The Wellness Community salutes its contributors

Legions of volunteers have made The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura and our free programs of support, education and hope a reality since we first opened our doors 16 years ago.

The "Celebration of Life" included several events in commemoration of national Cancer Survivors Day, including the Celebration of Life 16th anniversary gala. Thanks to the creativity and tireless efforts of our contributors, this year's event netted $130,000, making it the most successful gala in TWC's history.

We're grateful to have the energy and support of Redonna Carpenter our gala chair and past chair of The Wellness Community board of directors, along with gala committee members: Cathy Gerrard, Ginny Kreuzberger, Daphne Laraneta, Robin Martino, Nora Tompkins, Starlet Vinci, Harriet Wasserman, Judie Williams and a cadre of dedicated volunteers.

We extend our warmest appreciation to master of ceremonies KCAL 9's Rick Chambers and celebrity guest Sheena Easton.

Special commendation goes to our event sponsors and vendors, whose generosity made this event such a milestone for TWC: Event sponsor Dole Foods; Platinum sponsors: Amgen Oncology, Baxter, and Eva and Glenn Dubin; Gold sponsor: First Data Independent Sales; Silver sponsors: Gene Haas Foundation and the Cassar Family; Bronze sponsors: Bank of America, Pacific Western Bank, Blue Cross of California, Contract Employment Management and Macerich/The Oaks mall; Copper sponsors: the city of Thousand Oaks, Greenberg & Bass, and Radiation and Oncology Centers. Vendors: Wayne Foster Entertainment, Kiwanis of Thousand Oaks and the National Charity League.

This year's celebration awards honored the ongoing contributions of outstanding community members in four categories:

Life: The Holiday Homes Tour founding committee: Bobbie Anderson, Joyce Cripe, Pat Croner, Jean FitzPatrick, Diana Malmquist, Nancy McIsaac, Patricia Van Evera and Judie Williams

Hope: Maggie Mellor

Excellence: Roy Baynes, MD, PhD, director and vice president, Amgen

Philanthropy: Rick Harwood, Taft Electric Co.; Tony Morelli, TriCounties district of the Associated General Contractors of California and Ruric Nye, Nye & Nelson, Inc.

Thanks to our contributors, we can ensure that everyone in our community who has been touched by cancer has access to programs that provide them support, education and hope. Suzanne Drace, president The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura