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.
Diane Hruby learned firsthand what it meant to have the emotional support of friends and the importance of positive thinking-skills and support to cope with cancer were critical to her survival. From this experience, Diane set out with her friends on a mission to create a place where others with cancer might find this same support. This group of friends became known as the Wellness Planning Commission.
As a member of the planning commission, Diane came in contact with Gilda Radner and Howard Benjamin (from the Wellness Community in Santa Monica, California) to set the wheels in motion for the creation of Wellness House. To establish a financial base to open a wellness organization in Hinsdale. Diane and her friends spent over two years raising funds. Through a series of events, including benefits in partnership with Chicago’s Second City, the beginnings of Wellness House were secured.
Diane Hruby was a moving force behind the success of Wellness House. Because of Diane and so many other friends like her, thousands of people are overcoming the effects of cancer.
