The Mission of The Wendy Larks Foundation is to promote cancer awareness and to support the mental, physical and emotional well being of cancer victims. As in any organization, we have to decide how best to direct the generosity of our donors to achieve this mission. As a growing organization, we have many areas we would like to be able to contribute to, and programs that we would like to create. Of course this is not yet possible, so we decided to begin by creating a limited number of programs areas that we will support.
 

The Wendy Larks Foundation is focused on helping those that may not have the means to help themselves. The Foundation does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, gender, creed, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation, education, political orientation or physical limitation.
 

In addition to the following areas, Wendy was committed to raising the level of breast cancer awareness, so we are continuously involved in trying to educate and make people aware of issues, risks and other developments related to breast cancer, and to keep breast cancer as a current topic of conversation.

1. Mammograms
   The Wendy Larks Foundation works with Medical Imaging of Northbrook Court to provide mammograms for people who cannot afford the exam. Patients should be referred by their physician's office to TWLF for financial assistance. We work with Medical Imaging of Northbrook Court to facilitate payment on behalf of the patient.
   
   For more information, please contact Jill at (847) 202-1902.
    
2. Wigs
   The Wendy Larks Foundation works with various wig establishments, including Hair Response in Arlington Heights, to allow cancer patients with no insurance or whose insurance does not cover wigs to obtain a wig. Wigs may also be obtained through Patient Navigation Services, a program of the American Cancer Society, detailed below.
   
   For more information, contact Jill at (847) 202-1902.
    
3. One Step At A Time Camp - operated by Children's Oncology Services, Inc.
   "Children's Oncology Services, Inc. (COSI) is a not-for-profit charitable corporation dedicated to helping children with cancer and leukemia lead a "normal" life. This goal is accomplished primarily through the One Step At A Time camps and other programs, and by providing educational, social and physical development services to children with cancer and leukemia, regardless of their ability to pay."
   
   Wendy was introduced to the One Step At A Time Camp by a close friend who volunteers there as a counselor. After visiting an Open House in 2000, Wendy wanted to volunteer as well, but she never got the opportunity, as her own cancer took her too soon. One Step At A Time Camp does not ask the families of children attending the camp to pay the actual cost of attending. Instead, they pay a much lower "tuition", which is often partially or completely waived based on need.
   
   The Wendy Larks Foundation has made a commitment to support the One Step At A Time Camp by providing funds to allow this practice to continue. You can say we're paying the total cost for some campers to attend, or that we're giving a smaller amount to support a larger number of campers... either way, the camp is doing good things that we want to see continued.
   
   For more information about our Camp program, please contact Jill at (847) 202-1902.
    
4. American Cancer Society - Patient Navigation Services
   The Wendy Larks Foundation works with the American Cancer Society's Patient Navigation Services. This program provides a comprehensive resource for any cancer-related concern, from medical or health care issues to insurance questions to requests for specific support or simple reassurance. The Foundation's relationship helped secure a matching grant in 2005 from the Coleman Foundation to support the Patient Navigation Services program.
   
   For more information about our relationship with The American Cancer Society, contact Jill at (847) 202-1902.
    
5. The Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago
   The Wendy Larks Foundation has partnered with the Cancer Health Alliance of Metropolitan Chicago to provide wigs for patients with need. This association allows us to reach people across the metro area by working with the four Alliance affiliates: Cancer Support Center in Homewood, Wellness Place in Palatine, Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook and Wellness House in Hinsdale. For information, call the Cancer Support Center at (708) 798-9171 or your nearest affiliate.