Taking a stand against cancer, one woman at a time
Breast cancer strikes many of the women we know and care about: our mothers, our sisters, our friends. One such woman is Sandy Sewell.
When Circle 1000 1000 founder Sandy Sewell was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977, it was before the existence of Hoag Cancer Center.
"I was diagnosed by my family doctor," explained Sewell. "You didn't have the team of doctors behind you back then, so I was very lucky to have a good family doctor and a great surgeon, both at Hoag."
Over 10 years later, Sewell was approached by hospital board member Vin Jorgensen and asked to participate in the capital campaign for the new Hoag Cancer Center. Although reluctant at first, Sewell was overcome by Jorgensen's passion for the cause and became convinced of the potential impact on the community.
"He made me stop and think, 'I should do something,'" said Sewell.
Not only did the Sewell family make a personal gift but she made the decision to take a stand against cancer in a bold and unconventional manner.
Pitching her idea to Jorgensen, Sewell warned, "What I want to do has never been done at Hoag."
"My idea was to create a donor support group but eliminate the monthly meetings and committee jobs," explained Sewell. "The women in my age group just didn't have that kind of time anymore. They had children who were becoming teenagers; they wanted to be at home - they were willing to provide support but not the hours. You could join Circle 1000 by making an annual donation in support of the Cancer Center and not have a pressured time involvement."
It took nearly a year to get the wheels in motion, but once it got going, it was off and running. Sewell established a founder's committee of about 15 women. They agreed on a format with a single planning meeting and an annual brunch with a notable key speaker to thank Circle 1000's donors.
"At the first brunch, we announced that about $152,000 was raised, and we thought it was the world," reminisced Sewell. "The success of Circle 1000 since then has been beyond my wildest dreams. This year we received over $814,000 from donors. I never dreamt it would reach as many people in the community as it has reached."
Now, nearly two decades later, the group's goal for 2007 is to raise $1 million for Circle 1000's 20th anniversary year. Hoag's outstanding patient care coupled with innovative programs such as those provided by Hoag Breast Care Center and the cell biology lab help provide the motivation, time and energy that is needed for the group to meet their ambitious objective.
In 1992, Sewell was elected to the Hoag Hospital Foundation Board, serving for eight years. During that time, she also became chair of the donor relations committee. Then in 1999 she stepped up again in a major initiative, as one of the three co-chairs of the Women's Pavilion capital campaign, along with her close friends Ginny Ueberroth and Arden Flamson. The three women helped raise over $70 million in support of the Sue and Bill Gross Women's Pavilion, now a Hoag Hospital landmark.
"Everything I've ever done for Hoag has been a labor of love," said Sewell. "I feel so fortunate that I have been able to do what I could for the hospital. My two children were born at Hoag and three of my grandchildren. Hoag and its doctors saved my life, and gave me these past 29 years to enjoy and be with my family and friends. So what better place for me to give back?"
The hospital, fellow board members, friends and philanthropists admire Sandy's dedication and good-natured spirit. According to hospital board member Ginny Ueberroth, "Sandy Sewell is truly an inspirational leader in our community. She creates lifelong friendships and is one of Hoag's greatest ambassadors. I am honored to have her as a dear friend and admire her efforts on behalf of the health of our community."
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