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setting the standard in cancer support since 1982

The mission of The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles is to help people affected by cancer enhance their health and well-being through participation in a professional program of emotional support, education, and hope.  All programs and services are provided at no cost to participants. 

upcoming special workshops

view graphical calendar: March or April

                                  Other Program Links

Stress Reduction & Exercise Classes

Networking Groups

Offsite Groups

NIA

 

Every Wednesday, Begins March 3, 2010     9:30 am - 10:30 am

with Susanne Conrad, Beck Brown, Cheryl Byrne, Colette Sherouse

 

Nia is a pleasure based fusion of dance, yoga and martial arts that uses The Body’s Way to achieve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual fitness and well-being. Nia is a lot like the Tao -- it cannot be defined by any one word or by a single phrase. It is always evolving and changing, uniquely touching each person who experiences it. It’s like Chocolate: you have to taste it! All levels welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

LEARN TO DE-STRESS AND EX-PRESS YOURSELF

 

2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month,     2:00 - 4:00 pm

With Malcolm Schultz, JD, MFT

 

Next Meeting Dates: Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Location: Community Room at the Farmer's Market (Community Room is upstairs; enter through Gate 1)

6333 West 3rd St.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

 

Take control of cancer and say goodbye to distress. Attend a free program and learn from others dealing with cancer.  Meeting includes stress reduction exercises, expressive writing, and group discussion.  Lite snacks served. Drop in attendance welcome. For more information, contact Malcolm Schultz, 310-314-2555.

 

RSVP online for this program.

 

 

 

 

YOUNG ADULTS CANCER SURVIVORS EXERCISE

 

Saturday, March 13, 2010     1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Saturday, March 20, 2010     1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Saturday, March 27, 2010     1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

with Kate Schmidt, A.C.E., N.S.C.A.

 

If you are a young adult cancer survivor, come to a strength training class with Kate Schmidt, A.C.E., N.S.C.A. Kate is a three time Olympian and world record holder in javelin and an ovarian cancer survivor since 1993. Come join us and take this opportunity to enhance and promote you well-being beyond cancer!

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online.

 

 

 

REIKI ENERGY CIRCLE

 

Tuesday, March 16, 2010     10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Tuesday, April 20, 2010       10:30 am - 12:00 pm

with Denise Neumark-Reimer, L.Ac.

 

Reiki is a Japanese method in which you learn how to access "Re Ki" or "Universal Qi". Learn how to activate personal healing potential at any time, from wherever you are, or for family and friends with simple techniques. TWC-WLA's circle will meet the third Tuesday of every month and will teach you how to use Reiki in a grounded, safe and supportive way. Class time will also involve a guided group Reiki healing and time for questions.

 

Denise Neumark-Reimer, L.A.c. has been a licensed acupuncturist for the past 20 years and a certified Reiki teacher or Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki for the past thirteen. She has  been a teacher of Oriental Medicine at both Yo-San University and Emperor's College and is skilled in helping people understand their personal energy patterns and in showing them techniques to maximize healing.

 

 

 

HEART HEALTH & CANCER This workshop has been cancelled.

 

Tuesday, March 16, 2010     6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

with Kathy Magliato, MD

 

Learn about heart disease and the consequences of cancer treatment from Dr. Kathy Magliato. While this talk will be geared towards women, all those with cancer and their loved ones are welcome. Dr. Kathy Magliato, Director of Women's Cardiac Surgical Service at St. John's Medical Center in Santa Monica, CA is one of the few female cardiothoracic surgeons in the world. She is an attending cardiothoracic surgeon at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, California, where she is developing a women's heart center to address the cardiac needs of female patients. She is the author of Healing Hearts: A Memoir of a Female Heart Surgeon.

 

 

 

ASK THE DOCTOR: COLON CANCER

 

Friday, March 19, 2010     10:30 am - 12:00 pm

with A. Eli Gabayan, MD and Nader Javadi, MD

 

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States. If diagnosed, what are your options? Dr. A. Eli Gabayan and Dr. Nader Javadi will discuss various treatment interventions. Bring your questions to this educational talk and learn from two experts in the field of cancer care.

 

As the Chief of Medical Oncology at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, Dr. Gabayan has made it a personal goal to deliver compassionate, yet state of the art care in a healing environment. Dr. Gabayan completed his internship and residency in UCLA where he also served as Chief Resident. He received his Oncology and Hematology training at Cedars-Sinai, where he was an attending physician in private practice. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with a subspecialty in Medical Oncology and is a clinical instructor at the David Geffen School of Medicine.

 

Dr. Javadi has been in practice for nine years. For two years he was a clinical assistant professor at UCI Medical Center. He is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology and is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Hematology. He is vigorously involved in educating community primary care physicians and fellows in training regarding cancer.

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online.

 

 

 

QUILTING
 

Tuesday, March 23, 2010   11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join your fellow participants in this very personal activity to create handmade quilts. All quilts go to cancer participants at The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles. All materials will be provided free of charge however each participant must bring a portable sewing machine to the workshop. Please contact TWC for more information.

 

YOGA FOR SLEEP  This program is full.
 

Thursday, March 25, 2010   7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

with Amy Rose Drucker

Shhhhhh! Quiet your brain and free yourself from another night of counting sheep. Research suggests that a poor night' s sleep can raise levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Join Amy for a full hour of Yoga Nidra or Yogic Sleep. In Yoga Nidra, you leave the walking state, go past the dreaming state, and go to Deep Sleep, yet remain awake. Learn how to use this technique to settle and calm your mind to prepare yourself for a good nights sleep. Yoga Nidra... a perfect antidote to a sleepless night! Milk and cookies provided, and wear your pj's if you want. Amy Rose Drucker is a certified yoga instructor and registered with Yoga Alliance. She has trained around the world, including Australia, New Zealand and India.

To be put on our waiting list call 310-314-2555 or click here.

 

CINEMA WELLNESS

 

Friday, April 5, 2010    The Informant    3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

 

Come gather for an entertaining afternoon of "Movie Therapy". Cinema Wellness uses the art of film to stimulate conversation relating to quality of life issues in the fight for recovery from cancer. We will provide the popcorn.

 

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES IN BREAST RECONSTRUCTION AFTER CANCER

Thursday, April 8, 2010     6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

with Leif Rogers, MD, FACS

 

Breast cancer treatment can sometimes damage tissue and compromise skin to the degree that traditional implant reconstruction is not viable. Dr. Rogers specializes in a few techniques that only a handful of doctors have performed successfully. He has perfected a micro surgical free flap procedure in which he transfers skin and fat to the chest area, sews blood vessels back together to create blood flow, and then forms the tissue into the shape of a breast. Whether you are facing a difficult reconstruction or a straight forward one, Dr. Rogers will answer your questions.

 

Leif Rogers, MD, FACS obtained his medical degree at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and completed his clinical training in General and Plastic Surgery at Columbia University and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, respectively. He also completed a cosmetic Fellowship at Lexon Hill Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospitals, and is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is in private practice in Beverly Hills with hospital privileges at St. John's Huntington Memorial, and Beverly Hills Surgery Institute.

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online.

 

 

 

 

MEDICAL QI GONG
 

Friday, April 9, 2010   11:30 pm - 1:00 pm

with Erik McWilliams, MS, PSI, QH

Medical Qi Gong is often referred to as "needleless acupuncture"; a practitioner works off the body without touching the patient. The subtle energies harnessed have been used to heal chronic pain and disease for centuries. This rare opportunity to learn from an expert about this often forgotten branch and one of the best-kept-secrets of Chinese Medicine.

Erik McWilliams, MS, PSI, QH trained in Qi Gong healing at Xi Yuan Hospital in Beijing, China and at the Chinese Healing Arts Center with world-renowned Qi Gong Grand Master, T.K. Shih, the Executive Director of Nanjing University in NanJing, China. He is a certified Qi Gong Healer, a licensed Structural Integrationist (Rolfer) and has an Oriental Medicine degree from Samra University.

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online. Space is limited.

 

 

BUILDING HEALTH with FENG SHUI
 

Friday, April 16, 2010   11:30 am - 1:00 pm

with Jennifer Bonetto

Encourage greater health by using the time-honored principles of the ancient art of Classical Feng Shui -- the study of geography and built environments and how they affect health and happiness. Uncover the interior and exterior forms in your home that can affect health and the remedies to cure negative forms. Learn the simple Eight Mansion system to find and activate your optimal 'direction' to help improve health based on your birthday!

Jennifer Bonetto is devoted to educating people about this well-respected system that has been mistranslated and misused in western culture. She is a Certified Master Practitioner, Certified Master instructor, a fellow at the American College of Classical Feng Shui (www.accfs.com), and the co-moderator for the Xuan Kong discussion group. Currently, she is part of the 400 year old Wu Chang Feng Shui Master, Denise Liotta-Dennis. She opened her own company, SOULutions, Inc., in 2008.

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online. Space is limited.

 

 

ON MY OWN: BEING SINGLE AND THE CANCER EXPERIENCE

Saturday, April 17, 2010     11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Facilitated by Jill Searle, MFT

Regardless of one’s relationship status, a cancer diagnosis often stimulates feelings of loneliness. Being a single person with a cancer diagnosis, however, may come with a special set of additional issues. Practical concerns, such as getting to and from appointments and procedures, or planning for the aftermath of chemotherapy treatments can become more problematic for those who live on their own. Larger concerns, such as accessing emotional support can feel like it requires more conscious effort than one has the energy to summon. This workshop provides an opportunity to come together with others who live on their own to discuss these challenges and explore solutions. 

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online.

 

 

 

CELEBRATION CIRCLE
 

Friday April 23, 2010   11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Celebrate a tradition: Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation. Celebrate some whimsy: Got Hair, Was Hugged, Did a New Yoga Pose, Clear Scans. Come be a part of our community.

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online.

 

 

ASK THE DOCTOR: GYN CANCERS

 

Thursday, April 29, 2010     6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

with Lejla Delic, MD

 

Gynecological cancers originate in the reproductive tract, including vulvar, vaginal, cervical, uterine, endometrial, tubal and ovarian. Learn the latest information about how you can optimize your health during and after treatment. Sort fact fiction with the help of an expert. Bring your questions!

 

Dr. Delic attended medical school at the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine followed by residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern McGaw Medical Center in Chicago. She is presently a 3rd year fellow in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She has been the recipient of the Berlex Outstanding Resident Teaching Award, CREOG academic achievement award, and the "Gissur Brynjolfsson, M.D. Endowed Scholarship" from Loyola University Stritch Scholl of Medicine for pursuit of academic excellence and perseverance toward her medical degree in spite of unusually difficult challenges. She has presented at national meetings of the Western Association of Gynecologic Oncologist and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

 

RSVP to 310-314-2555 or reserve a space online.

 

 

 

 

 

DON'T LET TWC-WLA BE THE BEST KEPT SECRET

CREATE A VIDEO STORY TO HELP OTHERS DISCOVER TWC-WLA

Stories are important.  And if you are a person with cancer or someone who supports a person with cancer, your story has a unique power to help others. Come in to TWC-WLA and record a video to share how TWC-WLA helped you cope with your cancer experience. TWC-WLA will upload your video to the internet to spread your knowledge, insight and wisdom.  Help connect TWC-WLA to others who need our help.  Tell us a story.  We’re listening. Email us or call us at 310-314-2555 to set up a time to record your story.

 

 

 

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           The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles    2716 Ocean Park Blvd. #1040    Santa Monica CA 90405    310-314-2555