Wespark WINTER Newsletter 2014.Indd

CARING EDUCATION HEALING LAUGHS SHARING WHOLENESS SPIRIT FRIENDSHIP UNDERSTANDING HOPE LIVING GROWTH STRENGTH CANCER SUPPORT Cancer Support Center weSPARK CENTER WINTER 2014 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 Words from weSPARK In 2013, with a lot of hard work and the Many individuals in our community help support of our community, weSPARK was spread awareness about our organization, able to achieve milestones and continue to dedicate themselves to putting on small grow. This upcoming year, weSPARK will fundraisers in our name, and generously expand our reach and continue to advance give of their free time to volunteer. These towards a sustainable future. people can never be thanked enough and truly embody what weSPARK stands for. It I would like to graciously thank our generous really takes a community, a family of caring donors and the many people who support individuals, to make a diff erence. Thank you, our fundraising eff orts. The Jason Alexander thank you, thank you! Together let’s make Poker Tournament, the 5th Annual Run Walk, 2014 the best year yet! the Annual Variety Show and the Calabasas Inside... Golf Tournament were all sold out events. I must take a moment to acknowledge the Words from weSPARK...... 1 hard work and commitment of our Board of Nancy Allen, Directors. Executive Director Looking Forward...... 1

That’s Entertainment....2

Annual Donor Report ...... 3

weSPARK’s 5th Annual Run/Walk Looking Forward ...... 5 In 2014, weSPARK’s primary goal is to increase our reach in to the community. We will continue to create meaningful partnerships with organizations and expand our presence in the virtual and SAVE THE DATE: social media community through Facebook, You Tube, Instagram, The Jason Twitter, email, and our own website, app and blog. Alexander Texas Hold’em Poker I am thrilled to announce two major projects launching in Tournament...... 6 2014. The fi rst is an online community where patients and caregivers can receive our services remotely. The second is off ering programs to Spanish speaking OUR MISSION patients, their families and friends. These projects will weSPARK is dedicated allow us to reach a larger underserved population by to enhancing the quality breaking down language and geographical barriers. of life for cancer patients, their families, and friends. Thank you to our staff , board members and weSPARK provides, free of supporters for making this possible. You keep the charge, multiple services spark alive at weSPARK! designed to heal the mind, body and spirit of all those whose lives have been aﬀ ected by cancer. Lea Salvatore, MPH 818.906.3022 • www.wespark.org Program Director 2 THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!

A night of fun and © laughter was had by all Michael Schwartz 2013 who joined us for Comedy Alonzo Bodden, Ray Romano & Billy Gardell Alonzo Bodden, Nancy Allen & Steven Weber and Cabaret on September 19th! The sold-out show was hosted by comedian and friend of weSPARK, Alonzo Bodden. The evening’s honorees were actor, Jason Alexander and Dr. Edgar Staren of

Cheryl Hines Cancer Treatment Centers of America. We were thrilled to showcase the Valerie Perri, Steven Weber, Jennifer Leigh Warren, Lindsey Alley talents of Ray Romano, Billy Gardell and Cheryl Hines, to name a few. Many thanks to Charlene Sperber, our Producer/ Director Barbara Epstein, our generous sponsors and those of you who attended; it was quite a memorable evening. Dr. Donald Braun & Dr. Edgar D. Staren Photographs provided by: Michael Schwartz, David Palmer, and Ron Eisenberg Barbara Epstein, Charlene Sperber & Nancy Allen

YOU keep the spark alive We invite you at weSPARK... Look Good...Feel Better to visit our website the Join us at weSPARK for a night of beauty & fun, plus to view all tributes. Torchbearers a make-up kit provided by living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrow e Torchbearers is for big-hearted individuals who wish the American Cancer Society. Thank you for your support. to give an annually recurring gi to weSPARK Cancer Support Center for annually recurring needs. We meet on the 2nd Space is limited, must call to sign-up. www.wespark.org Please become a Torchbearer and help support weSPARK! Wednesday of each month Call Alexandra at Visit www.wespark.org to join today. in Sherman Oaks. (818) 906-3022

Matt Epstein & Jane Kaplan Cameron Hurtado Cheryl & Donald Fair Richard Leonard the V. Donnovan Field Laurie Linvill Sharyn Fitzgerald Gary Macdonald Torchbearers Bruce & Amber Gendein Michael Nixen living in wholeness...building hope for tomorrow Sam Gores Marc Nover John & Missy Halperin Aaron Paley The Torchbearers is for Ken & Arlene Hutcheson Anita Pointer big-hearted individuals who Barry & Joanne Jacobs Leslie & Len Reid wish to give an annually Michael & Hillary Kanigher Michael Schlenker Sherri Kent Maggie Schmidt recurring gift to weSPARK David Kipper Jodye Selco Cancer Support Center for Chuck & Eden Kokoska Doris & Michael Sherman annually recurring needs. Zorina Kroop Spencer Shiff man Anton Maillie & Mari Fuentes Sylvia Silver weSPARK is a unique and Susan & Sheldon Malchicoff Arnold Sisk nurturing place that off ers Gabriel & Teresa Marquez Patrick Sullivan David Oburg Francine Tolkin Cooper FREE Support Groups, Derek Perrin Gary Tungate Programs and Classes of a Barclay & Susan Perry Liliana Volkart therapeutic and holistic nature Jane Pitluck Judy Wieder & Suzanne Buirgy Melvin & Beverly Rosenthal Paula Warner to cancer patients, their Wayne Scott Wickham Zimmerman families and friends. Matthew & Maryann Siegel Holland Taylor the IGNITe level $250 - $499 weSPARK wishes to thank all Lawrence Taylor Olga Aldama of our generous Torchbearers! Arthur Toretzky Gary & Christina Alwood Edward Astrin & Karen Finch the level $500-$999 SpArK David Azulay Martha & Larry Ball Jay & Stacy Balibrea the bLAZe level $10,000 and up Sandy & Michael Bernstein David Bickel Tom & Rita Hanks Michael Bertram Karla Butler Charlene Sperber Janet Blake & Brian Ray Hodge Jon Davison & Sarah Cruikshank Maxine Brauer Edward De Stefan the FLAMe level $5,000-$9,999 Jules Buenabenta Jeff rey Berman Luanne Burgoyne Isabelle Bral Bruce Bolkin & DeAnn Heline Debbie & Jim Burrows Cerra Buckholz Jessica Davis Pamela Carleton Ronald Cammarata Maurice Lamarche Herb & Francine Cooper Ericson Core Ellice Sperber & Dale Van Fossen Suzi Dietz Jeff Dalla Betta Richard & Shawn Sperber Victoria Dummer Paul Dallenbach Conchata Ferrell Leigh Datzker t he GLOW level $1,000-$4,999 Roni Fischer Scott Davis Nancy Allen Patrick Fraioli Steven Day Eileen Benwitt Frank Galassi Ronald Dierkes Ken & Karen Blancato Carol Gaspar & Family Stephen Edwards Cathy Cressy Eddie Goldstone Charlie Federspiel Claudia DeCea Paul & Suzanne Green Patricia Fermin Russ Diamond Ingemar Gustafson William Finestone Elaine & Bill Donley Vieve Haag Chad & Jennifer Fitzgerald Kelly Duke Bob Hirsch Isoline Fitzgerald

Leonard Garner Nancy Smith Sandy Ginsburg Robert & Nancy Smith Contributors & Supporters Robert Goldberg Ken Spero Alliant Insurance Services, Inc. Jann Goldsby Irwin & Lorri Spiegel Backyard Productions Carrie & Jack Goodchild Florian Stadler Benefits Exchange Alliance Steven Goodman Jeffrey Stern Bosley & Associates Noreen Graham Adam Stines Cal Fire Daniel Grover James Sutorius Calabasas Country Club Manvel Gyuloglyan Terence Sweeney California Bank & Trust Cary Hara Albert Sweet California Rent A Car Bruce Hecker Elisa Sweigart Cancer Treatment Centers of Miki Herman Yvonne & Steven Thomson America Jay Hieatt Suzanne Todd & Doug Aaroniokoski CBS Television Network Gretchen Hiegel Michael Topp & Rena Shpegel Credit Suisse Securities Daniel Hom Eric Treml Deloitte Jeannine Imperiale Bill & Sheryl Tucker Fiserv Premier Outsourcing, Wendy & Michael James Hal Tudisco & Richard Kopelle Western Region Barbara Jampel Carrie Velasco Ford Motor Company Robin Johnson Collin Watts Forest Lawn Taneka Johnson Jerry Weeks Gendler & Kelly Michael Juceam Maria Weidmann Green Hasson & Janks Judy Kain Wilfred Weinstein Hollywood Poker Steve Kennedy Barbara Weisbrod Keyes Automotive Group Trice Koopman Joe Wengert La Frite Food Truck Jay & Wilma Kubrin Steve & Cynthia White Mon Atelier Brenda & Jack Kuznitsky Taylor White New Mill Capital, LLC Lori & Larry Lapides Chad Wilson Occidental Entertainment Group Todd Locicero William Witherington Holding, Inc. Rachel Marquez & Family Michael Wolf & Laurie Allen Otto Nemenz International Dorothy Mathious & Jenna Mathioudakis Elliott & Judy Wolfe Paradigm Talent Agency Brigid McBride Steven Wolfe Poker Royalty Inc. Joanie & Howard Mees Varooge Yerganian Rain Bird Phil & Angie Mramor Ruth Ziegler RH Factor Sharma Nagle Sports Authority Sam Orender FOUNDATIONS SRG Jo Pessin & Family Aaroe Associates Charitable Foundation Sun Lighting Services, Inc. Steven Piorkowski Ahmanson Foundation The Rich Group Marty Pompadur Donald T. Sterling Charitable Foundation Toro Company Ciarra Pringle Downey-Short Foundation UBS Financial Services Jan Quinn-Jutras & Roger Jutras Fleishhacker Foundation US Bank Amy Reinhard Gale Family Foundation ValleyCrest Companies Anita Rich Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Wavefront Technology Joy Rotblatt & Warren Garfield Foundation Weddington Street Productions Howard Rowen Hollywood Church of Religious Weinstock Manion Alma & Nat Rubinfeld Science Foundation Wells Fargo Rochelle & Tadd Russikoff Jewish Community Foundation Anne Schulhof Lewis Greenwood Foundation Donald Schwartz Muskin Family Foundation You can find a complete list Tony Scott Sperber Community Property Trust of donors from 2013 on our Annette Shapiro Robert & Leslie Zemeckis, The website: www.wespark.org Maybin Sherman Zemeckis Charitable Foundation

5 THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! weSPARK’s 5th Annual Run/Walk

Warming-up before the race

N weWA U L eR K It was a cold morning, as hundreds of participants w piled off the shuttles onto the backlot expo area at weSPARK’s The cobblestone path of New York Street Cancer Support Center 5th Annual Run Walk. The sun came out as the horn blew, signaling the beginning of the race. The course was jam packed with popular characters and all-time favorite movie sets. We had some of LA’s most famous food trucks, including Perk Me Up, La Frite Express, Corn Heaven, Steel City Sandwich and Rockberry for the hungry participants after they crossed the finish line. The event was a huge success for weSPARK and we raised enough to continue offering our free services to hundreds of cancer patients and their families. Lea Thompson motivates the crowd

And they’re off! Nancy Allen and Michelle Stafford “Doc” and “Jennifer”, Claudia Wells, with the original Delorean.

weSPARK presents... Mah Jongg is an ancient tile game that can serve as a great way to improve memory and have fun! Beginners welcome. Come join us and learn how to play! your online community Mondays at 11:00am-3:00pm 13520 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks for patients, caregivers, at weSPARK Cancer Support Center (818) 906-3022 • www.weSPARK.org and supporters.

Come visit our website at www.wespark.org Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID PRINT & MAIL 4U

Cancer Support Center

13520 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

weSPARK Tax-Deductible ID: 95-4758462

The Jason Alexander Texas Hold ‘em POKER TOURNAMENT The Beverly Garland Garland Ballroom, 4222 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91602

Proceeds to benefi t weSPARK Cancer Support Center to keep all services free for cancer patients, their families and friends.

SAVE THE DATE | SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2014