Join Team #110 (the four
Southern California TWC’s) as we once again form one of
the largest teams at the 13th Annual 5K run/ walk. What
an inspiring way to spend a day during Mother’s Day
Weekend! Reserve
your spot now by clicking here.
*MAKE
TWICE THE DIFFERENCE*
As a
member of TWC-WLA Team #110 your run/walk will benefit
BOTH cancer research & cancer support programs!
*RECEIVE
TWICE THE BENEFITS*
Receive
two t-shirts…one from Revlon and one from TWC!
Free
Roundtrip bus transportation for all Team 110 members
between our facility in Santa Monica and the event! Bus
reservations required and are on a first come – first
serve basis.
There’s more you can do to help…
BECOME A TEAM #110 AMBASSADOR:
Encourage your
employees, colleagues, friends and family to
register today for THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY’S TEAM
#110
Display and disseminate TEAM #110 brochures at the
businesses you frequent
Connect us to your company’s HR Department…help us
present TEAM #110 at your place of business so your
company can join us as a group
Put a group of 25 people or more together who
join TEAM #110 and we will print your company
or group name/logo on all 600+ team t-shirts!
IMPORTANT: List of names and logo must be
received by April 25th
Share this flyer about the Revlon Run Walk with
your family, friends and coworkers.
For
more information: Allyn Cioban, Director of Development
~ 310/314-2565 or
acioban@twc-wla.org
Not your grandma’s BINGO!
For a night of lively entertainment, don’t miss our 4th
Annual Cabaret-style, Drag bingo event. Trust us, its
bingo like you’ve never played it before! You will
laugh, cheer louder than you have in years and have a
blast! Enjoy dinner and drinks, wet your whistle in the
VIP Wine Tasting Garden, rock out in the “Rock Band”
competition, or just play bingo with your friends!
Hosted
by Electronic Arts (EA) at their gorgeous complex in
Playa Vista
Please
complete it and fax it to TWC-WLA at 310-314-7586.
If none of the
above opportunities are right for you, and you are
interested in becoming involved with the event, we
are happy to customize a sponsorship opportunity that
fits your company’s marketing goals!
For more
information contact: Allyn Cioban, TWC-WLA’s
Director of Development
An afternoon at the
Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey with your closest friends
shopping in our exclusive boutique, dining on
scrumptious delights and being inspired by our deserving
honorees and enlightening speakers.
Team Wellness Marathon Training Program
February 3, 2009
Have Fun. Get Fit. Do Good. These are just
three of the reasons to train with our team to walk or
run a full or half marathon. Training begins August 2008
for the Huntington Beach “Surf City” marathon. You’ll be
surprised how easy it is and how much you’ll enjoy the
‘miles’.
Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards Gala
May 2009
Please join us again next
year as we honor another group of very deserving people
with amazing human spirit!
For more information about
sponsorship opportunities, registration and volunteer
opportunities for any of the above events,
please contact Allyn Cioban by
email
or by phone at (310) 314-2565.
See below to read about our previous events and to view
photos.
10th Annual
Tribute To The Human Spirit Awards Gala, April 3,
2008
We celebrated four deserving honorees at this year's
gala: Carl
Terzian, Chairman of the Board of Carl Terzian
Associates,
Mitch and Susan Golant,
and Paul Viviano.
Click here
to view photos from this beautiful gala. Thank you
to all who participated and contributed to this event!
March 2008
Team
Wellness,
December 2,
2007,
January 27, 2008, and
March 2,
2008
Team Wellness participated in the City of Angeles
Half Marathon on December 2, 2007, the ING Miami Marathon on
January 27, 2008, and the Los Angeles Marathon on March 2, 2008.
Team Wellness is a
fun and
healthy way to create community while providing a needed
community for people affected by cancer.
If you are interested
in joining Team Wellness as we train for our next event, please
contact Erin Morrison
for more information.
February 2008
Friends of Wellness Lecture “Loving and Living Passionately”&
Book Signingwith Karinna Kittles-Karsten,
February 28, 2008
Karinna Kittles-Karsten, The Love Educator, an
internationally recognized
speaker, author and the founder of Sacred Love, Inc. in
Los Angeles, CA, spoke to TWC-WLA's Friends of Wellness
Committee on February 28, 2008.
She inspired
and motivated all who attended to love and live more
passionately and spoke about how to enjoy greater
health, wellbeing and success in the process. To learn
more about Karinna, check out her website by clicking
here
www.sacredlove.com.
November 2007
Friends of Wellness AnnualMembership Luncheon, November
14, 2007
Click here to view photos from this event. Guests
enjoyed an afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey
with close friends shopping in
our exclusive boutique, dining on scrumptious
delights and being inspired by our deserving honorees, who
included Shari Foos, Adrian Grant, and Michael States.
September 2007
Whole Foods 5% Day, September 19, 2007
TWC-WLA
would like to thank all of you who supported us by shopping at
Whole Foods Market Beverly Hills on Wednesday, September 19th
for the 5% day promotion. We are thrilled to announce that Whole
Foods Market Beverly Hills donated 5% of their net sales from
that day to TWC-WLA...a total of $4,268.00! We are grateful to
our community partner, Whole Foods Market Beverly Hills, for
this generous contribution. This gift will help TWC-WLA continue
to provide programs of support, education and hope, free of
charge, to people affected by cancer!
Gladstone’s End of SummerFireworks Extravaganza, September 2, 2007
What a perfect evening this was...a fantastic spread of
Gladstone's famous fare set out on the beach for
TWC-WLA's guests. We ate, we drank, we danced, we
laughed...and then we watched the beautiful sunset
together. The fireworks show was amazing...lighting the
sky and reflecting off the calm ocean. It was a lovely
way to spend the Labor day holiday and we look forward
to seeing you and your family there again next year!
June
2007
Legendary Bingo June 26, 2007
TWC-WLA
held it's 3rd Annual Legendary Bingo Fundraiser on June 26, 2007
at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier. Complete with
Drag Queen, Bridgette of Madison County, and Bingo Boy, Jeffery
Bowman, the evening was truly one of our most fun events of the
year. Eleven lucky winners won amazing bingo prizes....thanks to
the hard work of this years committee. A big thank you to
celebrity stylist, Billy Lowe,
who donated a makeover fit for a star, and Amplitude Consulting,
who donated a walk on role in a video game -- two of our
fantastic raffle prizes! We had an awesome and eclectic silent
auction with items from artist, Gayle Etcheverry, Il Primo
Passo...for the shoe addict, and tons of other cool stuff some
of which was donated by the Scripps Networks. On that note, a
big thank you to our Co-Hosts, Amplitude Consulting and the
Scripps Networks, as well as to our Sponsors, Fidelity Mortgage
Lenders, Fast Signs Culver City, Rusty's Surf Ranch, and those
who wish to remain anonymous for making this event such a huge
success! Save the date for the 4th Annual Legendary Bingo
scheduled for June 2008. Check back with us as details will be
announced soon!
The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles celebrated its ninth
annual Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards Dinner on May 31, 2007
at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
This year’s event was particularly significant since 2007 is
TWC-WLA’s 25th anniversary of service to the
community.Santa
Monica is where it all began when Harriet and Harold Benjamin,
Ph.D. founded The Wellness Community in 1983.To celebrate this milestone, we honored our founding
family, Harriet, Ann and Lauren Benjamin; actor/producer, Steve
Guttenberg; cancer survivors, Barbara and Jerry Federman, M.D.;
and producer and cancer survivor, Laura Ziskin.The room was beautiful -- yellow and silver, to celebrate our
“silver” anniversary -- and the auction items were exclusive --
everything from Spider Man memorabilia to diamond jewelry to
trips to Costa Rico and Hawaii.
Laura Owens presented – with her usual articulate grace –
TWC-WLA’s first-ever Founder’s Award to the Benjamins.Harriet thanked friends, Board members, and donors who
have supported TWC throughout the years.Special guests, Paolo Costanzo, Topher Grace, Holly Goldberg
Sloan, and Gary Rosen all turned out to present Human Spirit
Awards to their colleagues and friends.It was a moving evening beginning with Steve Guttenberg’s
reminiscences of his friendship with Harold Benjamin; Barbara
and Jerry Federman’s honest accounts of their emotional and
physical struggles with cancer; past participant, Bill Kenny’s
heartfelt appreciation of TWC-WLA for its support during his
cancer experience; and ending with Laura Ziskin’s passionate
call to action against the complacency that allows “1,500 people
(to) die every day from cancer”.
A special thank you to Joely Fisher for emceeing the evening
with charm and humor, Daisy Tormé for speaking from her heart
about the value of TWC-WLA, and Board member, Chuck Hershson for
his speech reminding us that as more people survive cancer, more
TWC-WLA support programs will be necessary.
This year’s event netted $215,000, and we thank everyone who
helped – either by donating, volunteering, bidding on silent
auction items, or attending.
Proceeds will go towards TWC-WLA’s free programs of emotional
support for cancer patients and their families.
TWC-WLA Celebrates TWC-National’s 25th Anniversary on
May 20, 2007
On Sunday, May 20, The Wellness Community-National hosted a
party in Pasadena, California to celebrate its 25th
Anniversary.
Elegant hors d’oeurvres were passed while a string quartet
played, and docent tours of the historic Tournament of Roses
House were available throughout the afternoon.“It was a beautiful day that was made even more beautiful
by seeing so many old friends,” said Ellen Silver, Executive
Director, TWC-WLA.Longtime supporter, Joyce Eisenberg-Keefer gave a moving
speech introducing Harriet Benjamin, the original inspiration
for TWC.Harriet,
Ann and Lauren Benjamin presented awards to the founders of all
five of the Southern California TWCs, including our own Flo
Porter, Sangeeta Levy, Ph.D., Malcolm Schultz, M.F.T, J.D., and
Lynne Silbert, M.F.T.
Flo, as a 32-year breast cancer survivor and TWC-WLA’s
now-retired Community Coordinator, has welcomed thousands of
newly-diagnosed cancer patients and their loved ones through its
doors.Sangeeta, Malcolm, and Lynne are all dedicated to the
mission of TWC-WLA as licensed psychotherapists and have many
years of experience in facilitating its support groups.
TWC-WLA was where it all began 25 years ago, co-founded by
Harriet and Harold Benjamin, Ph.D., in a little yellow house in
Santa Monica. This house may be gone but its spirit remains, as
evidenced by the 300+ staff, board, and cancer participants in
attendance at this event.
TWC-WLA would like to thank our participants in particular –-
not only from TWC-WLA’s main site in Santa Monica, but from its
outreach sites in the Downtown Corridor –- who came to celebrate
with us on this sunny California day.
Thank you also to Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of TWC-National and her
staff for their graciousness in hosting such a wonderful event.
Below are a
few photos from the May 20th
th
event.
EIF Revlon Run Walk 2007,
May 12, 2007
TWC-WLA celebrated our 14th year of participation in the 2007
Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/Walk For Women
at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park on May
12, 2007. The Wellness Community had a impressive team of
about 600 people! Our Team #110 helped to
raise awareness and vital funds for women's cancers research,
counseling and outreach programs
by participating in this 5K run/walk. We would like to
extend special thanks to our Corporate Sponsors for this event,
who each brought 25 or more people to our Team #110. Thank you
to everyone who participated - we look forward to seeing you
next year!
Twenty
members of Team Wellness, The Wellness Community-West Los
Angeles’ marathon training team, walked and ran various race
lengths in the Big Sur International Marathon on April 29, 2007.
The team consisted of first time walkers like Liz Hogan who
completed the 10.6-mile race to experienced veterans like Eric
Spears who ran his 25th marathon in memory of his
mom. Each team member raised funds to sustain the free services
of support, education and hope provided by TWC-WLA as well as to
cover the costs to send them to the Monterey/Carmel area for the
weekend. The team raised over $60,000.00 collectively. Kudos to
Sally Anderson, our top fundraiser, who raised over $5,500.00
for TWC-WLA! We even had two team members who trained virtually
from Alabama and Utah, Scott George and Tim Waz. With coach
Robert Mills’s guidance, Scott carried nine loved ones who were
touched by cancer on his arms for 26.2 miles (see photo), and at
31 years old, Tim was our youngest member and fastest full
marathon runner! Way to go guys! Team Wellness was delighted
that four cancer survivors; Shirley Shinohara, Lynda Levy, Joan
Waldman and Aurora Avila were on the team. Aurora finished
treatment in November for breast cancer and began the 17-week
training program in January! Bravo ladies!
Team Wellness begins training September 2007 for a 20-week
program to prepare for the ING Miami Marathon on January 27,
2008. Please join us for a fun and healthy way to create
community for you…while providing a needed community for people
affected by cancer. For more information, please contact Erin
Morrison at 310/314-2555 or
emorrison@twc-wla.org
or check back soon for details.
The
AMGEN Tour of California was an exciting week long cycling event
benefiting The Wellness Community. The race commenced in
San Francisco with the final stage taking place in Long Beach,
California. TWC-WLA staff, board members and co-founder,
Harriet Benjamin all had a wonderful time cheering on the
winning team. The concept for this event was the
brain-child of TWC-WLA Board members Jim Passantino and Tim
Walsh. We thank them for bringing this fabulous event to
us.
December 2006
An Evening of Wine Tasting, Networking and Charity,
December 5, 2006
Thanks
to Tom Weary of
Diamond Portfolio Advisors, LLC for hosting a wonderful
evening of wine tasting on December 5th.
Twenty-five people participated in this evening of wine and
networking held at
The Wine House
in West-LA. Resident sommelier, BJ Severin, taught TWC-WLA
supporters the fine art of wine tasting. By evening's end,
everyone was an expert and able to determine what taste
sensations were more appealing to their 'now sophisticated'
palates. One highlight of the evening was provided by Ms.
Karen Sabatini, TWC-WLA participant, who spoke eloquently of the
impact of our programs and services on cancer patients and their
families. The event raised awareness and funds for
TWC-WLA.
November 2006
2006 Friends of Wellness Membership Luncheon,
November 15, 2006
The Wellness Community – West Los Angeles (TWC-WLA) honored
three outstanding women of valor,
Judy Bernstein, Shirley Blitz and Lynda Levy,
at our annual Friends of Wellness luncheon on Wednesday,
November 15, 2006 at the
Skirball Cultural Center.
For years, these women have given of their time, their hearts,
and their spirit to helping fulfill the mission of TWC-WLA.“Judy, Shirley and Lynda have each demonstrated a
long-standing commitment to The Wellness Community,” said Ellen
Silver, TWC-WLA Executive Director, “and their efforts have
helped bring hope and support to countless people with cancer.”
The Friends of Wellness luncheon was attended by over
265 people, featured a heartwarming presentation from
cancer survivor and TWC-WLA participant Karen Sabatini,
and a wonderful luncheon presentation with authors
Carolyn and Lisa See.In addition, Harriet
Benjamin discussed plans for the 25th
Anniversary of The Wellness Community.
TWC-WLA was thrilled to participate in the Taste of Santa Monica
with a sponsor booth. We passed out delicious cookies
(generously donated by The Art Institute's Culinary School) and
information about TWC to our local community. Volunteers and
staff enjoyed spreading the word about our free services for
people with cancer and their loved ones.
Gladstone's End of Summer Extravaganza, September 3, 2006
What a perfect evening this was...a fantastic spread of
Gladstone's famous fare set out on the beach for 170 of
TWC's loyal and new friends. We ate, we drank, we danced, we
laughed...and then we watched the beautiful sunset together. The
fireworks show was amazing...lighting the sky and reflecting off
the calm ocean. It was a lovely way to spend the Labor day
holiday and we look forward to seeing you and your family there
again next year!
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
August 2006
An Evening of Wine Tasting, Networking and Charity,
August 15, 2006
Thank you to board member Alyssa Padia Walles and her
husband Bill Walles of
Amplitude Consulting for hosting the successful, fun and
educational "Evening of Wine Tasting, Networking and Charity" at
The Wine House.
Average people, like you and me, left that event feeling like
expert oenophiles! A special thank you to our Magnum Sponsor,
Monica Bowers of
Independent Writing Solutions. Don't miss your chance
to learn about wines from around the globe at our next "Evening
of Wine Tasting, Networking and Charity", December 5, 2006,
hosted by board member, Tom Weary of
Diamond Portfolio Advisors.
July
2006
TWC
participants, donors, and staff enjoyed an evening at The
Hollywood Bowl with a lively performance by Tom Jones July 22,
2006.
It was a hot and still evening...it almost felt as if we were
inside an oven...we were hopeless that it would never cool off.
But just as we thought we could take no more of the heat, Tom
Jones came on stage. And as if they cued up the wind machines in
time for his first song, the wind started to blow! Tom's amazing
voice sounded as sweet as the new breeze! He looked fantastic
and put on an outstanding show. Talk about hot! A very special
thank you to our very own pussycat, Lynne Silbert, for
sponsoring the event.
May
2006
8th Annual Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards Dinner,
May 25, 2006
The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles held its 8th
Annual Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards Dinner on May 25, 2006
at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Honorary Dinner Co-Chairs were the
creator and executive producer of ABC’s award winning series
“Lost,” JJ Abrams, and his wife, Katie McGrath; chef
extraordinaire and restaurant mogul Wolfgang Puck; and Academy
Award Winner, Diane Keaton. Jorge Garcia and Terry O’Quinn,
stars of “Lost,” were our hosts as we presented the “Human
Spirit” awards to actress Katherine Heigl and to two remarkable
and deserving couples: Laura Owens & Jack Bender and Ruth &
Donald Salk.
Katie Heigl, who stars as Izzie on the ABC series “Grey’s
Anatomy”, knows that the struggle with a cancer diagnosis
affects the whole family. Her mother is a survivor and a true
inspiration to her. Katie joined us via video, as she was
filming a movie the evening of our event. Nancy Heigl, Katie’s
mom, accepted the award on behalf of her daughter with a moving
speech about her cancer experience and the support she received.
Diagnosed with breast cancer 18 years ago, Laura has served as a
spokesperson for TWC, reassuring cancer patients and their
families that they are not alone. Her husband, Jack Bender,
co-executive producer of “Lost,” whole-heartedly supports her
efforts and reached out to his colleagues in the entertainment
industry to join with them in support of this important event.
Laura, a former participant at TWC, gave a beautiful speech
about TWC’s influence on her and her family during her struggle
with cancer. Click here
to watch and listen to an excerpt of Laura's acceptance speech.
For close to two decades, Ruth and Donald Salk have supported
The Wellness Community by raising money and awareness. Ruth was
the founding Program Director of TWC-South Bay Cities,
co-founder of the “Friends of TWC,” served as Board Member, and
has been facilitating support groups at TWC for 18 years.Don has always supported Ruth’s commitment to TWC with
generous donations to our auctions and by reaching out to the
food and wine community.
Award presenters included actor, Jason Ritter and VP of Research
& Development for TWC – National, Mitch Golant.Singer and actress, Daisy Torme also delivered a moving
testimonial about her personal experience with TWC. This event
was TWC’s most successful ever.Thank you to everyone who contributed to this monumental
accomplishment.
April
2006
Click the Play button below to watch The Wellness Community-West
Los Angeles's Public Service Announcement on Windows Media
Player.
This Public Service Announcement was produced courtesy of
Trampas Film Production. It is currently airing on Adelphia
Cable throughout Southern California.
TWC-WLA Thirty-second PSA
March
2006
TWC Board Members Mark Chapman
and Reza Zamani hosted an "Evening of Wine Tasting,
Networking, and Charity"
at the Wine House in
West LA on March 28, 2006. It was a successful and lovely
evening where guests learned about and tasted six different
wines, had plenty of time to network with other successful
business people, and helped to support the free programs we
offer at TWC-WLA.
If you missed the opportunity to attend this event, we will be
holding this event semi-quarterly. The next events will take
place in August 2006, December 2006, and June 2007. Check
back soon on our
Special Events Page for dates and times.
TWC-WLA
was featured on KCBS News March 7, 2006 in a
story called,
"Cancer Survivors' Group Work To Heal Mind, Body."
February 2006
Amgen Tour of California and Breakaway from Cancer
The
Wellness Community was honored to be the Charity Sponsor of the
Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race in it's
inaugural year.
The race took place February 19-26, 2006 and covered more
than 700-miles from San Francisco to Redondo Beach, California.
Harriet Benjamin received a check from AMGEN for $1.1 million
to support the Southern California TWC's and TWC National.
George Hincapie, professional cyclist and former teammate of
Lance Armstrong, was the spokesperson for
The National Educational Initiative, "Break Away From Cancer".
Congratulations to TWC-WLA's Strides for Hope Marathon Team for
participating in P.F. Chang's Rock-n-Roll Arizona Marathon
January 15, 2006! Together, the team raised $58,806 for TWC-WLA!
November 2005
The
Santa Monica Professionals hosted the 2nd
Annual Legendary Bingo event benefiting The Wellness
Community-WLA on November 17, 2005.
This sold out event was held at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa
Monica Pier and everyone left a winner! $12,200
was raised at what was possibly our most fun event of the year!
You don't want to miss out on the good times next year! Details
to be announced.
TWC-WLA
was one of ten benefiting charities of The Shopping Benefitat
Bloomingdale's onOctober
27, 2005
in Century City, Beverly Center, and Sherman Oaks. Attendees
enjoyed a day filled with special events, live entertainment and
great savings.
See photos from this event here.
TWC-WLA honored Susan Walpert and paid tribute to Lillian Moss
at our
4th annual "look good feel good brunch" on Saturday
October 22, 2005 at the Skirball Cultural Center, which also
included a fashion show courtesy of Bloomingdale's.
See photos and read the article that appeared in the Santa
Monica Mirror.
September 2005
TWC-WLA held its first "Celebration of Life"
Carnival
at
Pacific Parkon the SANTA MONICA
PIER on September 15, 2005.
Thank you for your support of our first Celebration of Life
Carnival held September 15, 2005 at Pacific Park on the Santa
Monica Pier.
The Wellness Community serves as a reminder that quality of
life, joy, optimism and laughter may coexist with the diagnosis
of cancer.Your contribution helps bring all these benefits to people
with cancer and their families.
Tom
Cronan, a 62 year old, one-year pancreatic cancer survivor,
crossed the country on a 6,600 mile motorcycle journey to raise
awareness of The Wellness Community (TWC) and cancer
survivorship.
On May 16, 2005,
Tom Cronan visited The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles along
his 6,600 mile journey. To read Tom's story,
click here, or to view photos from Tom's visit,
click here.
March 2005
The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles celebrated our 7th
Annual Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards Dinner on March 11,
2005. Honorees included
Ruth Weil, Eric McCormack, Daisy Fuentes, Robert Goulet,
and in memoriam, Rhio Weir.
Click here to see photos from the event.
February 2005
On February 27, 2005,
The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles celebrated the Grand
Opening of our new Choose to Laugh Library!
Click here to read the story.
Hosted
by Electronic Arts (EA) at their gorgeous complex in
Playa Vista
TWC
participants, donors, and staff enjoyed an evening at The
Hollywood Bowl with a lively performance by Tom Jones July 22,
2006.
TWC-WLA
was one of ten benefiting charities of The Shopping Benefit
