For the last 15 years, Elaine Adams has been volunteering at Wellness House in Hinsdale. On Wednesdays, she works the front desk. On Mondays and Thursdays, she helps women experiencing hair loss from cancer treatment find the right wig. Each fitting is unique: Through trial and error, they experiment with a variety of hair colors and styles to ensure each client feels physically and mentally comfortable with their selection.
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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.
“When I first heard about Wellness House, I didn’t take the time to really look through the materials,” Johnny admits. “I thought, ‘I’ve got too much going on to be going to some program.’” But the nurses at his hospital kept mentioning it, particularly one young woman who wouldn’t give up on him.
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.
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.