New Office Helps Cancer Patients Cope

The Wellness Community, a support center for adult cancer patients and their families, opened an office in Westlake Village on Monday to serve San Fernando Valley and Ventura County residents.

Founded in Santa Monica in 1982 by the husband of a cancer patient, the Wellness Community is “a program for adults to participate in their fight for recovery,” Program Director Joan Mandell said.

“The two most common problems for adults with cancer are unwanted aloneness and loss of control,” Mandell said.

“It’s very difficult for others to understand what they’re going through, even if they have a very supportive network of family and friends,” she said.

The Wellness Community combats the aloneness by holding a weekly support group meeting as well as offering other programs.

The organization gives cancer patients “an opportunity to build an extended family,” she said.

In response to the other problem--feeling out of control--the Wellness Community sponsors a variety of self-help workshops.

Mandell said the group offers no medical advice and supports conventional medical techniques in treating cancer.

The Wellness Community, whose Westlake Village office is at 5655 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 104, is privately funded and provides all services free to patients and their families.