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Harvey and Alice Diamond stand by a photo of their daughter Jennifer Diamond who died from appendix cancer. Jennifer Diamond didn't know where to turn as there was little infor mation on the condition. Seven years later, her Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation has built a thriving series of cancer wellness libraries across the state, and a software system for easy access. In addition, the Chatsworth foundation works closely with the nationally renowned Wellness Community to offer a range of wellness cancer support groups, yoga, hypnosis and more. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer)

FULFILLING A PROMISE

Fight against cancer is personal

By Dana Bartholomew, Staff Writer

Daily News

http://www.dailynews.com

Posted: 12/20/2010 07:16:00 PM PST 

A week before 30-year-old artist Jennifer Diamond succumbed to a rare cancer eight years ago, she made one request - that her family help others fighting the disease.

Harvey and Alice Diamond and their son Matthew have fulfilled their promise, with the creation of the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation.

The Chatsworth-based nonprofit has launched a string of cancer information libraries and offers a broad range of free bilingual cancer support programs. It also recently opened a broadcasting studio for cancer-related programing. 

"We want to create a peaceful, restful space," said Harvey Diamond, of Westlake Village, brother of singer Neil Diamond and president of the foundation that bears his daughter's name. 

"It's about love," added Alice, its chief financial officer. "There's a huge population that doesn't know we're here. This is an incredible (place)." 

After Jennifer, who grew up in Studio City, contracted a rare form of appendiceal carcinoma, the Diamonds found few resources where they could learn about her illness. So they went to work - gathering books, magazines, articles and videos and creating software. 

The foundation now operates seven cancer libraries - with information on a range of cancers and treatments - inside comfy research nooks at cancer support centers and h ospitals from Palm Springs to San Luis Obispo.    

At least one library has an exclusive support hotline to the National Institute of Health. Since 2002, more than 35,000 cancer patients and families have pored through the foundation's stacks at such facilities as WeSpark in Sherman Oaks, Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank and at The Wellness Community in Westlake Village, where the family found initial support during Jennifer's fatal illness.      

"The idea was to provide libraries so that people could get what they needed," said Harvey Diamond, a businessman and inventor who once owned electronics and whirlpool tub firms. "The focus was to give good, quality information, approved by doctors" - and geared toward the lay person.     

Early this year, the $250,000 nonprofit foundation opened a 15,000-square-foot facility in Chatsworth, courtesy of a building donated by Sudesh Arora of Natel Engineering.     

The center, in sage and white, is a model of serenity and calm - with soft music, leather furniture, bubbling fountains and inviting niches for children and adults.     

It provides bilingual support groups, yoga, stress reduction, self-hypnosis, watercolor classes, quilt and knitting and other programs for hundreds of cancer patients and their families, young and old, courtesy of the nationally renowned Wellness Community.     

"The Jennifer Diamond Foundation has been enormously important," said Marty Nason, vice president of programs for The Wellness Community. "Information is power. It helps make informed decisions. It gives people a sense of confidence.     

"There's a lot of wonderful energy. People are active in their fight for recovery."     

The Diamonds, however, wanted to provide more. So they built a special broadcasting studio to host "The Cancer Health Show," featuring scientists, doctors and celebrities. The foundation programs will be offered at hospitals, support centers and libraries and via podcasts and the Internet.     

On a recent day, a yoga instructor guided a dozen participants through gentle exercises for the mind and body.      

"There's a lot of smiling," said foundation Vice President Matthew Diamond. "That's the bottom line: People have hope."      

The hope includes Zelda Rothman, who had dropped in for some yoga stretches. A survivor of breast cancer, she said she's found peace at the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation.     

"The center is absolutely incredible," said Rothman, a grandmother from Porter Ranch. "It's been a blessing to so many people. "It fills my life with beauty."

For more information

The Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation offers cancer support programs and free library access at 9410 Owensmouth Ave, Chatsworth. Call 818-700-6900 or go to jenniferdiamondfoundation.org.

JDCF OPENS LIBRARY AT FRENCH HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

On Friday, April 4, the Hearst Cancer Resource Center opened its doors to an invitation-only Grand Opening Celebration. This VIP event drew more than 100 attendees who enjoyed inspirational and personal speeches from Tom Vendegna, M.D., Steve Hearst, San Luis Obisbo Supervisor Jerry Lenthall, San Luis Obisbo Mayor Dave Romero and others. A highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of a beautiful donor monument featuring the names of significant donors. The following day, the HCRC welcomed more than 100 community members who toured through the center while learning about its purpose and programs.

The HCRC is a collaborative effort bringing existing community groups such as the American Cancer Society, Cancer Connections, Enhancement, Inc., and the Wellness Community under one roof to provide cancer support and education to our community. The services at the HCRC are completely free to the San Luis Obisbo County community. The HCRC was conceptualized by Dr. Vendegna after his personal battle with cancer. French Hospital Medical Center first received the seed money to create the center from members of the Hearst family. Since then, more donations have been given including $1 million from the Hearst Foundation towards a $4 million endowment fund that will allow the center to be funded indefinitely. From the artwork on the walls, to the wigs and hats, the HCRC is completely funded through donations. A gift received just days before the opening was a multi-media library now named the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Resource Library. The library gives cancer patients and their loved ones access to the latest cancer related books, videos, periodicals, computers and research assistance. 

On June 5, 2008, the Diamond's promise was realized at the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center with the formal opening of the Patient Educationand Outreach Center and Jennifer Diamond Cancer Resource Library. The library is the sixth of its kind to be funded by the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation, a fundraising and outreach organization created by Jennifer during her illness.

The library is housed at the Patient Education and Outreach Center, a state-of-the-art cancer resource facility of the Cancer Center devoted to patients, their families and community members seeking information about cancer. With support from the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Services, the center also performs outreach activities and conducts informational programs relevant to the communities it serves.

The center also features computers, reference books, printers, DVDs and Internet access. In addition to manual and computerized information, the center ha s live phone help with specialized counselors with training from the NCI, a patient navigation information system and trained volunteers to assist with access to cancer-related resources.

"We not only have scientific and medical experts here; we also have dedicated volunteers; we have very experienced health educators and health promotion specialists, and we have very experienced cancer patients who want to give back," said Diana Chingos, chair of the Cancer Survivorship Advisory Council.

The Jennifer Diamond Cancer Resource Library is located on the ground level of the Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower. Level G, Suite 501. It is open daily from 10 am to 3 pm and is staffed by volunteers and USC/Norris staff.

SAILBOAT REGATTA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2009 strong>

The Seventh Annual Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation Sailboat Regatta and Fundraiser will be held at the Del Rey Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, California. For more information, contact Lee Lewis at (310) 420-1362.