The SPARKles: Together, They Shine

weSPARK has always focused on ways to make a real, discernible diff erence in the lives of those who have been aff ected by cancer. Thanks to the generous contributions from all of our supporters, 2014 was a fantastic year of expansions and improvements. We are off ering more support services, includingthose in key areas of need like Spanish-language support groups, grief groups, and programs for kids and teens. We are workingtirelessly to improve our online presence by updating our website and off ering online programming so those who are unable to make it to the weSPARK offi ces can still be part of our community. And if you’ve driven by our offi ces recently, you may have noticed

Words from weSPARK

that our front entrance got a bit of a facelift! We are thrilled to share all of our new & improved services with you into 2015 and beyond. Thank you for making it all possible!

Nancy Allen, Executive Director

Cancer Support Center

CANCER SUPPORT CENTER

WINTER 2015 VOLUME 13 ISSUE 1 .

OUR MISSIONweSPARK is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, their families, and friends. weSPARK provides, free of charge, multiple services designed to heal the mind, body and spirit of all those whose lives have been aff ected by cancer.

818.906.3022 • www.wespark.org

weSPARK

Inside...Words from weSPARK.......1

The SPARKles: Together, They Shine.........................1

weSPARK Holiday Party................................2

Beauty Bus.................2

2014 Donors.............3

Financial Year in Review.................5

The Jason Alexander Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament............6

How do you even begin to process the loss of a spouse to cancer? For the “SPARKles” (the self-titled

name of one of weSPARK’s grief support groups), meeting and bonding with each other has helped them fi ll the void in their lives. “We may not have a lot in common, but no one gets me like these girls,” said Joyce B. “What I was looking for was community,” added Coco L., “but you guys [the SPARKles] are my family now.” The SPARKles have been meetingfor over a year, and they all agree that the group has given them a sense of freedom – the freedom to accept their feelings no matter what they are, and the courage to say them out loud. “We give unconditional support to each other,” said Klara F., “we feel one hundred percent – no, one thousand percent supported by each other.”

All of these women agree that their husbands’ passing was the hardest and deepest loss they haveever felt. To the rest of the world, the sharpness of their grief is unfathomable, and these women

may feel like a burden to others as they struggle to process their new normal. But

within the group there is no pressure to be “over it” – they have full permission to

be open and honest, and they are welcomed to express their thoughts and feelings. “It’s nice to know there’s not something wrong with me for

not being further along,” said Coco L. Through the help and support of the

group and Suzanne Shayne, MFT, thegroup’s facilitator, the pain startsto diminish and many are able to fi nd hope and to laugh again.

When asked to describe weSPARK, all of the SPARKles agreed that

it was a place of compassion and community, and a place that they feel

loved and supported. “I’m not into groups, but this is more than just a support group – these are my friends,” said

Susan L. A common refrain from Suzanne is “a broken heart is an opportunity for an open heart.” The women in the SPARKles are clear proof that there is hope even in the darkest times. Klara F. exclaimed, for anyone considering coming to weSPARK, “run, don’t walk!!” Interested in joining one of weSPARK’s support groups? Call or email today: 818-906-3022 / carlin@weSPARK.org

Pictured (L-R, top): Coco L., Shelley E., Susan L., Klara F.; (L-R, bottom): Suzanne Shayne MFT, Joyce B.; not pictured: Adele B., Pilar T., Barbara H., Barbara J.

“We may not have a lot in common, but no one gets

me like these girls”

What do weSPARK guests, supporters, staff, celebrities, and Santa have in common? They all came out to the weSPARK Annual Holiday Party on December 11! A fun and festive time was had as everyone enjoyed a hearty meal, delicious desserts, and wonderful entertainment by the Spinning Dreidel, the National In-Choir, and yes, the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus. A big Thank You to everyone who made a purchase at our Fundraising Bazaar which featured lovely handmade ceramics, jewelry, pashminas, and some memorable weSPARK gear from years past. We are glad so many of you could join us for such a fabulous evening!

weSPARK Holiday Party

Look Good...Feel Better

The Torchbearers is for big-hearted individuals who wish to give an annually recurring gift to weSPARK Cancer Support Center for annually recurring needs.

To become a Torchbearer, please visit our website: www.wespark.org

YOU keep the spark alive at weSPARK...

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrow

Just in time for the holidays, weSPARK partnered with one of our favorite organizations, The Beauty Bus Foundation, for our annual pop-up salon.

The Beauty Bus Foundation delivers dignity, hope and

respite to chronically or terminally ill men, women and children and their caregivers through pampering products and beauty and grooming services The Beauty Bus Foundation brought a group of their wonderful volunteers and all of their beauty supplies to provide complimentary services to our

guests. They provided 35 facials, manicures, make up applications, and hair and wig styling to our cancer patients and their caregivers. Everyone left with a smile on their face and a spring in their step. Thank you so much to the Beauty Bus Foundation for a wonderful day, and we are so thankful for our partnership!

2 Follow us on Twitter @weSPARKsupport and Like us on Facebook.com/wesparkcancersupportcenter

The National In-Choir provided musical cheer for all our guests! Handcrafted ceramics donated by the Village Arts Project were on sale at our Fundraising Bazaar

Board Member Anita Rich (R) and friend

Maggie L. is getting ready for her close-up!

Nothing relaxes you like a facial!

Sadie G., of the “wee”SPARK Children’s Group gets her turn with Santa

Nancy Allen (Executive Director), Leslie Ann Warren, and Catherine Carlin

share in the holiday fun!

Joel Vendette, Carla Patterson, and facilitator Diane Hubner

Michelle Berenson, a weSPARK guest, enjoys the festivities with her daughter

Rosa V. shows off her fresh

manicure & makeup!

Donald & Maria GabrielJann Goldsby

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowSimon & May Goodman

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowCharlene GorzelaLynda Greene

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowMiki HermanGretchen HiegelPhil IdrissiWesley ItoWendy & Michael James

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowBarbara Jampel

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowRex JonesBarbara A. Joseph

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowNico JuberMichael JuceamJudy KainMiles KavallerMike & Ilayanne Kichaven

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowRichard KriegerCharles LaBellaVictoria LaFortuneMichael LevineMarian Lobl

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowAndrew & Robin MandellSusan A. Masback

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJenna Mathioudakis

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowGabriela MilitelloEric & Carol NorrisSam Orender

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowYolanda PalomoAlan & Jackie ParkinsonKelly PerssonBernie & Judy Pike

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowSteven Piorkowski

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowMarty PompadurJoe PrivitelliJan & Roger Quinn-Jutras

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowAnn RattinJoy & Warren Rotblatt

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJerry Sanford

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowMark SchnurleScience of Mind Spiritual Center,

Los AngelesZachary ShroyerKerry & Jed Silverstrom

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowHerbert Slavin

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowPamela SoperBlair StribleyAlbert Sweet

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowTodd Thompson

Arthur ThomsonJonathan TolkinMichael ToppEric TremlGary Tungate

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowNancee & Jerry Weinstein

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowScott WilliamsSally Winsberg

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowEddie Ziv

FRIEND ($100-249)Adept Consumer TestingRusty AdvinculaAnait Alabyan Christopher AllisonRobert AmellJanis & Bob A. Andres Barry AppelDorothy AppleJulian Aroesty Randy AwniMark BaerAra BaljianRoxanne BanasNatalie Barandes & Dena KaplanDoug BaraschCarol Baxter Charlotte Bell & MC BennettJeff BenardJohn BennettKim E. BensonArnold E. BernsteinDeborah BernsteinSusan C. BernsteinAllan Biblin Joyce BlackJoyce T. BlackBarbara & Bill BoothCarmen BosleyMark BoyerEmily Brecher Karl Breckner Terri BreerCarey BriggsBrandi Britton Marguerite BrokawWayne BrownBarbara J. BrownellRima BuchCerra Buckholz

Bruce GendeinGary & Helene HellerMichael KanigherSherri Kent Torchbearers

the

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowKyle Rudow Memorial FundMaurice LaMarche

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowSusan & Sheldon Malchicoff

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJames A. MorrisMovie Madness Video & More, Inc.Cheryl O’NeilParadigm Talent AgencyDerek PerrinJane PitluckPoker Royalty Inc.Lindy RobbinsDr. Leif & Robin RogersMelvin & Beverly RosenthalSAY IT NOWDiana Schettini & Kevin Brown

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowMaryann & Matt Siegel Kerry & Saralee VosburgWavefront TechnologyScott Williams & Catherine

Curry-WilliamsSteven WolfeZemeckis Charitable Foundation

SPARK ($500-999)Nancy AllenJustine BatemanGerald BernardiMichael S. BertramJanet & Brian Blake

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowMaxine Brauer

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJames & Debbie BurrowsPamela & Scott CarletonElaine Donley

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowDr. Joseph EbyRoni Fischer

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowDavid GaineyFrank Galassi

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowCarol GasparJudith L. GoldmanVieve Haag Torchbearers

the

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowBob Hirsch Torchbearers

the

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowLisa A. HurrelJoanne & Barry Jacobs

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowKristian KachikisTim & Joanna KearnsLaurie G. Linvill

Gary Macdonald Torchbearers

the

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowAnton J. Maillie & Mari FuentesGabriel & Teresa Marquez

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJack & Stephanie McGeeJudith MeadowsJoanie & Howard Mees

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowKaren Morin-Green &

Kenneth GreenMatt & Kossal NelsonPatrick NielsonMichael Nixen

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowLance O’ConnorCarla PattersonAnita RichLarry RiedelYoriko SaneyoshiNancy SchechtmanMichael Schlenker

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJodye SelcoDiane SharlinMichael & Doris ShermanMark & Jill Shinderman

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowSylvia D. Silver

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowArnold & Candi Sisk

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowArthur ToretzkyTower Hematology Oncology

Medical GroupLisa A. TurcoCynthia WeldenAllison & Wickham Zimmerman

IGNITE ($250-499)Marjorie AbrahamsMehrnoush & Iradj AnvarDavid AzulayRachelle Carson & Ed Begley Jr.William CannonDavid & Lee ChemelJoel D. CheresnickJason CieslakClaudia & Carlos Cosenza

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowDeirdre CossmanJon F. Davison & Sarah

CruikshankPaul DallenbachNatasha Detmer

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowChris DiPettaTom & Gerry Donnelly

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowNora DoyleDeborah & Elliott Fils

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrow

INFERNO ($40,000 +)Charlene SperberFord Motor Company

BLAZE ($10,000-39,999)Backyard ProductionsBenefits Exchange AllianceAmy & Michael McDonaldThe Ralphs Foundation

FLAME ($5,000-9,999)AnonymousBruce Bolkin & DeAnn HelineDeloitteThe Downey-Short FoundationPatty & Billy GardellGrace Helen Spearman

Charitable FoundationJohn Charles & Eden Kokoska

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowJordan & Sandra LabyCoco LeighMuskin Family FoundationEllice Sperber & Dale Van FossenRichard & Shawn SperberThe Uplands FoundationWells Fargo

GLOW ($1,000-4,999)Judd ApatowDianne BurnettCalabasas Country ClubCalifornia Bank & TrustCancer Treatment Centers

of AmericaMark & Melanie CarnessaleChurch of Religious ScienceFrancine & Herb Cooper

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowCPEhrJessica & Tim DavisClaudia DeCeaDukes Wealth Management Ervin, Cohen & Jessup LLPV. Donnovan Field

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowChad & Jennifer FitzgeraldFleishhacker FoundationForest LawnPatrick Fraioli

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrowGalpin MotorsJanet Garrison & Michael

Swanson

3Would you like to help weSPARK shine? Interested in donating to weSPARK or becoming a Torchbearer?

Thank You to our generous supporters in 2014! We are grateful to have so many wonderful donors willing to contribute to weSPARK. You enable us to offer innovative and life-enhancing services every year, and its thanks to you that we can offer them all free of charge.

Torchbearersthe

living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrow

denotes a donor who is also a Torchbearer, which means they are big-hearted individuals who commit to giving an annually recurring gift of $250 or more to weSPARK.

This list includes all supporters who gave $100 and up from 2/1/2014 through 1/31/2015. A complete list of donors is available at weSPARK.org

4 To make a tax deductible donation, return the enclosed envelope or visit weSPARK.org/donate!

Steven ButcherAllison Caine Mark CameronRonald Cammarata Carmela Camp Gary CampbellRick & Ria CapotostaGina & Paul CarlosKaeli CarrLaura & Thomas CasserlyBob CavinBrenda CecilCenter for Spiritual LivingChaminade College PreparatoryBarry Charles Patrick CharrinKaren ChenJoel D. CheresnickEli & Arlene ChernowRandy Chow Larry CloughJoseph CohenMartin R. CohenMichael W. ConnerPeter S. ContiSheila CooperClaire CottrellDavid & Jackie CowgillJosh CoxRaymond & Anaflor DaguiarPeter DamonRichard DarnellKim De Shazo-WilkinsonTeri DeanLisa David Dean Andrea & Robert DeckerTony DenisonGene DenosDonald J. DiamondRuss Diamond Allan DietrichNancy Dietzen Mike & Diana Dingman Bruce Dolin Ann M. DotyPatricia Dozen Peter Diaz & Bree Dulay Linda M. DunnAndre EllingsonPhilip S. EnglanderKolja ErmanMaureen Estes Rigo EstradaLena EvansSusan Ezell Bobbie FaginGeorge J. FedynaToni Ferrara

Daniel Fierro Jan & Mike FinerRichard Finney Sharyn Fitzgerald Tony FormanThomas F. FouladiThomas FoxLinda Freeman Evelyn FrenkelMarc & Angela FriedmanSara & Richard GagliardiMarshall GattenJo-Ann GeffenSteve GelderLudmila GennTerrie Gerber Joseph GiebSteven GinsburgJuliana GondekGale GordonJerry & Marian GouldNiki Green Adam Gregor David Grow Michelle Gruber Ingemar Gustafson Joan Hahn Laura & Gordon HallJill HarrisElizabeth HartiganMarlene M. HatcherCathy Lind Hayes Nancy HayesElizabeth Heaney Scott HessJennifer HesseMike HoffSandra HollingsworthThe Home FrontBarbara HubbardCarlos HurtadoViet HuynhJeannine Imperiale Madelyn Cain IngleseBogdan Iofciulescu Michael IronsideMark J. IslamDaniele & David JackelGreg JacksonRoman JariabekRichard JensenThomas JonesVincent JonesAnthony & Katherine Kallal Kristi KaneRichard KaplanSteve Kaplan Patty & Ronald Katzman

Linda KaufmanDonna KentAra KhajikLena KirakosianCarmela Klein Thomas Klimek Doug KolbGeoffrey KorsKrave DevelopmentAlbert LaraBruce Lazarus Dena LevySusan LevyStuart LewisKaren & Jon Lopez Andrea LorchMisha LouyJill LowyShelley Lozdon Alexander F. MadjeskiKelly MannersStacy ManzanetJeff & Lynne MarkusJames MarquezPaula Marsden P.J. MarsdenHeather MarshallStephanie MarshallJames MartinGabriel & Michelle Martinez Susan A. Masback Miriam MatrangaRita Mazler Brigid McBrideJoseph McCluskeyMaureen McLaughlinDavid MeinsteinRobert & Melissa Meltzer Jeff MenellElizabeth MercerMetro Retrofitting, Inc.Metropolitan Culinary ServicesFrank Michaelis Daniel A. Miller Yvonne MillerSigute Miller Cathy MoineSamuel MongerErick MontanoGary MossLaura MousessianTina MoyMargie Mullen David MurrayJoel MurrayRitwan MursalimNAMI San Fernando ValleyMichael Naples

Mark NeffDonald Nelson Carol Selimah Nemoy Elisabeth Neubauer Martin NeumannJohn J. NicholsonNick & Hiroko Nolan Evan O’MearaRon O’NealStuart D. Pankin Robert M. PattersonJo PessinJim & Vickee Petersen Margaret PhelpsJohn PhillipsBernie & Judy Pike Nick PiperSteve PorcaroMax PortSusan E. Prestine Philip ProctorSara RaeDavid RailsbackJennifer Reed-LaskawyEdward ReffkinLeslie ReidSteven RenardMarie RitzLinda RobertsNancy N. RobertsonDeborah RobinsonCathy Rogers Alan M. Rosen Nancy RubinLarry Rudolph & Alex SchwartzSuzanne & Milton Russikoff Russell SacksAnna Maria Sail Victor SalantNikki L. Schenck Maggie SchmidtJeff SchimmelLorraine SchranerLisa SchwayJodye SelcoNick ShandraLauren ShermanThomas ShiovitzBehzad ShiraziLaura ShockleyBill SilicManny & Rose Silkiss Bari Lee Silver

Kerry & Jed Silverstrom Randi SimenhoffJeanne W. SimmesJudith Skelton Nancy M. Skiles Deborah N. SmithJami SnyderDarryl SobelmanAlan & Margery SpechtFlorian Stadler Rob Stark Tony StevenJoanne Louise StevensSun Lighting ServicesJames SutoriusJason SwansonTimothy TakataRebecca ThomasTeresa ThomeKen H. TiptonNicolette TomeuTower Cancer Research

FoundationCarolyn J. Towle Heather C. Trojan Bea TrujilloCody Tucker Ron Ulstad Yvette Van den Berg Tanis Van Kirk-Lange Katy VeadovJoel VendetteWilliam VerostekStacy Vierheilig-Fraser Toby Waldorf Thomas C. WalkerFern & Jason Wallach Timothy Waters Alexis WeinerJames WeldenKevin E. West Angela Rose WhiteFran Wild Winning Life WellnessIrwin WoldmanJason WolkDebra WooleryIan F. WoolfThomas WyattMark Wyrick Keone Young Ruth ZieglerLynn & Roger Zino

5To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit weSPARK.org/donate – Thank you!

“PLATICAS FAMILIARES” GRATUITAS

¿Usted o un ser querido tiene cáncer? ¿Usted o alguien cercano ha sido afectado por cáncer?

Cancer Support Center Usted no está solo, venga y hable con otras familias en la comunidad hispana que también están pasando por lo mismo.

Venga con preguntas. | Obtenga recursos.Pacientes con cáncer, miembros de la familia, y cuidadores. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

Horario: Cada Viernes a las 11:00 a.m.

Si usted está interesado o gusta más información por favor comuníquese con Susana Stewart, Trabajadora Social o Elaine Ruiz, Coordinadora de Ayuda Comunitaria al número (818) 906-3022

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.

Call Carlin at

(818) 906-3022

weSPARK is dedicated to growing and supporting our vital services in the community. Three-quarters of our expenses went directly to programs in 2014, and we are committed to increasing that percentage to 85%. This focus on programming ensures that we can provide as many opportunities as possible for those aff ected by cancer to enrich their minds, bodies, and spirits.

weSPARK is the benefi ciary of a few wonderful grants, and our fabulous and fun events make up a minor portion of our income, but, as you can see, weSPARK really would not be where we are today without the generous ongoing support of our donors. It’s becauseof you that our doors are open and we served over2,000 adults and children who needed us in 2014.Thanks to your donations, weSPARK can expand, grow, and thrive. We can continue to off er a diverse rangeof services that are vital to help those impacted by cancer during one of the most diffi cult, life-altering experiences anyone can go through. weSPARK is there for those who need us, but YOU, our supporters, are there for weSPARK. Thank you!

Donations

Grants

Events 25%

25%

72%

3%

Fundraising & Events

75%

Financial Year in Review

For Every Dollar You Donate:• 75¢ goes to fund all of our programs• 15¢ covers fundraising costs• 10¢ covers management and general expenses

And we are committed to increasing the program allotment to 85%

10%15%Administrative

Programs

2014-2015 FISCAL YEAR-END INCOME

ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES

Fiscal Year ended 1/31/2015

13520 Ventura Blvd.Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

weSPARK Tax-Deductible ID: 95-4758462

.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLOS ANGELES, CAPERMIT NO. 1494

The Jason Alexander Texas Hold ‘em

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE! Contact Marlene at marlene@wespark.org or 818-906-3022

Proceeds to benefi t weSPARK Cancer Support Center @weSPARKsupport facebook.com/wesparkcancersupportcenter

You’re Invited to...

POKER TOURNAMENT

Cash prize pool of $7,500 for the top three fi nishers! Great prizes for the top 10!

FOUR-OF-A-KIND SPONSORS: • Bolkin-Heline Family • James A. Morris

FULL HOUSE SPONSOR: • Anita Rich

ADDITIONAL SPONSOR:

To Sponsor or Buy Your Tickets, go to

wespark.org/poker

FLUSH SPONSORS: • Paradigm Talent Agency• Maryann & Matt Siegel• Dukes Wealth Management

MARCH 29, 2015• Registration & Poker Instruction begin at 11:30• Tournament begins at 1 PMSportsmen’s Lodge 12825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604$100 Buy-in • Unlimited Re-buys!