Hinsdale Magazine | GIVING BOOK
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Wellness House
or more than 30 years, Wellness House has prepared and empowered people to fully live life with cancer and beyond. Its experts, specialists and programs focus on individual needs through every step of the cancer journey—before, during and after treatment. Participants can choose from over 475 offerings per month in a wide range of program areas, including information and education, exercise, nutrition, stress management, child and family, and support groups and counseling. On March 12, Wellness House suspended all in-person programming because of the health risks posed by the pandemic, and launched an all-virtual program model four days later. Online programs have removed barriers such as geography and transportation challenges, and increased access to life-changing programs. The shift to virtual programming has been tremendously successful. Since March, more than 1,600 people made 31,000 visits to online programs. In a recent survey, 91 percent of participants
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said online programs have improved their sense of well-being, and 93 percent stated that online programs have benefited their coping skills. Wellness House is experiencing an increased need for support, particularly as the pandemic continues and social isolation increases. Like its programs, Wellness House adapted its fundraising activities to this new environment. The annual walk and ball were very different this year, and were both successful, despite restrictions on gathering in-person. Wellness House is hoping to end the year with a strong holiday giving season. Donations it receives enable services to be provided at no cost. Although volunteer roles have shifted at this time, volunteers continue to play a vital role at Wellness House. Staff and volunteers are looking forward to the day when they can safely return to their roles in-person. When that time comes, the need for volunteers will be even greater than before. Wellness House is committed to addressing cancer-health equity, and
finding ways to make programs more accessible to all people impacted by cancer. The organization will continue to offer online programs as long as there are restrictions on gathering in-person. Once it is safe to gather, online programming will still be made available, expanding Wellness House's reach even further. As it celebrates 30 years, its vision remains stronger than ever: a community where all people affected by cancer thrive.
Ways to give
Donate online at www.wellnesshouse.org. To set up planned giving, call 630-3235150.
Sponsor an event
• Walk for Wellness House • Wellness House Ball Contact events@wellnesshouse.org.
Volunteer opportunities
To share your time and talents, e-mail Caly at cmixa@wellnesshouse.org.
