Women's Cancer Resource Center

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

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

ENORMOUS THANKS to
Page Hodel for gifting us with the use of these hearts from her Monday Hearts for Madelene project!

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Dear AmericanTowns.com,

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Ovarian cancer is known as the "silent killer," and is often mistaken for other illnesses, such as gastric disorders. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors is very important.

Women are at a higher risk of ovarian cancer if: you or family members are BRCA1 or 2 positive, there is a history of breast cancer, or you are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. Men with these risk factors have a higher possibility of developing testicular cancer.

There is no regular ovarian cancer screening at yearly appointments, so it is important to know the signs. Ovarian cancer is often very aggressive and progresses rapidly. 

We are grateful to Miranda, one of WCRC’s long-term Swim A Mile / Move A Mile participants, for sharing her cancer story with us, and with you! Miranda was already at Stage 3C when she was diagnosed. She had been feeling very sick for only a few months.

Miranda had all of the classic symptoms, plus some others, including shortness of breath, dizziness, irregular bleeding, and sharp lung pains. Her symptoms were minimized by her doctors and she was initially misdiagnosed – a familiar story for far too many of the clients we see here. You can read about her experience below.

The JanRae Art Gallery will reopen to the public (by appointment and online) with the art of Carol Doyle. Proceeds from the sale of Carol’s art will benefit the programs and services offered at WCRC. We are looking forward to an in-person art reception on October 14 -- the first since the onset of COVID-19. Scroll down for more information or to sign up to attend.

Finally, keep reading to learn about the local businesses who are going all-in for women with cancer during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All of WCRC's services are FREE and are 100% funded by the support of foundations, businesses, and individual donors like you. We are grateful!

Warmly,

Christine

Christine Sinnott
Development Manager

Tilting Towards the Sun | by Miranda S.

Growing flowers is a transparent metaphor for personal, physical and emotional growth. I’m still on the road to recovery from ovarian cancer. I picture my pre-cancer self. She is strong, energetic, tough, fast, flexible, athletic and powerful. Stripped of myself through the rot of cancer and the fire of chemotherapy, what’s left is the strength, power and toughness, forged in fire. I am stripped to my essence, yet so vulnerable, like a little velvety pansy I planted deep in dark earth, frowning from effort, willpower and water, from sun and tears. I can’t wait to swim, run, hike, forage and run feral through hills and mountains – or just be able to walk to the corner store and back for a soda and chips.

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I had all of the symptoms and more: a hard and bloated stomach, fluid retention, constipation, frequent peeing, a sensation of pressure on my bladder, searing back pain, missed periods, irregular bleeding, pain with sex, hot flashes, headaches, exhaustion and unregulated emotions. I had lung pain I thought was asthma but later were diagnosed as pulmonary embolisms. I knew something was really wrong.

At first I ignored my symptoms because my docs were unimpressed: “It’s perimenopause,” said my gynecologist. “Lose weight,” said my primary care doctor. When I received my cancer diagnosis, at first I blamed myself for not saying all of the symptoms at the same time to the doctors. But blaming myself is a waste of time. I couldn’t have known. Not advocating for myself was a clue to how sick I really was....

Click HERE to read more.

In the JanRae Community Art Gallery

Repositories of Feelings: The Art of Carol Doyle
October 1 - December 30, 2022

Online on our website or by appointment. Contact [email protected] to schedule a visit.

Opening Reception :: October 14, 2022
6-7 and 7-8 pm

:: Light appetizers and beverages

:: Artist talk by Eric Doyle, Carol's widow

Space is limited; RSVP is required at https://tinyurl.com/caroldoyle

100% of all sales will benefit WCRC's work.

Carol Doyle was an accomplished artist whose work was shown in numerous galleries and in the Developing Artists’ Gallery at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts. Carol practiced art as a painter, printmaker and teacher in the Bay Area until her death from inflammatory breast cancer in 2006. Her media included oil, relief prints, intaglio, needlework, and felt, all of which will be represented at this show.

All-in for Women with Cancer

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are beyond grateful to partner with area businesses and organizations through our All-in for Women with Cancer campaign! These partners are going above and beyond to support Women’s Cancer Resource Center through fundraisers or outreach activities taking place throughout the month of October. Be sure to follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to check out the latest on how these companies are going All-in!

We’re thrilled to once again receive the support of Michele Leopold and her extended Ace Hardware family. Her Ace Hardware locations in the Laurel District of Oakland, Antioch, Pittsburg, and Oakley will all be running a “round up your change” campaign where customers can volunteer to round-up their purchase to make a donation to WCRC. Stop by and shop at:

4024 MacArthur Blvd. Oakland CA 94619
501 Sunset Dr. Antioch, CA 94509
3100 Main St. #266 Oakley, CA 94561
125 E Leland Rd. Pittsburg, CA 94565

Berkeley Police Department’s Community Services Bureau is bringing back their pink patches for Breast Cancer Awareness month and highlighting WCRC in the process. They’ll be handing out the custom, limited-edition patches along with information on our suite of programs at WCRC!

We’ll be spreading the word about WCRC’s free programs and services at various Berkeley Farmers’ Markets, thanks to the Ecology Center! Swing by our booth while also shopping for fresh fruits, veggies, and more from local growers. We’ll be tabling at the Tuesday Oct. 4th, Saturday Oct. 8th, Thursday Oct. 13th, and Saturday Oct. 22nd markets.

Our fabulous friends at Laurel Burch Studios will be donating 10% of in-store sales to WCRC’s free programs and services when the customer mentions WCRC. Stop by their retail store at 1345 Eighth Street in Berkeley.

Formed in 2019 as a community center program with a group of friends, IBX Fitness has since evolved into one of the best gyms in the East Bay Area with the goal of providing fitness that can be maintained for your whole life. They’re hosting a special “HIIT it, Cancer” workout on Sunday Oct. 23rd where the class fee is a $25 minimum donation to WCRC!

We’ll be joining Pamana Plantas for their October 23rd art show! Pamana Plantas is a Filipino-owned and operated plant shop founded by Dom Morales, rooted in a Filipino family legacy. The October art show will feature the work of Dom’s mother, a breast cancer survivor.

An eco-friendly salon specializing in custom hair color, precision hair cutting, and specialized hair treatments with sustainable products, Raven & Rose are curating products from some of their favorite vendors in a “F#ck Cancer” bundle. Proceeds of every sale of their F#ck Cancer bundle will be donated in support WCRC’s programs and services. Available online or at their Albany salon!

South Berkeley’s Sports Basement has provided us with an exclusive discount just for WCRC! Shop from a wide range of sports and outdoor gear in the iconic former Iceland at 2727 Milvia Street, and be sure to bring this coupon for 11% off your purchase! (Basementeers can get 20% off!)

In the Community

ALL WIGGED OUT

Film + performance + Q&A
at the Freight & Salvage
October 16, 2022
7 pm

In ALL WIGGED OUT, Grammy® Award-winner Marcy Marxer uses her renowned musical mastery and eclectic wit, storytelling, and comedy to share her firsthand experiences with breast cancer. Starting with a funky mammogram in June 2015 and ending shortly after her last chemo pill in spring of 2021, Marxer traces her transition from award-winning virtuosic musician to artist struggling with chemo-induced neuropathy, and her path back to touring musician.

Marcy is joined by partner Cathy Fink, Stacy McMichael (bass) and Janet Cramer (drums). ALL WIGGED OUT not only tells Marcy’s story, but also helps medical professionals, friends, family, and even strangers learn how they can best support those with cancer, all while keeping a sense of humor.

Filmed by the Emmy Award winning HMS Media in Evanston, IL before a live audience. Directed by Tracy Walsh. Run time: 58 minutes.

Watch the trailer HERE. Purchase tickets HERE.

Proceeds partially benefit Bay Area cancer organizations, including WCRC.