The Women’s Cancer Resource Center has many reasons to be grateful. We lean into this mindset daily and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you throughout this Season of Gratitude.

WCRC embodies the principles of cultural humility in all aspects of our work and in everything we do to support our community. We intentionally practice this daily – showing up and ensuring that our clients feel seen and heard, honoring them and building trust. We have stayed true to our mission and grown and changed to meet the evolving needs of those we serve.

We envision a world in which all people with cancer receive the care and support they need to survive, thrive, and advocate for themselves, and we are deeply grateful to each of you for joining us in these efforts. Your support allows us to continue to deliver these services and we are honored that you choose us to be a recipient of your generosity.

We would not be able to deliver WCRC’s services to our community without each of you – our donors, local businesses, churches, foundations, medical partners, founders, board members, staff, and volunteers. You are all a part of the fabric of WCRC and we are ever so grateful for your generosity, trust in us, and devotion to our mission.

Amy Alanes

Executive Director

Heather Fell

Chair, Board of Directors

Grateful to be Making a Difference!

This year, we are thankful to have grown our programs to reach more under-served women and gender-expansive individuals navigating a cancer diagnosis. We welcomed four incredible staff members to our team, including two dedicated Multicultural Patient Navigators. And new funding from Gilead's Toward Health Equity (THE) Oncology Grant has allowed us to reimagine services to better meet the needs of our clients during this evolving, and still challenging, time of the pandemic.

As we remain dedicated to providing direct support to the patients and survivors who are least-served by the medical establishment, we are also advancing our mission to improve equitable access to quality cancer care at a systems level. We are grateful in 2023 to have:

• hosted our most popular Continuing Education workshop for therapists, yet! Over 80 therapists (licensed and pre-licensed) joined instructor Tanisha Thelemaque, Ph.D. for "Helping Clients Navigate Health-Related Stress with an Anti-Oppressive Approach" to explore best practices for engaging in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive clinical practices.
• created a new therapist networking group for BIPOC Clinicians. The new quarterly gathering is a safe environment for clinicians to talk about making a difference in the lives of their diverse clients while prioritizing self-care and sharing resources.
• contributed to clinical research, including a published journal article and a currently active study with Stanford School of Medicine. And just last month, WCRC's Community Engagement Director and Client Support Clinician Dolores Moorehead lended her expertise as a panelist presenter at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2023 ASCO Quality Care Symposium.

We do not do this work alone, and are grateful to be in partnership with so many providers, community groups, and fellow cancer support agencies across the Bay Area and beyond. During our Season of Gratitude, we'd like to thank to our referral partners, collaborators, and instructors who continue to support us as work together to better serve our community's least-represented cancer patients and survivors.

Grateful for our Volunteers!

A chance rain did not dampen the community spirit as WCRC volunteers, guests and staff gathered recently for a Volunteer Recognition Afternoon Tea. The tea was especially celebratory since we have not been able to hold a volunteer recognition event since 2019!

During the tea we indulged in all of the things we took for granted before the pandemic: talking, laughing, eating, sharing physical space and being able to thank our amazing volunteers in person. Every type of WCRC volunteer was represented there: Free Therapy Program Psychotherapists, Wellness Workshop Instructors, Garden, Information and Referral, Swim A Mile/Move A Mile, Outreach Committee, Translators, Financial Assistance Follow-up Callers, Help Desk. It was wonderful to see each and every person.

The pandemic has tested us in so many ways. Yet, because of the flexibility of our volunteers, along with their commitment, energy and creativity, WCRC continues to move through this time of transition and into a reconceived environment nimbler and more responsive than ever before. Thank you for showing up again and again. Whether virtually or in person, we could not, and cannot do it without you.

Grateful to be in Community!

In October, WCRC demonstrated its unwavering commitment to supporting our clients year-round with a special focus on Breast Cancer Awareness month. Throughout the month, our dedicated volunteers and staff actively participated in 8 outreach events across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. We are so thankful we can once again be out in-person sharing information about our services, cancer prevention, and other resources directly with community members!

Here are some highlights from our October outreach efforts:

1. Cancer Awareness Event with Bay Point All-in-One: We played a key role in organizing this event with Bay Point All-in-One. This event hosted community partners and featured presentations from Cancer Survivors, Community Leaders, Physicians, and WCRC's Community Outreach Ambassador, Julia Riad.
2. Alameda Health System Community Health Fair 2023: Our participation in the Alameda Health Fair marked an exciting opportunity to foster a new relationship with the community in Alameda, and further strengthen our partnership with AHS.
3. Hats Off for Survivors Tea at Covenant Church Berkeley: This intimate gathering celebrated survivors of Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence with speakers including Minister Sonja Dixon and Julia Riad.

WCRC is taking part in #GivingTuesday!

We're taking part in #GivingTuesday and hope you'll join us! The annual day of giving has become a tradition in unlocking generosity in support of nonprofits and causes across the globe. Mark your calendars for November 28th and consider making a donation in support of WCRC's free support services for East Bay cancer patients, survivors and caregivers at our dedicated #GivingTuesday donation page.

The Women’s Cancer Resource Center improves equitable access to cancer information, support and care.

We envision a society in which everyone touched by cancer can access medical care, education and support needed to ensure a maximum, positive quality of life.

All of our services are free, and are funded entirely by charitable giving.

DONATE NOW!