The Women’s Cancer Awareness Group provides programs, resources for women affected by cancer, information on risk factors and symptoms, volunteer opportunities, news and media, and events all geared toward raising cancer awareness, and supporting survivors (We consider everyone a survivor from date of diagnosis).
Mission Statement
The Women’s Cancer Awareness Group (WCAG) is dedicated to creating support programs for cancer survivors and increasing awareness of women’s cancers. WCAG is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
History
Women’s Cancer Awareness Group (WCAG) was founded in 2003 by Lydia Zipp, Rita Wyrick, and Phaedra Malatek in Petaluma, CA. In that same year, we became a partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) in addition to collaborating with the Cancer Center Library in Santa Rosa. During an annual conference held by OCNA in San Francisco, WCAG sold bracelets to encourage women to start a conversation about their experience with cancer. The unique bracelets encouraged women to tell their stories which inspired WCAG to continue to “Raise awareness, one conversation at a time.”
WCAG Board of Directors
Left to right: Carla Wietgrefe, Cathy Macy, Kris Irvine, Lydia Zipp, Executive Director, Phoebe Bixler, Robin Jones, Samar Hattar.
WCAG Advisory Board
Leslie Hayden-Malloy, Ph.D.
Leslie is a board certified clinical nutritionist offering nutritional health and wellness programs. In addition to her teaching schedule at San Francisco State University and Santa Rosa Junior College, she assists clients with optimum nutrition for chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease and IBS. Because of illness in her own family, Leslie is especially passionate about using nutrition for prevention of serious health conditions. Dr. Hayden-Malloy is a longtime supporter of WCAG as a committee volunteer for “Day for Women” and as a speaker to various WCAG events and educational programs. Leslie loves to spend time with family, hike, read and go to movies. Her website is www.mynutritionnow.com.
Catherine Held, Ph.D.
Catherine is a psychologist, author and art therapist who has worked with cancer survivors for more than fifteen years combining mind-body therapies. She is author of Delia’s Book: Guidance for Cancer Healing, a helpful guide for patients and loved ones navigating cancer treatment. Dr. Held facilitates WCAG’s “What Next” Creativity group for post-treatment cancer survivors using art therapy and equine guided education techniques. In addition to speaking and other volunteer work for WCAG, Dr. Held has assisted WCAG with grant funding and strategic planning drawing on her extensive experience in non-profit management. Catherine loves making art, travel and spending time with her family. Her website is www.ancestorsway.com.
Bridget Mackay, JD
Bridget is a Petaluma attorney specializing in estate planning, probate and trust administration for the greater Sonoma, Marin and Napa areas. Practicing since 1996, she has previous experience as a Deputy District Attorney for both Solano and Sonoma counties. She is a board member of Sonoma County Women in Law and the Cinnabar Arts Corporation. Bridget enjoys spending time with her family and lowering her Fran Time. Her website is www.bridgetmackaylaw.com
Laura Norton, MD
Laura is a breast surgeon with Redwood Regional Medical Group serving patients from Santa Rosa to southern Sonoma and northern Marin counties. Widely published, her training included a prestigious certified breast fellowship at John Wayne Cancer Institute at St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica and training with one of the major developers of the sentinel lymph node concept. Dr. Norton has been a popular speaker for WCAG at Day for Women and other events. Laura loves spending time with her family and friends, running, yoga, Pilates, and exploring all that the North Bay has to offer.
C. Bethan Powell, MD
Bethan is a gynecological oncologist with Kaiser Permanente’s San Francisco Medical Center. Her areas of special interest include advanced surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgery, ovarian cancer, and cancer risk and prevention. A longtime support of WCAG, she has been awarded “Best Doctors in America” and “Best Bay Area Doctors.” Bethan loves spending time with family in nature. Her website is http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pages/c16193-top.html