Wing Foundation Receives Gifts, Gears Up for March Fundraiser

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Along with observing her landmark fifth year of living cancer-free, Sandra Wing had additional occasions to celebrate last month. The nonprofit organization she established in 2009, the Sandra J. Wing Healing Therapies Foundation, was the recipient of two significant donations in November. One was a personal bequest in the amount of $10,000. The other was a $5,000 grant from the Safeway Foundation.

Wing set up the foundation in the aftermath of her own battle with the disease. Her goal was to help other Tri-Valley cancer patients reduce stress levels and combat discomfort by providing funding for healing therapies that health insurance often does not cover. "There are many organizations engaged in cancer research, but these efforts look toward the future," she says. "I wanted to do something to deliver help immediately."

For example, complaints of sleeplessness, body aches, nausea, and low energy are common during treatment. "For me personally, under chemo I was feeling drained and exhausted, kind of in a fog. I often had a hard time falling asleep," Wing recalls. "Part of this was a side-effect of the drugs."

She found relief in a variety of healing therapies-acupuncture, acupressure, therapeutic massage, guided imagery, and deep-breathing meditation. These tools were "of immense help" in alleviating anxiety and improving her overall well-being, and she wanted others to benefit from them as well.

"Two years later, we've helped 84 cancer patients in the Tri-Valley, the youngest being four years old," Wing relates. "In that time we have also become a stand-alone 501(c)(3) organization." Despite the November donations, fund-raising remains an important part of the foundation's work and goes on all year long. The fall season of "Party Palooza 2011," an array of eight different themed parties designed for fun and relaxation, just wrapped up.

Next on the agenda is the group's primary fundraiser, the 4th Annual Ragin' Cajun, an evening of dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions, to be held at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton on Friday, March 2, 2012. Entertainment and refreshments are in keeping with the Cajun theme, with the DJ spinning Zydeco and jazz, and the bar serving a signature Mardi Gras drink from New Orleans, the Hurricane. Cohosts are tv newscasters Jessica Aguirre and Mike Inouye. "Dress is festive, not black tie," says Wing.

Last year, the big auction item was an African safari. "The people who won the bid loved their trip and suggested we do a repeat. We intend to have really great auction prizes. We are also looking for sponsors and volunteers to help," she continues. Details of the sponsorship packages are available online at www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org.

The foundation is now accepting applications for 2012 grants. Eligibility is reserved for Tri-Valley residents with cancer - regardless of age, gender, or type of disease - who are going through conventional treatments of chemotherapy and/or radiation. They must also have their doctors' approval. Those interested can apply online or call (866) 862-7270 for an application.

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