With Shared Support, It’s Smoother Sailing

Ginny and Warner Moore

(Ginny and Warner Moore of Queen Valley, Arizona)

OVER THE years, Warner and Ginny Moore have spent a lot of quality time on their San Diego-based sailboat Golden Girl.  With a twinkle in her eye, Ginny likes to say, “Our boat sleeps six…eight, if you’re friendly!”  In 1989, the Moores began to fulfill a long held dream of sailing full-time.  After three years on the “high seas,” they settled in Queen Valley, Arizona and anticipated other adventures in their retirement.

Cancer wasn’t among them, but it entered their lives in November 2004 when Ginny, an RN who once worked in the oncology unit at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Her husband Warner says, “I knew that it was our problem and that we would handle it as we have many other challenges – together.”

During Ginny’s chemo treatments, Warner heard about The Wellness Community and discovered that they held support groups for both participants and caregivers at the same time.  Ginny found “lifelong friends” and unconditional support in both her weekly group and the monthly ovarian networking group. Among other things, Warner learned that it’s your loved one that has the diagnosis: one’s job as a caregiver is to help your loved ones realize their hopes…and not yours.

Ginny was delighted to learn about The Wellness Community’s “Writing for Wellness” class held on the first, third, and fifth Monday of each month.  She finds writing and keeping her thoughts in a journal therapeutic.  “When you share your writing with others,” says Ginny, “you form a special bond.”  When Ginny’s chemo treatments ended and she gained her strength back, she and Warner made a commitment to volunteer their time.  Their role as facilitators for “Newcomers Orientation” keeps them connected to the important work at hand. 

“If we can help others through our example and encourage participation in The Wellness Community’s many programs,” they shared, “then we feel good.”

For more information, visit The Wellness Community at www.thewellnesscommunity.org.