caring education healing laughs sharing wholeness...
TRANSCRIPT
13520 Ventura Blvd.Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Cancer Support Center
7
Remembering Burton S. SperberweSPARK Cancer Support Center mourns the passing of Burt Sperber, the father of our founder, Wendie Jo Sperber. Passion,creativity, humor and imagination are just a few words to describe this talented man. In addition to founding his world renowned landscape company ValleyCrest, being an avid enthusiast of magic and being a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Burt Sperber was a huge supporter, fi nancially and emotionally, of weSPARK. He contributed in ways both large and small, outwardly and behind the scenes. We will miss his enthusiasm and support for our cause and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
weSPARK CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT FRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTHFRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTH
Cancer Support Center
CANCER SUPPORT CENTER
FALL VOLUME 9 ISSUE 3 LIVING IN WHOLENESS...BUILDING HOPE FOR TOMORROW
NON PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE
PAIDVAN NUYS CAPERMIT #2516
SAVE THE DATE
Nancy Allen, Executive Director
Words from weSPARKGratitude, community, family and friendship are on my
mind and in my heart this time of year. Well, I admit I also think about all the yummy food and celebrating
with friends and family this season. It is a time when we all think of others and how we can give back. In thinking
of giving, I think about how fortunate weSPARK is to have such a generous community. I am talking about all of you, who have opened your hearts and your wallets and made it possible for weSPARK to provide free services to cancer patients, family members and their friends for the last ten years. You have made a di� erence in the lives of thousands of families. This year alone, you helped us add the Teen’s cooking class, an additional two support groups, and a healing breath yoga class that teaches how to breathe properly to help relieve stress, re-energize and heal one’s body.
I’m very grateful for your partnership and support of this amazing place we call weSPARK, and so many of our guests call “home.” Thank you and I hope you will join us in your continued support of this organization.
Inside...Remembering Burton S. Sperber..................1
Words from weSPARK......1
Broadway & Beyond Recap...............................2
3rd AnnualRun/Walk Recap........2
Tribute Donations toBurton S. Sperber......3
weSPARK Guest Testimonial....................5
POKER POKER POKER TOURNAMENTTOURNAMENTTOURNAMENT
The Jason The Jason The Jason Alexander Alexander Alexander
Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Hold ‘em Hold ‘em Hold ‘em
Sunday, March 25, 2012
With Love From . . .
3 IN MEMORY OF BURT SPERBER IN MEMORY OF BURT SPERBER
David Vine
Deborah & Damon FisherDina Dwyer-Owens
Don BrinkerhoffDorothea & Kevin Kaz
Dorskind FamilyDr. Sey Ulansey
Drs. Donald & Barbara KornblauEddie & Robin Strause
Elaine Goodman & FamilyElaine Hanig
Eli & Arlene ChernowEllen Wolf & Isaac Blumderg
Eric WassermanErica RiveraEvelyn Jutin
Fernando BlancoFrank Carson
Gail & David Friedman & FamilyGail WilsonGale Family
Gary & Helene HellerGayle & Mel Stern
Gayle LarsonGeorge & Norma Reber
Gerry & Thomas DonnellyGoodwin International
Greg & Angelica BarkerHarold WhiteHeather Gault
Hector & Matilde LavenantHighBank Advisors LLC Howard & Margie Keyes
Hualalai ResortHydro-Scape Proucts, Inc.
Jeannine ImperialeJeffrey Mutch
Jill & Joseph GoldsteinJo Skibby
Joan BowmanJoan Ruben
Jocelyn TetelJohn Rucci
John W. Jordan II, The Jordan Company, LP.Jon & Karen LopezJon & Sheryl Layne
Abby & David KohlACE American Insurance Co.
Albert SalvadorAlbert Sweet, Craig Darian & All of Burt’s
friends at Occidental EntertainmentAlec Gores
Alexander WinnickAlexandra SchochAmanda Pearson
Amy Snyder - Ruppert LandscapeAndrew Brennan
Ann & Jack SperberAnnette ShapiroAnthony GarrutoAntony ResslerAraceli Montes
ARIArlene & David Ray
Arnold NelsonAudrey Irmas
Barbara Bereny Barbara Epstein
Bibiano & Tresia CostelloBob & Ruth Zangwill
Brenda & Budge OfferBrennan O. Libbey
Brian Storm & FIELDS INC. Bruce & Amber GendeinBruce & Elaine Lazarus
Burdge & Associates Architects, Inc. California Landscape Contractors
Association, Inc.Carl & Lael Rosenberg
(Friends of Mel & Gayle Stern)Charlene Nakamura
Charles & Lynne McClureChristy Russell
Claire Dicker & FamilyClaudia DeCea
Coastline EquipmentColeen Friedman
Cumberland FamilyCyndi EtzlerDarren Gold
David & Debra GreenDavid Copperfield
With Love From . . .
4IN MEMORY OF BURT SPERBER
Jon GeorgioJose Espinoza & Marissa Lopez
Jules BerlinKaren & Gary WinnickKaren Kleinhesselink
Kathryn HannonKelly Duke
Kenneth HutchesonKimberly Young & Steven Gottschalk
Kriss Keogh Lannette Pabon
Larry Moline, FASLA Landscape ArchitectLaura Cunz, RiversEdge Graphic Design
Laura SpivyLaurence Leon
Lawrence AbbottLester & Kathrine Worsham
Libby HershbergLinda Ellis
Los Angeles ClippersLouis Iglesias, Chartis
M. Colby DehoffMalibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Foundation
Marca HelfrichMarcello Liguori
Marco PizzoMarcy & Harold Stein
Margery & Alan SpechtMargie & Gary Golter
Maria & Vincent GermannMark Laatsch
Mary & Brendan McFaddenMary Goodman
Maxine & Bob Brauer Mel & Beverly Rosenthal
Michael LyonsMike & Debe Lucki
Mike & Sharon Hopkins, Manny, April & EdMike & Tina Caveney
Milt & Suzanne RussikoffMuriel & Sandy Simon
Nanci RosenfeldNancy & Gene Giannulli
Nancy AllenNeville LaatschNorm Neilson
Orange County Region Pat & Sandy Gage
Pat Mahoney and Family West Coast ArboristsPaul & Vicki Soll
Pedro & Allison MercadoPeter Wilkerson
Regina MarshRenny & Bernie Shapiro
Renu Agrawal & David WeberRichard & Sara Hess
Richard MillerRobert Lentz
Robin & Andrew MandellRoger & Lynn Zino
Roni EllerSally Winsberg
Sandy & Gene DworskySandy & Marvin Smalley
Sean BrosnanSharon & Phillip Adams
Sharon AdamsSophia Ma
Southern California District Council of LaborersStephanie Feyne
Steve & Joan SteinSteve Soboroff
Steve Valentine & Inna KorobkinaSteven & Andrea Lurie
Steven Beyer & Michael PennSteven Lewis & Lois Yaffee
Steven Pruchansky (Greenscapes of Southwest FL, Inc.)
Sunny DeutschmanSusan ChapmanSusan Eskenazi
Suzanne & Paul GreenSuzanne Buirgy, Terry Mason & Sue Palladino
Sylvia SilverTerri Cook Village Nurseries
Thomas PowellTim Carpenter
ValleyCrest Longboat Key BranchVictor Bernardini
Victor MooreWickham Zimmerman
Wimmer Yamada & Caughey
Broadway and Beyond
2
5
Torchbearersthe
living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrow
� e Torchbearers is for bighearted individuals who wish to give an annually
recurring gi� to weSPARK Cancer Support Center for annually recurring needs.
Please become a Torchbearer and help support weSPARK!
YOU keep the spark alive at weSPARK
Cancer Support Center
Come visit our website at www.wespark.org, Follow us on Twitter @wesparksupport and Facebook
weSPARK presents...
your online community for patients, caregivers, and supporters.
weSPARK was not sure it could top itself after last year’s amazing “Broadway Tonight” event. But on September 26th 2011 at the Alex Theatre, Barbara Epstein, the show’s producer/director, outdid herself again when she added comedians and dancers to an already all-star lineup for this year’s “Broadway & Beyond” event.
Along with host Alonzo Bodden, stand up comedians Alec Mapa and star of CBS’s “Mike & Molly” show, Billy Gardell, kept the audience in stitches in between being blown away by the vocal talents of Valarie Pettiford, David Burnham and American Idol contestant Allison Iraheta. The stage lit up when “So You Think You Can Dance” winner Russell Ferguson and contestant Gev Manoukian showed o� their dancing footwork. weSPARK was thrilled to be honoring three amazing individuals at the event, including renown plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Leif Rogerswith the “Commitment to Care” award, cancer survivor and judgeof “So You Think You Can Dance” Mary Murphy, with the “Heart of weSPARK” award and “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry with the “Creation of Awareness” award. The night ended with a very special ra� e drawing, with the winner receiving an opportunity to meet John Travolta and attend next year’s highlyanticipated premiere of “Gotti.” It was a marvelous night of laughter, singing and dancing with all proceeds from the show benefi tting weSPARK.
Look Good...Feel BetterJoin us at weSPARK for a night of beauty & fun, plus
a make-up kit provided by the American Cancer Society.
We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month
in Sherman Oaks.
Space is limited, must call to sign-up. To sign up, call Alexandra at (818) 906-3022
weSPARK’s 3rd Annual Run/Walk
Universal Studios was lit up particularly early on Sunday,November 13th as 2,000 people headed to the Backlot
for weSPARK’s 3rd Annual 10K Run & 5K Run/Walk.
With shirts in hand, participants descended on the exclusiveBacklot, making their way past some favorite (and even some
nostalgic) movie sets. Whether running past Jaws, New York Street, Spartacus Square or Psycho House, there was no denying the excitement of this year’s Race Venue. The War of the Worlds set awaited anxious runners and walkers at the fi nal turn of the race. Finding their way back to the Expo, runners and walkers were treated with an up close look at the Great Outdoors House.
Now in its third year, the Run/Walk has gained momentum and notoriety. Started by weSPARK’s newest Board Member Anton Maillie, the event has continued to draw thousands of people, an array of sponsors and local celebrities and representatives. Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel welcomed the crowd early and it was Wayne Brady who once again counted down to the race start.
It was an emotionally exhilarating day, as runners and walkers, individuals and teams, children and adults made their mark, crossing the fi nish line to receive their medal and the cheer of the crowd. weSPARK congratulates the top three winners for the 5K: Evan Anozie, Jared Cienega, and Jerry Dinowitz; and for the 10K: Kristo� er Chacon, Maxwell Gri� n, and Jon Ross!
Comedian & star of “Mike & Molly” Billy Gardell
Former “American Idol” contestant Allison Iraheta
Mary Murphy & Alonzo Bodden Honoree Dr. Leif Rogers & partner Robyn ChamberlainHonoree & creator of “Desperate Housewives” Marc Cherry
& “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Hu� man
Like most people who have faced a cancer diagnosis, I had spent innumerable hours in the sterile environment of hospitals, labs and medical o� ces. I had been poked, probed and cut into more times than I could count. When I walked through the doors of weSPARK, the di� erence was palpable. I knew immediately I had come to a safe, nurturing place—full of compassionate people whose sole purpose was to help me heal! At weSPARK, you are surrounded by others fi ghting the same battle and armed with a wonderful group of professionals to help you recover from the physical debilitation of being ill and the emotional trauma of losing a body part. The options of services are quite eclectic—support groups, individualbody work, classes and creative outlets. It’s truly a program with something for everyone.
Perhaps what struck me most is: During cancer treatmentin the medical environment, virtually everyone who touches you creates some kind of stress or pain—not intentionally, of course—it’s just a necessary evil in fi ghting cancer. At weSPARK, when anyone touches you, whether it’s to do body work or simply give you a supportive hug, you feel enormous relief and comfort.
Further, cancer is an expensive disease. At a time when I was on disability and we were struggling to make sure our bills were covered, it was a huge relief to receive weSPARK’s services at no charge. I cannot overstate what an incredibly valuable gift weSPARK gave me in allowing me to receive much-needed help without a strain on our fi nances.
My husband, Paul, is most appreciative as well. In his words: “As a caretaker, it was comforting to know that not only was there a place for my wife to fi nd support, but that weSPARK was equally willing to provide services for me as well. They understood both the value and burdens of a caretaker and wanted to make sure my needs were also met. I am forever grateful for that.” We both cannotspeak highly enough of our experience at weSPARK.
Cancer is something no one wants to deal with, but once you are diagnosed, you don’t really have a choice. Thank goodness for an organization like weSPARK to help us in our journey through this unfortunate disease.
– Barbara and Paul Caplan-Bennett
weSPARK Guest Testimonial
at Universal Studios
Wayne Brady, Nancy Allen & Anton Maillie
Top 5K Females, 1st place winner Megan Satterfi eld & 2nd place winner Zoe Fleck
Nancy Allen, City Controller Wendy Greuel, Run/Walk Event Director &
Board Member Anton Maillie
Run/Walk warm up in Expo area prior to run
We invite you to visit our website
to view all tributes. Thank you for your support.
www.wespark.org