Our Mission

It is the mission of Wellness Place to provide education, support and understanding at no charge to those affected by cancer.

Wellness Place is a charitable 501(c)3 organization. All programs and services are 100% gift funded and able to be offered at no charge through generous donations, grants, and fundraising event proceeds.

Our Vision

It is our vision to be a recognized regional leader in cancer education and support, providing comprehensive services that are individualized, complimentary to medical treatment and offered at no charge to each participant.

2008 Annual Report
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Our Organization

Wellness Place was founded over a decade ago by two Barrington area women as they recovered from breast cancer treatment. Linda Murphy and Myrna Porter envisioned a community-based, non-medical support center in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago where people living with cancer could gather for counseling, education, encouragement and empowerment – at no fee

Since then Wellness Place has become a key community asset serving those diagnosed with cancer, as well as their family and caregivers. Professionals with oncology training provide counseling and support to help manage emotional and physical responses to cancer, sort through treatment options and side effects, formulate questions for doctors, and better communicate matters to family members, healthcare professionals and employers.

All programs and services are 100% gift funded and able to be offered without charge through donations and grants from individuals, foundations and businesses in the community. An annual giving campaign, major fund-raising events, community grants, and donations of services and goods also support the center and further the mission of Wellness Place. Cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, counseling and oncology information specialists, volunteers, and staff—work together—providing vital support to the cancer community.

Wellness Place is a charter member of the Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago, a consortium of independent cancer education and support centers offering programs and services at no charge, to those affected by cancer www.cancerhealthalliance.com.

The Importance of Psychosocial Support with a Cancer Diagnosis :

In 2007 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released Cancer Care for the Whole Patient, a report sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH) emphasizing the importance of treating psychosocial (emotional and social) needs of those experiencing cancer. The report concluded that supportive services such as those offered at Wellness Place “reduce patients’ suffering, help them adhere to prescribed treatments, and support their return to health.” The IOM report has shown that “1 out of 3 cancer patients/survivors exhibited significant psychological distress in response to their illness…high distress patients were 15 times more likely to be re-hospitalized.” The IOM report concludes that “attending to psychosocial needs should be an integral part of quality cancer care.” www.iom.edu

Happy Holidays! What better time to show appreciation to everyone who helped make us a success throughout the last 12 months. I’d first like to thank those who donate their professional services for our Integrative Therapy programs for stress management. On behalf of all the participants who benefit from these classes and sessions, we are grateful beyond words for their loyal support of our mission.

Heartfelt appreciation goes to our wonderful volunteers who logged countless hours doing everything from helping at fundraising and outreach events to providing administrative support where needed. And, of course our Board of Directors...we are truly appreciative for all the time, talent and energy they so graciously share with us. 

Finally, we couldn’t help so many along their cancer journey without our faithful donors who have supported Wellness Place throughout these challenging economic times. Don’t forget—we are 100% reliant on donations. We do not receive State or Federal help in any way and we do not bill for our services. We are deeply grateful for your help and hope we can continue to count on your generosity which enables us to provide these vital programs to the cancer community at no charge. 

Mark you calendar for our 3^rd annual Community Cancer Walk/Run at the Harper College campus on Sunday, June 3rd. We are thrilled that that this event continues to grow. Our goal is for this to become our flagship event for both raising donations and awareness while celebrating survivors and remembering loved ones. Start building your team now! Information for team building and fund raising can be found on our website www.wellnessplace.org or stop in for more details.