Benefit Committee Members Rhonda Salins, Susan Barr and Lynne Adams

Tucked away on Northbrook’s Revere Drive is the Cancer Wellness Center, a North Shore facility aimed at treating the entire person, body and soul. Their mission is to provide everything from networking groups and educational seminars, to nutritional plans and yoga classes to those affected by cancer—all under one roof. “Our goal is not about treating the medical disease,” explains Nancy Laatsch, Executive Director. “Instead, we help people live better while living with cancer.”

To sustain such an organization, the Cancer Wellness Center relies heavily on volunteers and funds raised during their annual benefit, this year held at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Chicago on the evening of Saturday, October 23. Playing off the popular ABC television show, the gala’s theme is “Dancing With Our Stars,” and will feature a dance contest comprised of celebrities from the North Shore. Judy Markey, former WGN radio personality, Bob Avellini, retired Chicago Bears quarterback, State Representative Michael McAuliffe, and Bonnie Schoenberg, General Counsel for Community Financial Service Centers (CFSC), will be strutting their stuff on the dance floor, all in the name of supporting the Center.

And what would a dancing contest be without judges? Making up the panel is Jesse DeSoto, owner of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Buffalo Grove (and past Dancing With the Stars contestant!), Dr. Daniel Shevrin, oncologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Ronna Kaye, a Broadway choreographer based in Chicago.

Even more impressive than the dancing lineup are the raffle prizes, most notably a package for two to attend a live filming of Dancing With the Stars, a hotel stay at the Beverly Hilton, tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and dinner at restaurant giant Lettuce Entertain You’s new Santa Monica hot spot LGO. Sports, shopping, and jewelry prizes also abound.

But in the midst of all the dancing and prizes is the basic message: to continue providing education and support to those going through their personal cancer experience. Nancy works every day toward making the long road of cancer management an easier one, and believes it should not be tackled alone. “We allow [the survivors] the tools that will be helpful to them during this difficult time in their lives, and connect them with others that are going through the same experience.”

Tickets for “Dancing With Our Stars” are available by calling Stacy Herpe at the Cancer Wellness Center at 847-509-9595. Visit thecancerwellnesscenter.org for more information.