Cancer Support Community South Bay’s inaugural “Together We Walk” event, held on March 9, 2025, in Long Beach, raised over $52,000 to fund the organization’s free support services and programs for cancer patients and their families. More than 300 participants took part in the 5K course to honor the legacy of Judith Opdahl, the organization’s longtime executive director and CEO.

The event featured a lively expo with local businesses and organizations, offering health resources, food and beverages, and opportunities to connect with the community. Canine companions joined the walk, adding extra enthusiasm to the day. Executive Director and CEO Jillian Van Leuven expressed gratitude, saying, “Whether you are walking in honor of a loved one, running in celebration of survivorship, or simply showing your support, you are making a difference. Because of you, hope continues.” CSC South Bay provides 200 free programs each month of social and emotional support, education and hope for people with cancer and their loved ones. For more information, visit www.CSCSouthBay.org or call (310) 376-3550.

Read More at: palosverdesmagazine.com

The inaugural “Together We Walk” event raised over $52,000 for cancer support, CSC South Bay officials said.

By Christina Merino

Cancer Support Community South Bay — a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 — has served more than 30,000 individuals and provides 200 free programs per month of social and emotional support, education, and hope for people with cancer and their families.

The organization recently hosted its inaugural “Together We Walk” 5K event earlier this month at Shoreline Aquatic Park in Long Beach, bringing together more than 300 attendees to help fundraise for CSC’s various programs, and pay homage to the legacy of Judith Opdahl — the organization’s late executive director and CEO.

CSC serves the South Bay, Long Beach, and Orange County areas, and strives to help as many cancer patients as possible recover from the physical and emotional effects of cancer to the greatest extent possible, according to its website. Their services include weekly support group programs, cancer-specific networking groups, kids’ community programs, individual counseling, stress reduction and healthy lifestyle activities, and more.

The nonprofit has also partnered with MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center for nearly three decades, where the organization offers on-site and online support groups for patients and their families dealing with cancer.

“Together We Walk is more than just a walk or a run; it is a tribute to the incredible legacy of Judith Opdahl, whose leadership and compassion shaped Cancer Support Community South Bay for 25 extraordinary years,” said Jillian Van Leuven, CSC South Bay’s current executive director and CEO, “helping us reach more people in the community we serve.”

Opdahl died at home on Nov. 8, according to CSC spokesperson Theresa Plakos.

Participants walked and ran the 5K course with views of the Queen Mary and the harbor on Sunday, March 9, showing their support for those impacted by cancer. The event featured a lively expo with local businesses and organizations, offering health resources, food and beverages, and opportunities to connect with the community, according to a press release.

“Together We Walk” raised more than $52,000, which will help CSC South Bay expand its reach, and provide essential cancer support services to the Long Beach community while continuing to offer more than 200 free support programs each month for cancer patients and their loved ones, officials said.

“We are so grateful to all of our walkers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and supporters,” Van Leuven said in a statement. “Your presence today is a testament to the power of community. Whether you are walking in honor of a loved one, running in celebration of survivorship, or simply showing your support, you are making a difference. Because of you, hope continues.”

For more information on CSC South Bay’s programs or to contribute to the fundraising efforts, visit cscsouthbay.org.

As Seen in The Grunion

As Seen in Southbay Magazine

Cancer Support Community South Bay (CSC South Bay) shifted to an evening gala for its 27th annual Celebrate Wellness event held on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Westdrift Hotel in Manhattan Beach. The new gala attracted an unprecedented 33 sponsors and successfully generated $340,000 to support the 200 free programs that CSC South Bay offers each month for cancer patients and their loved ones. On-air game host and cancer survivor Kelly Miyahara was the special event host and welcomed a sold-out crowd of 300 guests. During the cocktail hour, attendees perused the silent auction while enjoying live music provided by acoustic artist, Paul Lamire and magic tricks by award-winning magician Aaron O’Brien. The evening continued with dinner, an exciting live auction, dancing and more. Highlighting the program were inspiring words from CSC South Bay participants who expressed gratitude for the positive impact that the organization’s programs had on their lives.

Read More at: palosverdesmagazine.com

Cancer Support Community South Bay hosts its largest fundraiser yet, raising $428,000.

By LISA JACOBS

Guido Rietdyk proclaimed it from the podium on Sunday evening. It was the most attended Celebrate Wellness event ever, said the former board president of Cancer Support Community South Bay.

About 600 people gathered on the greens of South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula for the fundraiser which allows those fighting cancer and their families to attend support sessions free of charge.

And the fundraising figures proved it. According to CSCSB spokesperson Theresa Plakos, it was the most successful Celebrate Wellness event ever produced by the nonprofit, raising $428,000.

Guests were treated to small bites from various food vendors, beverages from wineries, breweries and even latte vendors. And people placed their bids on hundreds of silent auction items.

In between live auction items such as a Montana getaway, dinner for 10 at The Strand House and a Goodyear Blimp ride, CSCSB honored dedicated volunteers.

Rietdyk introduced the crowd to Kyle and Diane Kazan, who were CSCSB’s 2023 Honorees, along with service award recipients Stephen Lottenberg and Ruth Schriebman.

After Diane Kazan shared her experience of finding a cancerous lump while breast feeding, husband Kyle recalled that was also a Sunday night a couple decades ago.

“That Sunday night was like any other night,” Kyle Kazan said. Until the following day, Monday, when everything changed.

Just imagine, Kyle said, if you were to hear the words tomorrow “You have cancer.”

Those three words, he said, changed everything and brought about a “storm of life.” For the Kazans, the programs they attended at CSCSB were like a safe harbor, while insurance companies, doctors, hospitals and others all wanted money. The CSC programs, however, were free.

“All of a sudden,” said Kyle, “It felt like the storm was outside and I was in this tent (of CSCSB).”

And, Kyle added, he hoped noone would ever have to hear “you have cancer.”

But, it’s probably inevitable, he said. And when they did, he pointed to the people inside the giant outdoor tent at the South Coast Botanic Garden and said that’s exactly where one would find support.

Read More at DailyBreeze.com

Kyle Kazan, speaker at the Oct. 22 Cancer Support Community South Bay event, lives life with a constant ‘attitude of gratitude.’

By TYLER SHAUN EVAINS

Diane Kazan was breastfeeding her 6-month-old son when she found the lump.

It could’ve been a clogged milk duct, but she rubbed the spot and it didn’t dissolve.

Her doctor sent her to get a mammogram, something she’d felt too young to have get done at 37 years old. That led to a biopsy in which the radiologist noticed jagged edges.

She was glad that she atypically asked her husband to come with her to the appointment to get the results. It was Dec. 11, 2000, and Diane Kazan had just found out she had breast cancer.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” she said, “My fear was that I was gonna die; I cried for three days.”

Her husband, Kyle Kazan, said that he still remembers the shock of the diagnosis more than 20 years later.

“There’s just no way to prepare for those three words ‘you have cancer,’” Kyle Kazan said.

The former special education teacher and Torrance police officer recalled his wife’s first words after hearing the news: “I don’t want to die; I want to watch my son grow.”

Kyle Kazan for those first three days after the diagnosis was taking all the notes and asking all the questions, he said, as his wife “was blurry, not my usual Diane.”

The 4.5-centimeter tumor found was considered huge, Diane Kazan said, and doctors assumed it had already spread to her brain. She started aggressive chemotherapy treatments after getting several different opinions.

Among those recommendations were the Cancer Support Community South Bay.

Diane joined a breast cancer support group at the organization, while Kyle joined a caregiver group.

“I came out invigorated, as did she, although we were going through something different,” Kyle Kazan said.

It was an intimate space, too.

“If you don’t have the family support, people will come pick you up, go with you to chemo,” he said. “There’s a sisterhood in that breast cancer room.”

Once meetings were over, they’d hang out with other participants, laughing and living their normal lives.

Read More at DailyBreeze.com

BY KRISTIN BORDEN

In 1970, the Kazan family made a life-altering decision to move to the picturesque Palos Verdes Peninsula, fondly referred to as “the Hill.” This choice would go on to shape their lives in ways they could have never imagined. For Kyle and Diane Kazan, the Peninsula became the backdrop of a story marked by strength, community, and a deep commitment to giving back.

Kyle reflects on those early days with a sense of gratitude, “Growing up in this environment was an excellent experience,” he reminisces. The Peninsula offered an exceptional education, the rejuvenating embrace of the fresh ocean air, and an unparalleled sense of safety. As a result, when Diane suggested relocating from a house they had purchased in Redondo Beach to Palos Verdes in 1997, Kyle needed no convincing. He knew it was the ideal place to raise a family.

Diane attended Carson HIgh, while Kyle attended Palos Verdes High School. The PVHS tradtion continued with their oldest son, Keoni, becoming a proud Sea King. “Whichever high school Ikaika selects would make me proud because both have placed academic excellence as the top priority,” Kyle says, acknowledging the educational advantages of the Peninsula.

Their journey with the Cancer Support Community (CSC) South Bay began in 2000, in the midst of life’s unexpected twists. Diane’s breast cancer diagnosis that year was a life-altering moment. As Diane recollects, “When I was diagnosed with cancer on December 11th of 2000, I was in my 30’s with a 6-month-old baby. In other words, I was not prepared, nor was I thinking in any way of hearing someone say, ‘you have cancer!’” Her cancer diagnosis, like for many, was an abrupt stop to her plans and dreams.

However, amidst the turmoil, their lives intersected with CSC South Bay.

Read More at PalosVerdesMagazine.com

The Cancer Support Community South Bay has a couple of new leaders.

Jillian Van Leuven is the nonprofit’s new executive director and CEO, and Kelli Vieweg is the new president of the board of directors, CSC announced recently.

The organization offers more than 200 free support programs monthly for cancer patients and their families, as part of a global network of 170 other locations.

Van Leuven succeeds Jackie Suiter, who took on the role on an interim basis after former CEO Joey Shanahan left the position earlier this year. Suiter will continue to serve as CSC South Bay’s director of development.

In other recent changes, last year, CSCSB was renamed from CSC Redondo Beach and relocated to Rolling Hills Plaza in Torrance after 34 years on the Redondo Beach Pier.

Van Leuven, meanwhile, has more than two decades of experience working in the nonprofit sector, most recently as executive director of Merci, a Los Angeles nonprofit that serves people with developmental disabilities. There, she’s helped grow the organization by creating new services, mentoring and developing staffers, and fostering robust connections with stakeholders.

Long Beach resident Maggie Gallo has a story to tell — about surviving breast cancer.

And the 46-year-old breast cancer survivor is going to do so next month during the Cancer Support Community South Bay’s 25th annual Celebrate Wellness event on July 10. The nonprofit — which offers workshops, support groups and other help to those with cancer — will also celebrate its 35th anniversary during the event.

Gallo’s story centers on how long it took her to find out why she felt she was in ill health — nearly three years.

Gallo had complained to her doctors since December 2017 that she felt something was wrong. But results from a mammogram and ultrasound in early 2018, she said, came back normal.