Wellness House

Description

Who We Are
Wellness House provides information support and a community to help families living with cancer Founded in 1990 by a committed group of community leaders Wellness House serves as a vital complement to medical treatment for anyone experiencing the effects of cancer by providing a comprehensive array of programs at no cost to participants

We exist to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by cancer and its treatment serve as a gathering place and provide comfort and community Our hope is that people will feel less alone more informed and more empowered to take on the challenge of facing cancer

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer we invite you to participate in our programs You can connect to the latest cancer information through one of our many special events connect to others who are going through similar experiences in our networking groups connect to programs and resources for stress reduction and healthy lifestyles in our exercise and nutrition classes

Mission
Wellness House envisions a community where all people affected by cancer thrive Offered at no cost and as a complement to medical treatment our programs educate support and empower participants so they will improve their physical and emotional wellbeing

History

In the winter of 1988 three local women two of whom were cancer survivors initiated the efforts which would lead to the founding of Wellness House They asked the question What do cancer patients need to help themselves manage the challenges and difficulties they face resulting from diagnosis treatment and living with a lifethreatening illness The answer to this complex question began a broadbased community effort that ultimately led to Wellness House

Wellness House officially came into existence when a group of twenty local residents most of whom were cancer survivors formed a Planning Commission in 1988 After several months operating in a space borrowed from Hinsdale Hospital and becoming a registered notforprofit the Board of Directors raised the funds necessary to open the doors of Wellness House

In 1990 Wellness House purchased property adjacent to Hinsdale Hospital and on July 3rd of that same year began providing services to cancer patients After quickly reaching the capacity of the facility Wellness House engaged in a major fund drive and began to build its current home Drawing on extraordinary community support from residents builders contractors designers and also from its own auxiliaries Wellness House broke ground for its new facility during the winter of 1992 Since that time Wellness House has added on to its facility to become a 15000 square foot home that provides crucial support to over 1600 people affected by cancer each year