Beach charity - 23rd Annual Celebrate Wellness

“You can’t sail a ship in a storm by yourself; you need others to help you,” keynote speaker Harvey Swartz told over 500 guests at the 23rd Annual Celebrate Wellness food and beverage tasting on Sunday, June 23 at the South Coast Botanic Garden.

Surgeons rebuilt Swartz’s tongue with tissue from his right arm after he lost 75 percent of his tongue to cancer. He credited CSCRB therapist and co-founder Anne Clary with helping him to regain regained confidence and self-esteem.

“Before coming to the Cancer Support Community I was haunted by the memory of the person that I was before my cancer diagnosis, but I am now happy to be the person I am today thanks to the help I received there.”

Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand also addressed the crowd. Brand was recently diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to his brain.

“I marched right down to PSCRB and they are bigger, stronger and more available for everybody than I could ever have imagined,” said Brand. “I feel so honored to be the mayor of the city that houses the Cancer Support Community.”

For more information about CSCRB’s free educational and support programs for cancer patients and their loved ones, call 310 376-3550 or visit the website CancerSupportRedondoBeach.org.

Photos by Teresa Plakos