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 and Strategic Partnerships

Leela Woods

Controller

Johann Diel, MSW

Donor Development Administrator

Camerina Schwartz

Communications & Outreach Manager

Jenna Slabodnick

Event & Development Manager

Lea Soto

Guest Services Manager

Jeannine Suibielski

Guest 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: Doing Cancer Solo 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 Weitzman Iser Kump LLP

Claudia DeCea Board Vice President
President, Healthcare Compliance Solutions

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

Mark Walberg Board Secretary
Television Host, Antiques Roadshow & Actor

BOARD

Jennifer Brooks
President, B Water & Beverages, Inc.

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

Christopher Dukes
President, Dukes Wealth Management

Ilyanne Morden Kichaven

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