. RSVP online or call 805.379.4777 to reserve your spot.