Reflecting on my past year at CSCVVSB, we have navigated the pandemic and the team has continued business as usual in this not-so-new virtual world. The two most frequent questions I hear are, “When are you reopening?” and “What is happening with the sale of the office?”

First and foremost, our support groups, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle classes, and individual counseling have remained the priority as the need increases due to COVID restrictions and isolation. With the recent spike in COVID cases and the emergence of the Delta variant, we will continue to monitor the CDC recommendations and act accordingly. The health and safety of our participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors are part of our daily conversation and consideration. We will continue to communicate any changes with you via email, social media, and through our support groups and classes.

Regarding our office, we did open escrow recently after we received an offer, which was reviewed and approved by our Board of Directors. Due to a confidentiality agreement with the buyer, I am currently unable to discuss many details. I can inform you that escrow is scheduled to close at the end of January of 2022, and we have the option to rent back from the buyer through March of 2022. In the meantime, we are considering our next location and realize how our community embraces CSCVVSB, so we would like your input. Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback with this brief survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P8WXLDR

As we wrap up the year during this 4th quarter, we thank you for continuing to support our work! Please watch your mail for our year-end giving campaign letter coming soon. Your support allows us to continue to deliver much-needed support and education to cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Thank you for considering a gift that will help us meet our financial goals for 2021!

Be well and stay safe,
Monica E. Merryman
Executive Director
Cancer Support Community VVSB
Celebration of Hope - Cheers to 30 Years Was Incredible!
We are truly grateful to all of YOU for the opportunity to come together virtually to support cancer patients, caregivers, and their families and friends. If you missed the spectacular evening, please click here to watch it.

We are overjoyed by the success. We were able to reach over 400,000 people with event communications, and over 410 households viewed the event!

Cheers to 30 Years!
MEET CSCVVSB FACILITATOR: Jody Tompkins, MA LMFT
I have been a facilitator for 2 years, and I have worked for CSCVVSB in other facilitating and administrative capacities for the past 8 years.

Support groups have provided a safe place for members to experience connectedness with others going through something similar, and have assisted them in feeling hope, and to feel seen, heard, held, and valued. Support groups also provide members with the opportunity to connect with caring and knowledgeable professional facilitators who can help navigate an often complicated, unfamiliar, and upsetting time in their life.

Most of my experiences with CSCVVSB have been poignant and moving. I will share one memory that stands out, when a group member was very nervous prior to a procedure and shared her dark thoughts and worries with the support group. The group members surrounded her with validation for her fears, empathy, practical suggestions for physical comfort and healing, a little bit of humor, and a big dose of hope. It was amazing to see the transformation that this member experienced, moving from heaviness to cautious light and energy. WOW! 

To a hesitant first-time participant, I would first say "Of course you're hesitant - joining this group is not something most people would have ever anticipated or wanted. AND - I hope that you will find that a group can be a place to be yourself and feel connected to others while you're moving through this challenging time in your life. Community really is stronger than cancer!"
HOT OFF THE PRESS: CSCVVSB News
Congratulations to Jessica Gavlik, Operations Director on her nomination and selection by the Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce for their “40 Under 40” Honorees for 2021. These individuals are leaders in their professions and their community.

Jessica has been with CSCVVSB for over 10 years and is responsible for office operations, managing daily finances, payroll and human resources. She truly embraces our mission and is the utmost professional. Cheers to Jessica on this recognition of her commitment and hard work!
Our Board of Directors is happy to announce the recent addition of 2 new Board Members, Freddy Carrillo and Daniel Stepenosky.

Freddy is an Associate Planner with the City of Moorpark. He lost his mother to ovarian cancer approximately 5 years ago and his father was just recently diagnosed with Stage 1 lymphoma. During her treatment, he and his mother attended our Spanish support groups and found them to be extremely helpful.
Daniel Stepenosky, Ed.D. is the Superintendent of Schools for Las Virgenes Unified School District. He participated in a past “Dear Cancer, It’s Me” awards ceremony as our keynote speaker.

Daniel served four and a half years in the US Navy and later received his teaching credential from the University of San Diego, his master’s degree from CSUN and his doctorate from UCLA. A five-year colon cancer survivor, Daniel lives in Calabasas with his wife and two children.

We welcome Freddy and Dan to our Board of Directors and appreciate their involvement and support of CSCVVSB!
We are proud to announce that CSCVVSB was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one of the Central Coast’s Best Places to Work, 2021. The business journal surveys employees, analyzes the data and determines the best of the best. We are honored to be included amongst the 2021 awardees!
GIVING TO CSCVVSB
Mark your calendars and please remember us on #GivingTuesday!
Are you looking for an easy, no-fuss way to give back to Cancer Support Community VVSB? Do you shop on Amazon.com? How about Ralph's grocery stores?
GREAT NEWS! Both of these companies make it easy to choose CSCVVSB as a recipient of their Give Back programs. Visit our website HERE to learn more about all of these programs and more.
Click Here to sign up for Amazon Smile. Enter our EIN# 77-0205691 into the "Pick your own charitable organization" search bar to choose CSCVVSB.

Click Here to go to Ralph's online. Sign in and visit your My Account page. Click on Community Rewards in the left column and enter HT011 to choose CSCVVSB.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS
Night of Remembrance
Thursday, November 4, 2021
6:00 PM -7:00 PM Via Zoom
"Night of Remembrance" is a special event for those who have lost a loved one to cancer. Through healing music, readings, and sharing, it is a chance to remember, reflect, and celebrate the lives of those no longer here but never forgotten
with Sabine Coble
Wednesdays in October
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Register via email or call (805) 379-4777
Breast Cancer: Prevention, Risk Factors and Genetics
With Dr. Bahareh Bahadini & Dr. Nikita Shah
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Register via email or call (805) 379-4777
Teen Cancer Focus Group
Friday, October 8, 2021
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM PST
Open to ages 14 - 18
Register via email or call (805) 379-4777
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Virtual Holiday Party
Friday, December 3, 2021
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Creative Writing
Monday, December 6, 2021
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM