About Us

The Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center in Homewood, Ill. was formed in 1994 when two newly widowed, young mothers were looking for support for their families after the passing of their husbands. What began as a dinner table discussion has turned into a pillar resource for people in more than 70 Chicago southland and Northwest Indiana communities. The Center provides services free of charge to a diverse participant base including cancer patients, caregivers, children, teens and friends of the cancer patient. Having seen their ideas grow to fruition, several of the original “seed planters” still serve in day-to-day roles at the Cancer Support Center.

In addition to support groups, individual and family counseling sessions and the Center’s comprehensive Resource Center, wellness programs are offered on a weekly basis. Participants enjoy yoga, qi gong, meditation, relaxation, massage therapy, Reiki and healing touch. On average, 250 people per week use the free services.

Click here for information about The Cancer Support Center in Mokena.

The Cancer Support Center is a founding member of The Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago. The Alliance was formed in 2002 when four cancer support centers united improve awareness of the services offered at each of the centers. Alliance partners include Wellness House in Hinsdale, Ill., Wellness Place in Palatine, Ill. and Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, Ill.

The Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago: www.cancerhealthalliance.com
Wellness House: www.wellnesshouse.org
Wellness Place: www.wellnessplace.org
Cancer Wellness Center: www.cancerwellness.org
Cancer Health Alliance: www.cancerhealthalliance.org

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Mission & Vision

Click here for our Beliefs & Philosophies Statement.

The mission of the Cancer Support Center is to provide free comprehensive resources that help people improve their quality of life during the cancer experience.

Vision: The Cancer Support Center is devoted to maintaining a warm, welcoming environment while ensuring that visitors have immediate access to our free programs and resources. The professional staff strives to help people affected by cancer process through their experience in a way that is as supportive and healing as possible to achieve the highest quality of life. The Cancer Support Center is a community-based, volunteer-driven, donor-supported organization.

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Contact Us

For more information and/or a current calendar of events, contact the Cancer Support Center at:

2028 Elm Road, Homewood, Illinois 60430
(on the corner of Dixie Highway and Elm Road)
phone: (708) 798-9171

19250 Everett Lane, Mokena, Illinois 60448
(just southwest of the corner of LaGrange Road and 191st Street)
phone: (708) 478-3529

e-mail: csc@cancersupportcenter.org

DROP-IN HOURS:
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with evening hours for groups, presentations and special appointments. Please call for more information.

How to find the Homewood Center: click here for a map

Directions From Chicago - By Car
-Dan Ryan East (toward Indiana).
-Follow 57 south at the split past 95th St.
-Follow 57 south to the 159th Street exit (east).
-Drive east on 159th Street (over 294).
-Turn right on Dixie Hwy. - heading south about 2 miles.
-Follow Dixie Hwy. to the left and go under the Metra line.
-The first street after the underpass is Harwood.
-Turn right on Harwood.
-Make a quick left on Elm.
-Our parking lot is on the left.

Directions From Chicago - By Train
-Randolph/Millennium Metra Electric Station to Homewood
-Cross street at Harwood, walk 2 blocks north to Center

We also are located on the PACE bus route 352.
Exit in Homewood at the Dixie Highway/Elm Road stop across from the Homewood Public Library. We are half a block east on Elm Road at the intersection with Harwood Avenue. Questions: (708) 798-9171.

How to find the Mokena Center:
click here for a map

The Cancer Support Center is located at 19250 Everett Lane in Mokena. This is just south of I-80 at LaGrange Road.

- From I-80, take LaGrange Road South to 191st Street, turn right/west on 191st St.
- Go to first left, which is Everett Lane. Turn south.
- Stay on Everett past Mr. Benny's Restaurant. Our office building is on the right/west side of the street. We're on the ground level of 19250 Everett Lane. Call (708) 478-3529 with questions.

MAILING LISTS:
To receive our email newsletters and/or announcements,
write in your name and e-mail address and click the Sign Up button.

Name:
E-mail:

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Contact the Staff

You may email the staff by clicking on their names.

Administrative/Development Staff

Executive Director
    Kara Grell

Director of Development
    Tricia Collier

Manager of Technology & Resources
    Nancy Brandt

Fundraising Events Coordinator
    Rachael Kemnic

Manager of Community Relations
    Susan Mason, MBA

Coordinator of Financial Services
    Denise Marshall

Village Door Manager
    Nance Beele

Constituent Information Associate
    Amy Sorenson

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Program Staff

Clinical Program Director
    Lisa Schneider, MS, LCPC

Clinical Supervisor, Coordinator of Mindfulness Programs
    Timothy Pedigo, Ph.D.

Coordinator of Participant Services
    Judy Themer, Psy.D.

Coordinator of Child and Family Programs
    Cheryl Pickering, LCSW

Coordinator of Program Events
    Valerie Piazza, RN, MA, LPC

Program Assistant
    Lynn Ring, MSW, LCSW

Program Assistant
    Wendy Butzbach

Program Assistant
   Megan Tracy

Mokena Site Coordinator
   Chris Rosandich

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Meet our Boards

Board of Directors
Michael G. Alberico, President Janet R. Bolton, Vice President Vacant, Board Secretary John M. Hausmann, CPA, Treasurer Marilyn Kent Tapajna, Immediate Past President		Rita Arnold Nancy Gallagher Bobbi Kamradt Steve Kelley Pat Martin Geri Melyon Robert W. Petrie Frank Q. Poppie Russ Prekwas Don Ransford David Van Eekeren
Professional Advisory Board
Susan Arnold, RN, BSN Susan Boehm, BS Ann Cuvala, RN, OCN Paula Franson, RN, MS, OCN Mark Kozloff, MD		Roseanne Krinski, MD Terri O'Brien, RN, BS, OCN Tim Pedigo, PhD Robert Share, MD Robert Tomchuck, DO
Women's Board Officers
Julie Curran, President Dottie Bauer, First Vice President Ruby Marsh, Second Vice President Renae Ross, Treasurer		Nadine Garfalo, Corresponding Secretary Gloria Ferry, Recording Secretary Fran Bruni, Immediate Past President
Junior Board Officers
Steve Anderson, President Jennifer Chambers, Vice President Bill Butcher, Treasurer Bridget Van Eekeren, Secretary
Honorary Board
Julie Curran Joan Dobrez Carlton & Linda Fisk Sen. Debbie Halvorson Judith Hanzelin, RN		Manny & Judy Hoffman Patricia McDonald Judy Svancarek Carol Van Tuyle

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