Queen of the Valley Foundation supports cancer survivors at Reach for the Stars, The Queen’s Celebration

Queen of the Valley Foundation presents its 24th annual Reach for the Stars, The Queen’s Celebration luncheon and fashion show Saturday, April 15, at the Silverado Resort and Spa. A celebration of life, the annual event brings together individuals living with cancer, friends and family, physicians, care providers and community members.

The centerpiece of the luncheon is a fashion show, with cancer survivors modeling clothing from local stores, including Cake Plate Boutique, Chico’s, Danielle, Helen Lyall, Ielle, Mustard Seed Clothing, Scott Lyall, Sisters Boutique, Target and Williamson & Co. Paige Smith, co-owner of Cake Plate and a cancer survivor herself, serves as production coordinator; Kathy Templeton, Cindi Dwyer, Lynne Hobaugh and Myrna Andrews are co-chairs for this year’s event.

Reach for the Stars, The Queen’s Celebration was established in 1993 to raise funds for new equipment and technologies that support cancer care at Queen of the Valley Medical Center. The funds raised at the event help support services for cancer care, including fully funding the Cancer Wellness Program so patients can participate free of charge. The 12-week program includes everything from supervised progressive exercise with a personal trainer, to nutrition counseling, stress management, acupuncture and healing touch — whatever participants need to make their experience of undergoing treatment the best it can be under the circumstances. Since it launched in 2007, nearly 900 patients have benefited from the Cancer Wellness Program, which is open to all cancer patients who live in Napa County, regardless of where they are being treated or if they have insurance and all patients from areas outside of Napa who receive cancer treatment services at the Queen.

This year, Mayor Jill Techel will be honored at the event. A breast cancer survivor, Jill had a mastectomy at the Queen in 1998. She turned that experience into an opportunity to look at the world with fresh eyes and recommitted to a life of public service. Jill has called Napa home since 1971. Over the years, she has developed a reputation for her tireless work ethic while serving in numerous elected roles and with organizations throughout the community.

Sponsors of this year’s Reach for the Stars, The Queen’s Celebration include Ed and Linda Barwick, Your Home Nursing Services, Peju Province, Jackie and George Altamura, Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Radiology Medical Group of Napa, Mary Cunningham-Agee & William Agee, Bank of Napa, Anne and Richard Bennett/Dorothy and John Salmon, Kenzo Estate, The Doctors Company, Diane Wilsey, Cake Plate Boutique, Rohn Grazer and Susan Plant.

Queen of the Valley has achieved high recognition for its outstanding cancer programs. It is the only hospital in the area to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and is the recipient of a three-year accreditation in radiation oncology — representing the highest level of quality and patient safety — from the American College of Radiology.

This event offers an opportunity to “Buy a Star” in honor of someone who has been touched by cancer. Stars will be displayed at the event for all attendees to view. To reserve a Star, please call Queen of the Valley Foundation at (707) 257-4044 or visit www.queensfoundation.org.

About Queen of the Valley Medical Center

Queen of the Valley Medical Center is a 208-bed, acute-care facility founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. The Queen is the largest health care facility and one of the largest employers in Napa County. Services provided include a Regional Heart Center, a Regional Orthopedic Center, a Regional Cancer Center approved with commendations by the American College of Surgeons, the Peggy Herman Neuroscience Center, maternity and infant care, inpatient and outpatient minimally invasive surgery, and a full-service emergency department, among many other specialty services. More information about Queen of the Valley Medical Center can be found at www.thequeen.org.

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