IN THIS TOGETHER

The six co-chairs of next month’s Light The Way gala have more in common than their passion for supporting Wellness House. Each of them have experienced their own cancer journey, forging bonds amid loss to extend a beacon of hope to all.

Every cancer story is as unique as a thumbprint. One part medicine, one part mystery.

Yet, the journeys for those living with cancer and those who love them are often achingly similar. At first, it feels isolating. Unfair. There are good days and bad days, some more hopeful than others. Without warning, Plan A can turn into Plan B, and then C. No dates can be set other than your next treatment. And as this goes on, weeks turning into months and months turning into years, the emotional toll can be just as impactful as the disease itself.

Enter Wellness House, a Hinsdale nonprofit that opened more than three decades ago with a solitary purpose—to better the lives of people living with cancer and those close to them.

Lisa Kolavennu, who is now CEO of Wellness House, first heard about the organization nearly 20 years ago when her father was diagnosed with cancer.

“Like so many families, ours suddenly found ourselves trying to navigate both the medical side of cancer, as well as the fear, uncertainty, and emotional impact it brings,” she explains. “During that time, I learned about Wellness House and the extraordinary support it provides to individuals and families facing cancer.”

All programs and services offered at Wellness House are free of charge, whether it’s an exercise class, nutrition seminar, or a support group. This whole-person approach to healing is meant to complement the cancer treatment plans received from doctors and specialists—offering a much-needed dose of compassion.

“When people walk through the doors of Wellness House, no one is asked about insurance, income, or ability to pay. They simply receive the emotional, social, nutritional, exercise, educational, and family support they need during one of the most difficult times in their lives,” she continues, emphasizing that this is only possible because of the generosity of the Hinsdale area community and the nonprofit’s signature fundraiser. “The annual Wellness House Ball is one of the most important ways that generosity comes to life.”

This year’s Wellness House Ball on Saturday, October 24, at the Ritz Carlton Chicago has a Light The Way theme and a very special group of co-chairs.

Comprised of three couples, each of the six individuals responsible for next month’s gala have singular cancer journeys that led them to Wellness House—and ultimately to each other.

Dr. R. Webster Crowley, a neurosurgeon with experience treating both breast and brain cancer, says the devastating “non-physical effects” of cancer became real when his own mother got her diagnosis.

“For patients, the fear of cancer recurrence, or the knowledge that it’s not going away and could be terminal can be paralyzing. As much as we aim for a cure, even those who have their cancer cured often develop real, long-lasting aftereffects,” he says, adding, “I think that as doctors, we are really good at coming up with a Plan A and then moving to Plan B if Plan A doesn’t work, and then moving to Plan C if Plan B doesn’t work, and so on. However, we are often ill-equipped to handle the psychological toll that comes with those things. This is where the Wellness House truly excels.”

For his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, Plan A was originally going to be curative. Six years later, a recurrence placed them all back at the beginning again, with more doubt, another abnormal mammogram, until finally—for now, anyway—a negative biopsy that has put those fears to rest.

“There is no way that this emotional roller coaster doesn’t take a toll,” he says. “Again, this is where the Wellness House has the ability to make a real impact. Whether it’s through counselling, stress management, family support, or any of the other services the Wellness House offers, the ability to affect that aspect of the devastation this disease wreaks is in many ways as important as what the doctors are able to do to fight the cancer itself.”

He and wife, Dr. Angela Crowley, were introduced to the Wellness House Ball by a group of friends they hold dear, including their fellow co-chair couples—Dr. Gale England Smith and former Wellness House board chair Stephen Smith along with Jennifer and James Haunty.

“We’ve been coming to the Wellness House Ball for years, and every time we’re struck by the same thing—the extraordinary sense of community it brings out,” says Angela. “What moves us most is how readily our community steps forward, and we think that’s because cancer is a cause that touches every one of us at some point. That’s really why we said yes to co-chairing: not out of obligation, but because we’ve felt firsthand what this night does, and we wanted to help make more of it possible.”

Stephen discovered Wellness House when his fiancée was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before their marriage.

“At just 26 years old, she received what we hoped was a highly treatable Stage 1 diagnosis,” he explains. “Over the next 16 years, we experienced both periods of stability and significant challenges as we navigated her cancer journey together. During that time, we were fortunate to adopt our daughter, who is now 24 years old.”

Losing his wife 16 years after her cancer diagnosis divided his life in ways many find familiar—the before and the after.

Wellness House was there for both.

“The compassion and support we received from physicians, nurses, volunteers at organizations like Wellness House, family, friends, and eventually hospice caregivers left an indelible impact on me,” he adds, “Those experiences are the reason I became involved with Wellness House and ultimately the Wellness House Ball. I know firsthand how meaningful these resources can be for individuals and families facing cancer. As a co-chair of this year’s gala, I am honored to support an organization that provided resources and support that were so meaningful during my wife’s cancer journey.”

Now married and working alongside Stephen to help others the same way Wellness House helped him, Gale says her dream is to watch patients eventually reach the end of their treatment to see what might have once seemed impossible—the light at the end of the tunnel.

“This year’s theme, Light the Way, perfectly describes how Wellness House guides families through their diagnosis. A new cancer diagnosis often brings darkness and a feeling of hopelessness. Over time, with the guidance of Wellness House, patients find hope,” she says. “I am looking forward to sharing this beautiful theme and celebrating the positive difference Wellness House makes every day.”

The third set of co-chair couples for the October event is Jake Haunty, and wife Jennifer Carmody Haunty. Both widowers, they were brought together in 2018 by all the grief they carried, and those they left behind.

“My personal cancer journey started in 2002, the year after Nancy and I were married in Seattle. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer. It continued five years later after her first recurrence and a few years after that when she got her Stage IV diagnosis in 2009,” says Jake, who shared “seven incredible years” with her before she passed away.

A few years later, Jake was ready to move back to the Midwest and be closer to his family. He was introduced to Jennifer by his sister-in-law, Molly, via none other than Gale Smith.

“In fact, Molly and Gale used the 2018 Wellness House Ball as the catalyst to introduce me to Jen,” he says. “Molly insisted I fly in from Seattle to join them at the Ball, and we went out to dinner together with Gale and Steve and James and Molly. We consider that our first date!”

Jennifer’s cancer journey began in 2012, when her late husband, Matt, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 38.

“At the time we had three young children and a fourth on the way,” she says.

In July 2013, they moved the family to Hinsdale. One year to the day of that move, Matt passed away while preparing for a stem-cell transplant, leaving Jennifer widowed at 40 with four children.

“To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement, but I was incredibly blessed to have met Gale Smith as our oldest sons were in Kindergarten together at Monroe Elementary,” she says. “Gale was my constant source of support, having been a young widow herself. She helped me to continue moving forward in those incredibly sad and lonely days, and her journey in finding happiness again with Steve [Smith] was a constant inspiration to me.”

She found solace in the space in between at Wellness House, attending grief therapy sessions with her children. It became a place to share her sorrows, her worries, and her own cancer story with others who are now good friends.

This is what it’s all about.

And for more than 20 years, The Wellness House Ball is what makes it possible.

“The gala has become a highly anticipated philanthropic event, bringing together more than 400 caring community members every year,” says Kolavennu. “Every dollar raised helps ensure that Wellness House can continue providing more than 500 programs each month, completely free of charge, to individuals and families facing cancer.”

This year’s Wellness House Ball is being generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Burke Beverage; Premier Sponsors Tony & Mary Ann Pasquinelli Foundation and UBS Northstar Partners; and Gold Sponsors Curi Capital, Hallstar, UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, and William Blair.

Featuring a cocktail reception, dinner, live and silent auctions, a mission-focused program, and dancing, proceeds from the event directly support the 530 programs Wellness House offers each month at no cost to participants.

“Cancer can make the road ahead feel uncertain, but no one should have to navigate it alone,” sums Kolavennu. “Together, we are helping thousands of people find strength, hope, and connection when they need it most.”

For more information, visit wellnesshouse.org.