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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 wig was one thing, but going thru a class to help with make up ideas to make you feel better when your eyelashes and eyebrows are non existent really makes a difference! I then moved on to support groups and cooking classes along with expressive arts. I am still participating and will continue as long as I can.

    Each time I arrive everyone at the house is so welcoming! You really do feel better inside-inside the house and inside your own body when you attend the programs. I never thought I would go through something like cancer but my whole journey has been impacted in such positive ways partly because of the Wellness House. As someone who has been attending for years now I try and pass on things I’ve learn to the nice people I meet. I have made some friends and enjoy the staff, they all are all top notch! I encourage anyone going thru a cancer diagnosis or being of support to join in when ready. I feel very lucky to have something so special in my neighborhood.


    I wish that the whole country could have something like this for all to use. It’s a game changer!

    Participant – Patti

    Related

    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.

      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. 

        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.