It can be defined as an exultation of spirit or quite plainly the joy of everything, but one agency is seeking to turn “joie de vivre” into an everyday philosophy for those living with cancer.
“We all have a need and right for joy in our lives and cancer can’t stop the joy,” said Elaine, a grandmother living with cancer who sought out Hinsdale’s Wellness House to provide support and resources following her lymphoma cancer diagnosis.
Elaine began attending lymphoma support groups at the longtime cancer resource center, The Kay and Mike Birck Home of Hope. She found that it was helpful to meet others who shared the same diagnosis and to learn from them.
“I would say go for the positive environment and caring staff at (Wellness House),” Elaine added. “It will put a smile back on your face, at least part of the time.”
This year’s Wellness House Ball, appropriately titled “Joie de Vivre – Finding Joy While Living With Cancer” will take place Oct. 5 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago from 6 p.m. to midnight.
When event chairs began planning October’s fete, they knew they wanted to select a theme that reflected the overall sentiment of Wellness House. And much like the City of Lights — where the term “joie de vivre” was born — Wellness House provides a welcoming home filled with love and light to its guests daily.
“Everyone’s journey with cancer is different, whether you are battling cancer yourself, you are a survivor, or you are a family member of someone fighting cancer,” said Sarah Richardson, who is chairing the event with her husband, Sam, along with Christine and John Trainer and Anna and Nick Fiascone. “The lights are always on at the Wellness House. This is a welcoming, loving, nurturing light of hope for people.”
Proceeds from the event will make it possible for Wellness House to continue to provide vital resources for those seeking a joyful life while living with a cancer diagnosis — all free of charge. In addition to support groups, the nonprofit offers exercise and nutrition classes, stress management resources as well as child and family programming for all those affected.
Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing and an event program that year after year celebrates life and commemorates those who have passed.
To purchase tickets to the event, which are $400 per person, or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=wellness&id=51.
Community buzz
The fifth annual Cherish the Dream Gala benefiting Reclaim 13, a Downers Grove-based nonprofit that aims to help eliminate child exploitation and sex trafficking, will take place Oct. 5 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center.
Funds raised at this event will support Cherish House, the organization’s safe haven home for victims of sex trafficking.
Opened in 2016, Cherish House is a specialized care facility for girls between the ages of 10 and 17 and is the only specialized care facility of its type in the state.
Gala guests will enjoy dinner and dancing, silent and live auctions as well as a paddle raise. To purchase tickets, which are $200 per person, or to make a tax deductible donation, please visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/cNe/.
— Alexis Braden of Hinsdale is the paper’s society columnist. Readers can email her at [email protected].
