Wellness House in the News

As CEO of Wellness House in Hinsdale, the mission to surround people affected by cancer with as much care and support as possible is personal for Lisa Kolavennu. When her father was diagnosed with cancer, it influenced her to take her first job at Wellness House almost 20 years ago. It “felt like a way I could take action in an otherwise helpless situation,” she recalls. 

Lunchbreak: Crispy Cauliflower Power Tacos and Apple Nachos with Emily Guzman MS RD LDN & Community Oncology Dietitian 

Wellness House set anchor in Hinsdale 35 years ago and has served more than 50,000 people in that time. Its stated mission is to be “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.

Wellness House CEO Lisa Kolavennu joined ABC7 Chicago Tuesday with more information on the event.She talked about Wellness House and her personal connection to it. She also discussed the services it offers to people on their journeys with cancer.

Phyllis Osborne has been participating in the Walk for Wellness House for 10 years – since she first started attending programs following a diagnosis of colon cancer.

“The walk was going on and I just wanted to be part of it,” the 61-year-old said. “It’s still moving.

As a radiation oncologist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Arpi Thukral often struggled to help her cancer patients find psycho-social support, exercise programs and nutrition resources.

“That’s when I first had found out about Wellness House,” she said.

Thukral is serving as co-chair of this year’s Walk for Wellness House on Sunday, May 5. Touring the Hinsdale facility, coordinating the annual fundraising ball and joining the board of directors deepened her connection with the organization over the years. She also participated in her first walk the year after she lost her uncle to leukemia.