The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura will celebrate 15 years of providing support, education and hope to people fighting cancer on June 9 at the 15th anniversary gala fundraiser at Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks.

The gala will honor Berniece Bennett, Bob Ferber, Richard Jones and Dr. Silvana Martino for their work with The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura.

"These four people have been instrumental in helping people with cancer and have brought hope to countless members of our community," said Suzanne Drace, president.

"Our 15th anniversary celebration is the perfect time to say 'thank you' to everyone who has made our organization what it is today."

Bennett will receive the Celebration of Life Award, presented by Dole Food Company. She currently serves on The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's board of directors and was a founding board member.

The former mayor of Westlake Village continues to work as an advocate for the organization by writing articles and raising funds for the annual Holiday Homes Tour.

Ferber is a cancer survivor who volunteers with The Wellness Community. Using his own experience with cancer and a team of disabled pets, he helps children deal with grief and learn about being different.

He will be recognized with the Celebration of Hope Award, presented by Baxter BioScience.

Jones will be honored with the Celebration of Courage Award, presented by Hewlett Packard.

The senior managing director and chief information officer for Countrywide Financial Corporation is a brain cancer survivor and Art of the Brain, a nonprofit that raises money and awareness for the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program's brain cancer research.

Martino, the recipient of the Celebration of Excellence Award presented by Amgen Corporation, is a nationally-recognized oncologist who specializes in breast cancer treatment and research.

She served on the professional advisory board and the board of directors that helped create The Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura.

The gala will feature the Harry Selvin Big Band, dinner, and live and silent auctions. Proceeds will benefit the organization's free programs.

The event culminates a week of festivities celebrating the organization's 15th anniversary. For more information, call (805) 379-4777. To purchase tickets, visit www.TwcVv.org.