We are pleased to present the honorees for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Life Gala. Their stories inspire us to continue our mission of providing support, education, and hope to people with cancer and their families. Celebration of Excellence: Robert D. Hesselgesser, MD
Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser held the very first fundraiser for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, is a charter founding member, and has served on the Professional Advisory Board for many years. Dr. Hesselgesser and his wife, Jane, generously opened their home for a spectacular French impressionistic garden party, the first event ever held to help TWCVV open its doors. Jane Hesselgesser, an international concert pianist, gave a memorable performance at the North Ranch Community Center to raise additional funds.
A graduate of USC and New York Medical College, Dr. Hesselgesser completed his residency in radiation oncology at LA County USC Medical Center and has been Board-certified for more than 35 years. He is a specialist in radioactive implants with high and low dose rate Iridium-192, and has lectured internationally on the topic. He has performed over 250 I-125 prostate implants, one of the largest series done by a single physician. Dr. Hesselgesser practices with North Oaks Radiation Oncology Center, in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Radiation Oncology Center in Westlake Village.
Although he intended to specialize in OB/GYN, a lecture in medical school on the wonders of radiation oncology sparked his interest. Decades later, his passion for his work is stronger than ever. “Giving patients hope and being able to offer something that can benefit them is the most rewarding aspect of my work,” says Dr. Hesselgesser. “Aside from the benefits of radiation oncology, I also really enjoy the science involved. The fact that you need to be an expert on all aspects of the human body forces you to be a real Marcus Welby of cancer care!”
“Dr. Hesselgesser listens to me and allows me to be a full partner in my treatment,” says Kathy Joosten, a ten-year lung cancer survivor. “His explanations of how the treatment works, even down to the cellular level, help me believe in the efficacy of the treatment.”
Dr. Hesselgesser lives in Westlake Village with his wife, Jane, and has “a ton” of hobbies including collecting rare objects from coins to dinosaur bones. Dr. and Mrs. Hesselgesser’s son James is VP of Program Development for an aircraft parts manufacturer. Their son Alex works for the San Diego Police Department and is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Reserves.
Celebration of Hope: Mervyn Kopp
It was May 18, 2006 – Merv Kopp’s birthday. In the past two months he had been diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, (a rare and aggressive cancer), and had two surgeries in his right maxillary sinus. On a day when he should have been celebrating, he began the first of 33 radiation treatments. Rather than lament his situation, he decided to give himself a goal; he bought a brand new mountain bike. “The bike arrived before treatment ended, and it drove me nuts seeing it in my kitchen every day, but it made me vow to become as strong as possible as soon as possible,” says Merv.
This is how Merv takes on life and inspires everyone around him. He has no time for self-pity, preferring instead to follow Monty Python’s lead and “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.”
As a delegate to the inaugural Lance Armstrong Foundation LIVESTRONG Cancer Survivors Summit in October 2006, Merv was inspired to do something to help cancer survivors in his community. As an Honorary Rotarian and past president of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club, he had spoken locally about the power of a positive attitude, using humor. He decided to produce a stand-up comedy show FUN-draiser for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. Five years later, Merv is responsible for three successful Stand Up for Cancer Survivors Comedy FUN-draisers at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and TWCVV uses the proceeds to produce a monthly Monday Comedy Night, “Laughter IS the best Medicine” for people affected by cancer. More than 1,100 people have been regaled by 34 professional comics, all thanks to Merv’s dedication and nonstop energy.
In early 2009, Merv’s cancer returned. After eight months of chemotherapy Merv once again has No Evidence of Cancer. Through all of this, Merv continues to work diligently to bring laughter to cancer patients, survivors, and family members in our community. “Laughter is the bridge we take to leave the dark side and get to the other side,” says Merv. “Maybe your glass is only one-sixteenth full, but at least it's got something in it. To quote Norman Cousins: ‘Laughter IS the best medicine.’ So, take your medicine!”
Celebration of Life: Norman MacDonald and Leonard Chapman, The Honey-Do Boys
For anyone with a “Honey-Do” list and no “Honey” to help, Norman MacDonald and Leonard Chapman of the Honey-Do Boys are just a phone call away. By donating their handyman skills, the Honey-Do Boys help TWCVV continue its mission of providing support, education and hope to cancer patients and their families without having to take staff time and financial resources to tend to the facility.
Norm and his wife Kathy got involved with TWCVV in 1996 when Kathy was diagnosed with lymphoma. Kathy was passionate about helping others affected by cancer, and spoke at fundraisers and local groups about her experience. She passed away in 2005 after living nine years longer than the doctors predicted. Norm believes Kathy exceeded doctors’ expectations in part because of TWCVV. “They opened her eyes to the fact that she wasn’t alone, and she felt like she could do something to help,” says Norm. “That was her will to live.”
After retiring from 37 years as an aviation mechanic, Norm and his neighbor Len formed the Honey-Do boys in 2003 and continue to donate their handyman skills to TWCVV and Habitat for Humanity. Although Len is retired after 48 years in the home improvement industry, he has never slowed down. “It’s a great satisfaction to do a job, do it right, and do it well,” says Len, who is a cancer survivor.
When TWCVV’s south wall was reconstructed Norm and Len took on one of their largest projects, installing new floors and painting the support group rooms. Lianne Ingalla is one of many participants who enjoyed the transformation. “The changes have been a subtle uplift to our collective spirits,” says Lianne, an interior designer and a breast cancer survivor. “The sleek floors immediately enriched the rooms, and clean paint added to the renewal.”
“The most precious thing we have is our time, and The Wellness Community gave me time with my wife that I would not have had,” says Norm. “It’s a debt I could never repay, but at least I’m getting closer.” We at TWCVV extend our deepest gratitude for the precious time that the Honey-Do Boys have donated to our cause.
Celebration of Philanthropy: Mr. Hugh E. Petersen in memoriam
On behalf of the thousands of people who have found solace within the walls of The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, we would like to thank Mr. Hugh Petersen for giving us a home. Hugh donated the building that houses TWCVV in 1995, but his remarkable generosity extends far beyond this extraordinary gift. It would be impossible to measure the lives changed for the better by Hugh, especially because he never sought credit for his kindness.
Hugh Petersen was born in 1918 and spent his childhood in Kenilworth, Illinois. He graduated from Princeton University with Honors in Economics and entered the family business in 1940 when his father became ill. By day he ran the J.W. Petersen Coal and Oil Company in Chicago while at night attending Northwestern Law School and later receiving an MBA from the University of Chicago.
Hugh met and married Marjorie Stone in 1968, telling his family it was the best thing he had ever done in his life. After ten years of marriage, they decided to “retire” to Santa Barbara. He liquidated the company in 1978, which had become the largest distributor of coal and fuel oil in the country.
In 1972, he purchased the La Arcada Investment Corporation in Santa Barbara, which included the La Arcada Building and other commercial properties including a bank building in Thousand Oaks. He devoted himself to transforming the La Arcada building and courtyard into a beautiful area for the community to enjoy, filling it with treasures collected and commissioned from around the world. He treated his many tenants like family. It was his delight to donate the building in Thousand Oaks to TWCVV, an organization he believed gave tremendous service, support and hope to those with cancer. Innumerable individuals and students, churches, colleges and universities, Christian organizations and community projects have benefited from his legendary generosity.
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