Stories of Community and Hope
We’re excited to share 35 stories throughout the year from our community of participants, donors and volunteers. It all began 35 years ago because of a dedicated group of people who came together to help people with cancer thrive. Now, 35 years later, Wellness House has served more than 50,000 individuals. Check back throughout the year for stories from the past and present that celebrate our community.
Stories
A Shared Vision
Wellness House was built not only with love and hope, but also with contributions of material, labor, and talent from 300 contractors and suppliers and 1,200 technicians. These very special people combined their talents to produce a complete $2 million facility at no cost to Wellness House.
Read A Shared Vision
My Second Home
“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022, I told myself that I was strong and could handle this on my own. But after completing my treatment in May, I found myself caught in a roller coaster of emotions. The fear, the loneliness—despite being surrounded by my incredible family and friends—was overwhelming.”
Read My Second Home
Unforseen Journey
“It was a beautiful fall day when I had my annual mammogram, but then I received the call that the results didn’t go as planned. I needed to have a biopsy and received my breast cancer diagnosis in late November 2017. After a second opinion and a multitude of tests, I had a lumpectomy in January 2018 followed by chemo and radiation.”
One Day at a Time
“I came to Wellness House as soon as I was first diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017 by joining Michael William’s general cancer support group. I was a little scared about what I’d encounter there because everyone I knew who had cancer, had died. Here, people were thriving!”
Read One Day at a Time
Lorraine Wolfe – A Legacy of Giving
When people come to Wellness House in search of support and skills to cope with cancer, they find a doorway to hope that is made possible by many donors both past and present. That hope is made possible thanks to scores of volunteers who enable Wellness House to encourage, educate and emotionally support people working to overcome the effects of cancer in their lives.
Making Waves
“I attended a number of programs, a Valentine dinner, a beauty class, nutrition classes and an intro to forest bathing. The most impactful was Michael Williams led Meaning Centered Psychotherapy, where I boldly announced that I wanted to go surfing.
A Date with Wellness House
After my breast cancer surgery in Jan. of 2021, I really wanted to reach out to others who were in my similar situation. I was told about the Wellness House through Elmhurst Hospital. I was seeking support as i navigated my new normal.
Looking Good and Feeling Better
People know that Wellness House is a blessing for participants, but I don’t think people know how much of a blessing it is for those of us who volunteer here,” Gayle Perzek commented while reflecting on her history of volunteering at Wellness House.
Strength and Healing after Treatment
Wellness House played a vital role in my journey through breast cancer, offering support, strength, and community when I needed it most. I’ve had countless meaningful experiences with the dedicated instructors, and several programs deeply resonated with me—especially the cooking classes, walk and brunch events, and informative discussions on CBD and acupuncture.
The Merchandisers
Wellness House stands strong and provides no cost support for those affected by cancer because of the incredible persistence and long-time dedication of The Courtyard merchandisers, Nancy Keenan, Sheila Botti and Kathy Ryan.
A Game Changer
In 2016 I began my journey being diagnosed with a rare form of gynecological cancer that only 2 in a million get. I was told about the Wellness house by my oncologist and decided to give it a try.
My first time visiting the Wellness House was to pick out a free wig. I had no idea how deeply this place would impact me.
The Dreamers
Cheri Jones
When we look at today’s Wellness House, it can be hard to imagine that 35 years ago, the organization did not exist except in a small group of community members’ imaginations. Those early dreamers believed profoundly in the need for this resource. They were not sure, however, that such an organization could ever be successfully created and sustained.
You’ll Feel Better Inside Bob Akers and Tim O’Day
All non-profits must maintain laser focus on excellent stewardship of donor dollars. Similarly, board members must bring forth resources to effectively fulfill the organization’s mission. In the end, what matters most to Wellness House is that talented, generous, passionate individuals get “bitten by the Wellness House bug” and jump in to do what they can in the service of people affected by cancer. This is exactly what happened to Bob Akers and Tim O’Day in the summer of 2009.
A Place for Others
Diane Hruby was one of the people who had a shared vision for the creation of Wellness House. In the late 1980’s, Diane thought that surviving her ovarian cancer would be impossible. Then a friend and long-time cancer survivor, Stella Pauls, paid Diane a visit.
Sitting at her hospital bed, Stella talked Diane into facing the challenges of cancer and living to enjoy her two beautiful children. Diane had gone on to overcome cancer and savor the teenagers her children have grown to be.
Elevated
Wellness House offered me so much more than exercise classes, cooking classes, support groups, and fun events. Through all of those offerings are each more amazing than the next.
Knowledge to Fight Cancer
I attended the Wellness House Multiple Myeloma support group beginning in 2006 after my husband’s diagnosis. I had never heard of MM, and it seemed unbelievable that there was a support group right in my neighborhood – we lived in Oak Brook. Felt like divine intervention.
Help When I Needed it Most
I attended groups at Wellness House from 2012-2014 with others who were going through breast cancer treatments at different stages of their treatment. I was able to attend the make-up session which was so helpful as I lost all my facial hair.
Evidence-Based Programs from 1990 and Beyond
In 1990, the Chicago Tribune reported on a groundbreaking study from UCLA showing that cancer patients who participated in structured support groups experienced more than emotional relief—they demonstrated measurable improvements in immune function and quality of life.
My Place of Comfort
“I remember it as if it were yesterday. Just three weeks after Kevin’s well-baby checkup, he began complaining of pain in his foot. At first, it only happened at night, but soon the frequency increased, and Kevin started having trouble climbing the stairs.
Attitude of Gratitude
Betty Lofton has always practiced gratitude, even before her journey with cancer. Her journey began in November 2019 after a routine mammogram led to Betty’s diagnosis with breast cancer. “I was getting a lot of information from my surgeon and oncologist who believed my cancer was estrogen-driven,” says Betty.
Inspiration, Friendships and Knowledge
In June 2013, Haruko received shocking news. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 Estrogen Positive Breast Cancer. After the initial shock, Haruko underwent a single mastectomy and chemotherapy. She learned about the programs at Wellness House, attended a film screening about breast cancer, and later joined the Rush-Oak Park Breast Cancer Group.
Making it Through Together
“My children were 5 and 8 yrs old when I was diagnosed with cancer. They asked me “Are you going to die now Mommy”?
“I read about the Wellness House in our local Hinsdale weekly newspaper. I was hopeful my children and I could navigate this disease better there than by ourselves. My son was in kindergarten, and my daughter was in third grade. It was a positive experience for us all.
Frank Wills: A Practice of Healing
Among the many individuals whose dedication helped shape Wellness House is Frank Wills, a beloved volunteer whose impact continues to be felt long after his passing.
Frank arrived at Wellness House in 1992, just as our newly built home opened its doors. From the very beginning, he brought not only a unique skill set, but also a deep sense of ownership and belonging. Passionate about the healing power of Qi Gong,
What I Was Looking For
As the baby of her family, Maria Villafuerte is accustomed to being cared for and protected by her two older sisters. But when it came to facing her life post-cancer, Maria found she needed more.
“I found myself very lonely,” said Maria, whose sisters saw her through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. “I needed to be around people who knew what I was going through.”
A Warm Welcome For All
At the front desk of Wellness House, Josette Cray has answered phones, greets visitors, and has offered a smile that makes everyone feel at home. For Josette, volunteering isn’t just about logistics; it’s about connection. “You’re the first person a participant sees when they walk in the door,” she says. “I like being the person who makes them feel welcome.”
Jim McMahon: A Legacy of Leadership and Commitment
Throughout the history of Wellness House, a few extraordinary leaders have left a lasting imprint on the organization’s growth and direction. Jim McMahon is one of those individuals—an inspiring leader whose vision, dedication, and steady hand helped Wellness House flourish during its formative years.
Finding Strength Through Every Season
Jackie’s journey with cancer began in 2021 with a diagnosis that shook her world—but not her spirit. “At first, I was shocked. But something in me said, ‘You have to do this. Be strong,’” she recalls. From her home on the South Side of Chicago, Jackie faced each stage of her breast cancer treatment with a quiet determination, fueled by her faith, her family, and the love of her husband, Todd—and their 12-year-old rescue dog, Bella.
A Place Like No Other
At Wellness House, hope is not a distant promise. It is something you feel the moment you walk through the door. For Johnny, navigating life with cancer in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, that moment came when he least expected it and exactly when he needed it most.
The Heart Behind the Scenes
As we celebrate 35 years of hope at Wellness House, we are honored to shine a light on the extraordinary people who make this community what it is. Few embody that spirit more deeply than Pat Janik—a longtime volunteer whose quiet, steady presence has helped thousands of participants feel supported the moment they walk through our doors.
Doing This Together
People often speak of the things that cancer takes away. Janice Little, Yolanda Johnson and Kendall Perry are living proof of what it can provide.
The three were attending a showcase at Wellness House’s location in University of Illinois at Chicago’s Mile Square Health Center when they discovered Janice had been friends with Yolanda’s sister, who died from Covid while being treated for multiple myeloma.
For the Children
When Karen walks through the doors of Wellness House, she’s not thinking about herself. She’s thinking about her daughter, Avery, and her son, Benjamin—about giving them something strong to stand on while everything else in life feels uncertain.
A Story of Faith, Family and Friends
When Maria was diagnosed with kidney cancer, followed by metastasis to her lungs, the news felt heavy but not unfamiliar. She had seen cancer before: in her mother, her sister, and her first husband. Yet, with her diagnosis, Maria chose to see not an ending, but a new chapter in her life’s story.
You Are Not Alone
For 35 years, Wellness House has stood as a leader in supportive oncology—providing thousands of people with free programs that address the emotional, physical, and social challenges of cancer. At the heart of this work are staff members like Michael Williams, Psy.D., whose dedication and expertise help transform our mission into meaningful, everyday experiences for participants.
A Legacy of Hope Across Generations
For more than three decades, the Haarlow family name has been woven into the story of Wellness House. Their involvement began before our doors officially opened—around kitchen tables and early planning conversations with founders like Dorothy Ernest. What started with Blair and Lauren’s parents offering their support soon became a family tradition that shaped the future of Wellness House.
35 Years of Hope: A Reflection from Our CEO,
Lisa Kolavennu
As we mark our 35th anniversary, I find myself reflecting not just on how far Wellness House has come, but on the thousands of people who have walked through our doors seeking connection, understanding, and support. Since 1990, more than 52,000 individuals and families have participated in our programs, each bringing their own story and finding their own path forward.
Wellness House was founded on a simple but powerful belief: that caring for the emotional and social well-being of people affected by cancer is just as vital as treating the disease itself. In our early years, that belief came to life through the first support groups, movement classes, and family programs that filled the rooms of what we lovingly call the Home of Hope. By 2004, more than 15,000 people had already been served, and it was clear that this kind of care was deeply needed.
Read 35 Years of Hope
Our Mission
Wellness House envisions a community where all people affected by cancer thrive. Offered at no cost and as a complement to medical treatment, our programs educate, support, and empower participants so they will improve their physical and emotional well-being.
Our Values
In all of our interactions, we, the staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers of Wellness House, are true to our values and treat all who pass through our doors with respect and dignity. We commit to serving the needs of our participants to the best of our ability. We provide high-quality services honoring the trust placed in us by our stakeholders to meet the needs of all people affected by cancer.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are critical to the Wellness House mission, vision, and strategic goal to increase access to supportive oncology care so everyone impacted by cancer can benefit from our free, evidence-based supportive oncology programs.
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