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Home » Light the Way’ for Wellness House and the year ahead – The Hinsdalean

Light the Way’ for Wellness House and the year ahead – The Hinsdalean

    Tall floral centerpiece with green foliage and hanging glass ornaments on a table in an elegantly decorated venue with blurred lights in the background.

    Welcome back, Hinsdale! Whether summer had you at the beach, the lake, the mountains, or right here at Uniquely Thursdays, I hope you all had a nice, relaxing break from the everyday pace of our village. With schools all being back as of late last week and Labor Day being as late as it possibly could be, this week feels like we hit the accelerator.

    I suspect that there are those in our midst who did not luxuriate in La Dolce Vita this summer, but rather went full-steam-ahead, planning the events that will make up the talk of the town this year. When it comes to service, Hinsdale doesn’t take any time off, and the first order of business is one of the biggest events of the year.

    This year, the Wellness Ball on Saturday, Oct. 24, kicks off the year in high style at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. The theme, “Light the Way,” reflects the guiding role that Wellness House plays in helping people navigate the emotional, physical and practical challenges of cancer. 

    Read more in The Hinsdalean

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    Finding Hope Again – Light the Way Wellness House Ball

      For Jennifer Carmody Haunty and Jake Haunty, Wellness House represents far more than a place. It represents connection, community and the reminder that no one has to face cancer alone.Although their paths would eventually intersect, each first experienced cancer through profound personal loss.

      Jennifer’s journey began in June 2012 when her husband, Matt, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 38. At the time, the couple had three young children, with a fourth on the way. After a year in remission, the family moved to Hinsdale in July 2013. One year later, Matt’s cancer returned, and he passed away while preparing for a stem-cell transplant.

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      In This Together – Light the Way Wellness House Ball

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        Yet, the journeys for those living with cancer and those who love them are often achingly similar. At first, it feels isolating. Unfair. There are good days and bad days, some more hopeful than others. Without warning, Plan A can turn into Plan B, and then C. No dates can be set other than your next treatment. And as this goes on, weeks turning into months and months turning into years, the emotional toll can be just as impactful as the disease itself.

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        Ask an expert – CRISTINA O’DONOGHUE, SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST

          How has breast cancer treatment improved?
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