Company: Cancer Support Community San Gabriel Valley, Sierra Madre, CA
Company Description: Over the past 32 years, Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley has served tens of thousands of people challenged with cancer. The organization currently provides ten weekly support groups and one monthly support group facilitated by professional mental health therapists, and over 80 monthly education workshops led by experts in their field along with stress management classes.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Health Products & Services - Small
 Nomination Title: Cancer Support Community
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 117 words used.
Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley is part of a global nonprofit network consisting of over 190 locations focused on providing support for those impacted by cancer by addressing mental health with counseling, community, and connection at no cost to patients – ever. Cancer Support Community is dedicated to creating a community with a variety of in-person and online groups, classes, and resources. These are aimed at providing mental health care alongside patients’ oncological support. From group and individual counseling to educational workshops led by medical health professionals, to healthy lifestyle classes, social activities, and other evidence-based support, these services are provided for those impacted by cancer – patients, caregivers, survivors, families and those experiencing loss.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 155 words used.
After an unprecedented Be the Key capital campaign led by CEO Patricia Ostiller which raised $3,750,000, Cancer Support Community moved into a new 7,000-square-foot facility in Sierra Madre, California, in July 2023. The building needed to be completely renovated. Patricia and her team spent the second half of 2022 through June 2023 collaborating with architects, contractors, and designers to create a welcoming permanent home for the Cancer Support Community of the San Gabriel Valley.
The new Community Center was the result of nearly a year of collaboration, innovation, and teamwork from a team of architects, contractors, and designers to create a space that best serves patients. Since 2022, Cancer Support Community San Gabriel Valley (Cancer Support Community) has consistently enhanced its ability to support those impacted by cancer. The organization expanded its offerings to include over 21 weekly support groups and 30+ healthy lifestyle classes, educational seminars, and social activities per month.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 205 words used.
Since then, Cancer Support Community has been serving more people facing cancer than ever before, ending 2023 with a record number of 1,130 people served from throughout the Greater San Gabriel Valley and all the way into Los Angeles and more than doubling the nonprofits net assets. All services that Cancer Support Community provides are always delivered at no cost, ever, to all participants. This ensures that participants only must focus on healing and never money. Cancer Support Community has impacted numerous lives and created a reliable network of advocacy and support for those in need.
While new cancer cases have risen, the death rates for cancer of nearly all sites have decreased consistently over the last 30 years according to the same study. Yet, recent research from Cancer Support Community, conducted by its Research and Training Institute, shows that 52% of cancer patients suffer from symptoms of anxiety, and 49% of patients suffer from symptoms of depression. While physical cancer treatment has improved, mental health is often ignored. As new cancer diagnoses become more common, mental health support must be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for anyone with a cancer diagnosis to improve their quality of life and enhance their medical outcomes.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
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