Women's Cancer Resource Center News
April 2007
Dear Friends,
I couldn't sleep last night after learning about the terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech and so at about 3:00 in the morning I pulled out a book called The Vision of Peace: Faith and Hope in Northern Ireland. It's a collection of essays edited by Irish Nobel prize winner Mary Corrigan Maguire (no relation) who, out of the painful depths of violence among her own people, has developed a profound vision for peace and social change. There is one essay in particular that comforts me.
It is written by Thomas Merton, who cautioned peacemakers in Northern Ireland and social activists around the world to avoid the mistake of becoming "success oriented" and failing to recognize that the diseases and injustices we struggle against are very complex and advanced.
"Do not depend on the hope of results," Merton wrote. "When you are doing the sort of work you have taken on, especially an apostolic work, you have to face the fact that the work will apparently be worthless and achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect.
"As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. And there too a great deal has to be gone through, as gradually you struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. The range tends to narrow down, but it gets much more real. In the end, it is the power of personal relationships that saves everything. The big results are not in your hands or mine, but they suddenly happen, and we can share in them, but there is no point in building our lives on this personal satisfaction, which may be denied us and which after all is not that important."
I take real inspiration from Merton's insight that "in the end, it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything."
For the staff and volunteers of the Women's Cancer Resource Center, it is a huge challenge to stay focused on what we want to be true for the women we serve. But we do. Every day. One woman at a time.
Peggy McGuire
Executive Director
peggy@wcrc.org
510.601.4040 x101
In the WCRC Art Gallery
"Significant Others"
features art by members of LGBT Communities.
This painting by Helen Krayenhoff.
Opening reception with the artists
Friday, May 18th, 6-9 pm.
Get more information including gallery hours!
Workshops and Classes
In addition to weekly T’ai chi chih and yoga classes
we will be offering a variety of other workshops and
classes this winter. Please check the calendar on our website or send your contact information mailing address and
email to margo@wcrc.org to make sure that you receive a current
schedule.
Legal Workshops
With Haydee Alfonso, Esq.
- Employment Issues: Thursday, May 3, 7 - 9 PM
- SSI/Disability Issues: Thursday, May 17, 7-9 PM
- Consumer Issues: Tuesday, June 19, 7-9 PM
There will be time for Q&A and the end of the workshop.
Please register with Margo - margo@wcrc.org or 510-601-4040 x111.
Dream Group for Women with Cancer With Zoe Newman
Join us in as we learn how to listen to our dreams and receive the support they offer. This six-week group, beginning April 10, will offer a chance to explore our dreams - and ways we can draw on the healing imagery from our dreams to support our healing
Six Tuesdays beginning April 10th
3 - 4:30 PM
Please call Zoe to register (510) 527-9061
WCRC Cooking Club
Quick and Easy Meals
April 18th with Sandy Der - Better Way to Wellness
Come join us to learn more about healthy cooking and nutrition and to share a light meal together.
Future Topics and Dates:
- Healthy Soul Food With Vinnetta Bradley of Hunia's Divine Soul Kitchen - Wednesday, May 16, 6-8 PM
- Healthy Desserts With Sandy Der - Wednesday, June 20, 6-8 PM
Register: margo@wcrc.org or 510-601-4040 x111
Watercolor Painting Classes
This is a class suitable for beginning painters as well as those with some watercolor painting experience. Each class will begin with warm-up exercises and demonstrations of basic watercolor techniques. In-class assignments will practice those techniques and explore each student's creativity.
The class will be taught by Margo Rivera-Weiss. All basic materials will be supplied. February 1st - April 26th, 2 - 4 PM. Class size is limited - please register to reserve your space - Margo 510-601- 4040 x111 or margo@wcrc.org. Drop-ins welcome.
Fundraisers
Support Strokes
Support Strokes began at California Canoe & Kayak (CCK) six years ago in support of a friend and fellow paddler, Lore Hogan. Paddle around Jack London Square to raise funds for WCRC and other great local organizations.
Get more information and register!
IFMA 7th Annual Golf Tournament
Then check out the International Facility
Management Association (IFMA) - East Bay Chapter’s 7th
Annual Golf Tournament on June 4th, 2007. With proceeds
benefiting the Women’s Cancer Resource Center (WCRC) of
Oakland, you get the opportunity to play at one of the East
Bay’s finest golf clubs – Round Hill Country Club in Alamo –
while helping the WCRC continue its mission to empower
women with cancer to be active and informed consumers
and survivors.
Participants will enjoy the following
activities:
- Outgun
- The GorillaLong Drive Champ Assistance
- Closest to the Pin, Putting, Hole-in-One, and Long Drive Contests
- BBQ Lunch and Banquet Dinner
- Free Beverages and Snacks
- Spouse Pampering by the Pool
- Live Entertainment
- Raffle with Great Prizes and Silent Auction
- Golf Awards
- Resources On Sustainability
For more information and to register either as a player or as a
sponsor, please visit http://ebifmagolf.golfregistrations.com.
Support our Work
WCRC Wish List
- Locksmith Services
- Teas or gift cards to Berkeley Bowl, Trader Joe's or Whole Foods to use to purchase tea and goodies for our clients
- Gift cards to local furniture/design stores or IKEA to off-set the cost of our redesign project - Graphic design services
- Newer laptop computers
- Cordless microphone, amplifier speakers, stands and cables, a mixer and turntables (for the Swim a Mile)
Please contact us with your wish list item(s)!
For Bart Ticket Holders
BART tickets with tiny bits of value on them that you find in your wallet, pockets and drawers have just become far more valuable to the Bay Area's community organizations. As part of the Tiny Tickets Program, BART ticket holders may donate these tickets to the Women's Cancer Resource Center. Connecting local resources and community needs is what the Tiny Tickets Program is all about. Please send your "tiny tickets" directly to WCRC at 5741 Telegraph Avenue Oakland, CA 94609. If you're in the area you may also drop them off Monday - Friday 9 AM - 5 PM
Spring Cleaning
Spring is a great time to get rid of all that stuff that is taking up space in your garage and closets. Most of that "stuff" can be donated to the Community Thrift Store and in turn they will make a donation to WCRC. Donate your items to Community Thrift Store and designate the Women's Cancer Resource Center as your beneficiary. Visit the Community Thrift Store at 625 Valencia Street, San Francisco or call them at 415.861.4910 for more information.
Volunteer
Come to our Volunteer and Intern Orientation
When: Wednesday, May 2, 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Where: WCRC office, 5741 Telegraph Ave. (at the corner of 58th St. in North Oakland.)
Transportation: AC Transit 40 and 40L buses stop right in front. There is also plenty of parking if you are driving.
Find out about who we are, what volunteers and interns do, and basic information about cancer.
To sign up for an orientation, e-mail or call Sarah, sarah@wcrc.org, 510.601.4040 x105
WCRC Support Groups
If you or a loved one is struggling with cancer, we encourage you to participate in a support group here at WCRC. If you are interested in a support group that is not listed, please call Dolores at 510.420.7900 x112.
See a list of the support groups at WCRC!
Other Announcements and Events
Financial Assistance
In addition to the Patient Financial Aid Program, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Prescription Drug Co-Pay Assistance Program offers financial assistance to patients toward prescription drug premiums and prescription drug co-pay obligations under private insurance, Medicare Part B, Medicare Plan D, Medicare Supplementary Health Insurance and Medicare Advantage.
To request an application, please call our co-pay assistance program at 877-557-2672 or email copay@lls.org and a specialist will assist you.
Studies Recruiting Participants
Coping, Meaning and Adjustment Among Female Cancer Survivors
The title of my research is called "Coping, Meaning and Adjustment Among Female Cancer Survivors." I'm hoping to interview women that are between six months and ten years in remission. I'll be conducting telephone interviews between 45 and 60 minutes. Participants will receive $15 dollar gift cards (to the store of their choice) or I will make a donation to a charity on their behalf.
The interviews will be looking at how women coped with having cancer physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually, as well as how they adjusted to being a survivor and how they made meaning out of their experience.
If interested, please contact Emily Gilbert, social work student at San Francisco State University: egilbert@sfsu.edu and 415.368.5232.
The Sister Study
The Sister Study, conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is seeking 50,000 women whose sisters had breast cancer to help find the causes of breast cancer. For more information visit www.sisterstudy.org, o para español www.estudiodehermanas.org. Call toll-free 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837). Deaf/Hard of Hearing call 1-866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747).
"Each One Reach One"
3rd Annual African American Breast Cancer Conference - "Each One Reach One: Working Together to Make a Change"
Sponsored by the Northern California Cancer Center and the Women's Cancer Resource Center
Saturday, May 19, 2007
8:30am to 2:30pm
Oakland Hilton Airport, International Ballroom One Hegenberger Road, Oakland 94621
The purpose of this annual conference is to raise awareness about breast cancer in the African American Community through the presentation of information on body, mind, and spiritual healing.
Session Topics Include:
- Healthy Lifestyle & Fitness
- Risk & Early Detection
- Conventional/Alternative Treatment
- Cancer Survivorship
- Caregivers Perspective
- Mental & Spiritual Healing
- Health Information/Resources
*Musical Performances & Entertainment
Admission: FREE to attend. Registration is REQUIRED.
*Registration fees underwritten by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate
For more information, visit www.nccc.org, call 1.888.315.5988, or email education@nccc.org.
Partnering organizations include the Alameda County Medical Center - Cancer Navigator Program and the American Cancer Society. Funders of this event are Mills-Peninsula Health Services, Northern California Cancer Center: Oakland Athletics Fund, PlumpJack LINK Fund, Melanie M. Bronfman Education Fund; Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center; and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - San Francisco Bay Area Affiliate.
Contra Costa County Events
Nutrition & Cancer/Nutrición & Cáncer
March 29, 2007/El 29 de Marzo del 2007
From: 12:00 to 2:00 pm/De 12 del mediodía a 2pm
At/En: The Wellness Community
3276 Mc Nutt Ave.
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Radio Campaign "Mother's Day" /Campaña de Radio por el Día de la Madre"
May 9, 2007/El 9 de Mayo del 2007
From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm/ De 10:00 am a 3:00 pm
At/En: La Clínica-Monument
2100 Monument Boulevard, Suite #8
Pleasant Hill, CA
Heath Fair/Feria de Salud
May 12, 2007/Mayo 12 de 2007
Senior Appreciation Day & Resource Fair/Apreciación para personas mayores y feria de servicios
At/En: Ambrose Recreation Center
3105 Willow Pass Rd,
Bay Point, CA
For information please contact /Para mayor información por favor de contactarse con: Millie Ruiz Latino Program Coordinator @ 510-601-4040 ext.110 or 925-381-9866 (Cell), millie@wcrc.org
Cardio Basics
by LauraLynn Jansen
As spring is blossoming it is a great time to switch up old habits and create new ones. Creating a healthier relationship with exercise may be one of the keys to decreasing your hecticness and a healthy way to move into the warmer months. . . . Read Entire Article. . .
LauraLynn Jansen can be contacted through her
website, www.ihcoach.com
Our Mission
To empower women with cancer to be active and informed
consumers and survivors; to provide community for women
with cancer and their supporters; to educate the general
community about cancer; and to be actively involved
in the struggle for a life-affirming, cancer-free society.
email: news@wcrc.org
web: http://www.wcrc.org
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