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Style Magazine

Harvest of Hope

Jul 31, 2009 05:00PM ● By Wendy Sipple

In our lives we may hear many phrases that can be life changing: “I love you,” “will you marry me,” “you are pregnant,” “I want a divorce”...however no words will transform your world as much as hearing “you have cancer.”

Nearly 8,800 people in the Sacramento region will face this diagnosis in 2009.

In our area, the American Cancer Society (ACS) office, located in Sacramento, offers help and support for people in Placer, El Dorado, Sacramento, Yolo and Amador counties. The dedicated staff is our local link to a vast national support system that serves not only people with the disease, but also offers help on how to make permanent changes in your life with tips and suggestions on cancer prevention, detection and treatment. The office, which opened decades ago, works with thousands of volunteers to staff events and fill many other important positions in the area. “The bulk of our work,” Maria Robinson, Communications Director says, “is helping people in our community one-on-one.”

ACS also offers many specialized support programs that address cancer that strikes women, men and children with information available for the patient, their family and caregivers. The National Cancer Information Center’s toll-free hotline (1-800-ACS-2345) is staffed 24/7 by trained cancer information specialists that can answer your questions and direct you to local resources. This link to these educated, passionate people is just one of the free services offered. “There is never a charge when you call us,” Robinson says.

The local office and the national program rely on donations of cash, which comes in the form of checks and bequeaths. However, if you are unable to give money, a gift of your time is always welcome. “When funds aren’t coming in,” Robinson says, “nothing is more important than our volunteers.”

A fun and thrifty way to show your support is to shop at one of the many ACS Discovery Shops. The stores offer gently used fashionable items at a fair price. “These shops are a huge source of income for us,” Robinson explains. “We offer top-notch items in an upscale boutique.” They also accept donations at the area’s three shops in Auburn, Roseville and Sacramento.

The American Cancer Society also hosts many fundraising events throughout the year, such as the 13th Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk/run in October, and their inaugural event of the Folsom Lake Gala - Harvest of Hope to be held at the spectacular Dalla Terra Estate in Granite Bay on September 12, 2009. Presenting Sponsor will be Hanson McClain and guests will be able to experience gourmet cuisine from the Sequoia Restaurant, local wines, auctions, games and live music by Garratt Wilkins & The Parrotheads. Instrumental in planning this elegant and festive event to support ACS are Scott and Valerie Hanson.

To see pictures of where the event will take place, learn about the sponsors, to get involved, or to purchase tickets for this extraordinary event visit gala.acsevents.org/folsomlakegala.


For more information on the American Cancer Society, visit cancer.org.


Local Area ACS Discovery Shops

Sacramento Discovery Shop
2744 Marconi Avenue
Sacramento, 916-484-0227 

Roseville Discovery Shop
1813 Douglas Boulevard,
Suite B-5
Roseville, 916-786-7773 

Auburn Discovery Shop
2376 Grass Valley Highway
Auburn, 530-888-7434