About Us

WeSPARK Cancer Support Center enhances the quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones. WeSPARK provides free programs and services, which alleviate the physical and emotional side effects of a cancer diagnosis.

Our Founder

Wendie Jo Sperber, our Founder, was an actress, mother and breast cancer warrior. When she was diagnosed in 1997, she was devastated, yet determined to live. She soon realized that although the physical treatment was difficult, the hardest battle was to be fought on the emotional front. Wendie’s dream was to open an independently-run cancer support center in a home-like setting. In the fall of 2001, she opened WeSPARK and her dream came true. WeSPARK is a special place dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients, their families and friends.

Our Facility

Staff

Nancy Allen

Executive Director

Marlene McGuirt

Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships

Leela Woods

Controller

Johann Diel, MSW

Donor Development Administrator

Camerina Schwartz Davidson

Communications & Outreach Manager

Lea Soto

Program Manager

Mechelle Bollon

Guest Services Manager

Donna Zevallos

Event & Development Coordinator
Guest Services Coordinator

Our Clinicians

Marie Ritz, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Director

Anita Langer, MA, LMFT

Facilates: Caregivers and In Treatment Support Groups

Jaime Allen, AMFT

Facilitates: Children and Young Adult Support Groups

Jessica Torres, Psy.D, LMFT

Facilitates: Family Member Grief Support Group

Leila Costa, LMFT

Facilitates: Ongoing/Metastatic, Partner Grief and Post Treatment Support Groups

Marcy Polsky, LCSW

Facilitates: Partner Grief Support Group

Valerie Garett, LMFT

Facilitates: Breast Cancer Support Group

Board of Directors & Officers 2019

BOARD OFFICERS

Scott Williams Board President
Executive Producer, NCIS (CBS)

Chad Fitzgerald Past Board President
Attorney at Law, Partner, Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir, LLP

Claudia DeCea Board Vice President
President, Healthcare Compliance Solutions

Steven Glodney Board Treasurer
Retired Partner, Mann, Gelon, Glodney, Gumerove, Yee, LLP

Mark Walberg Board Secretary
Television Host, Antiques Roadshow & Temptation Island

BOARD

Jennifer Brooks
President, B Water & Beverages, Inc.

Allan Dietrich
Senior Vice President & Manager, California Bank and Trust

Jen Bies Duffy
Executive Producer, Vice President, Bies Family Foundation

Christopher Dukes
President, Dukes Wealth Management

Ilyanne Morden Kichaven
Retired Executive Director, Screen Actors Guild – Los Angeles

Sharlene Miyagishima
Vice President, Triple T&S Enterprises

Karen Morin
Founder , LA Patient Advocates

Arthur Toretzky
Talent Agent/Founder, AMT Artists, Inc.

Supporters 2022

Supporters 2021

Supporters 2020

Supporters 2019