Name of organization:
Nancy’s List
Mission statement:
No one will ever go through cancer alone.
Year(s) established:
2008 Nancy’s List
2011 Nancy’s Club
Executive Director/ Contact person:
Address:
Nancy Novack, Ph.D.
240 Almonte Boulevard
Mill Valley, California 94941
Web address:
www.nancyslist.org
E-mail address:
nancy@nancyslist.org
Phone number:
415. 383.3058
501 (c)(3) EIN number:
20 – 5899826
Request:
A $10,000 donation to our program, Nancy’s Club,
for children and teens whose lives are touched by
cancer, be it their own diagnosis or that of
someone they love. This grant will help to support
our efforts to expand our outreach to more children
and their families and provide




Special days of fun and joy
Community forums for the parents on issues of
importance
Psychological counseling for families
A newly designed website appropriate for the
youngsters with interactive capabilities, local
and national support resources, an expanded
calendar of events, and stories from other
children with similar challenges.
Politicos have Emily’s List and homeowners have Angie’s List. Everyone else has Craig’s List. People with
cancer and their loved ones have Nancy’s List.
DESCRIPTION OF NANCY’S LIST and NANCY’S CLUB
Purpose: To enhance the quality of life for those who are impacted by cancer
Our objectives are directed by these facts:

Despite remarkable advances in cancer treatment for children, cancer kills more children than
any other disease.

According to the California Cancer Registry, more than 1,500 children and youth under the age of
20 are diagnosed with cancer each year in California. Of these, over 1,100 are under the age of
15.

In the past 20 years, the prevalence of pediatric cancer has risen 29%.

The average length of cancer treatment for children is 3 years, by comparison with a 1-year
average for adults.

These youngsters are a “hidden high-risk group” for emotional difficulties, low self-esteem,
depression and anxiety. Parents of these children often suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder.

Research from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and other pediatric oncology institutions
supports a growing body of evidence that children’s adaptive style in the face of life-altering
trauma can be advanced by targeted psychological therapeutic care, support groups, family
bonding experiences, and new friends through broadened horizons. Scope of services:

A website of local and national cancer resources, local support groups, medication assistance
programs, advocacy support, financial resources, information and support for various diagnoses,
listings of community partners who volunteer and donate their services, a calendar of events for
youth and adults, invitations to events sponsored by Nancy’s List and Nancy’s Club .

Community forums for the parents with experts in the field of family dynamics and pediatric
cancer challenges … talking to our children about their own diagnosis or that of a loved one, the
changing role of the siblings, and more. We anticipate that support systems for the parents and
caregivers will develop.

Activities for all age groups to provide a break from living with cancer, which include adventures
for fun, support, and community determined by age and skill level (sailing, paddle boarding,
kayaking, nature hikes, museum outings, sporting events, picnics). Many events are
designed for
the siblings.

Family counseling for the youngsters living with cancer, their siblings, and parents, either on
an
individual basis or, most preferably, as an entire family system. Areas/ Populations served:
The direct service population resides in all counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. Many outside
of this immediate area use the local and national resources listed on the website. Nearly 8,000
persons around the world visit the website each month (Google Analytics). I do psychological
counseling with individuals who live around the world.
In 2011, nearly 1,500 children and teens, their siblings, and parents used the services of Nancy’s
Cub through our activities, the website, community forums, and family counseling. Club
members range in age from 3 years to 24 years. We anticipate that we will serve over 3,000
youngsters in 2013.
The direct service population in 2011 was approximately
•
60% female and 40% male
•
45% Caucasian, , 15% African-Americans, 15% Latino/ Latina, 15% Asian- Americans,
10% mixed race
•
3% 0-5 years, 20% 6-11 years, 20% 12-17 years, 17% 18-24 years, 20% 25-44 years,
15% 45-64 years, 5% 65 years
Plans for evaluation:
We assess our progress by the number of individuals and families who use our services, as
well as the number and kind of requests for specific services from our partners in the cancer
community. More importantly, since this is a program dealing with “quality of life,” we are
directed by various forms of feedback, including surveys, anecdotal responses from the
participants and healing professionals, and letters from the children and their families. DESCRIPTION OF GRANT REQUEST:
We request $10,000 for program support to fund Nancy’s Club. Our goal is core sustainability and growth,
correspondent with the high level of requests from families, pediatric oncologists, social caseworkers, and
other healing professionals. Our service population has significantly increased with the launching of
partnerships with UCSF, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, Oakland Children’s Hospital, Kaiser
Permanente in Oakland, the American Cancer Society, and The Leukemia Society. Their requests far
exceed our capacity to deliver.
How your grant will be used:
We need to expand the offerings of “adventures” for this population, since the youth are so responsive to
these experiences, particularly to the activities on water (i.e., sailing, kayaking). It seems appropriate that
the funds from Nordstrom Cares be used for family activities that build self-esteem, bravery,
determination, and strengthen their spirits.
Many have asked me to speak of Nancy’s List. I had the opportunity to do that this summer at The
Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. I have included pieces of that conversation.
Nancy’s List is a “hands-on” grassroots community movement to meet the epidemic of cancer in the San
Francisco Bay Area. This is what distinguishes Nancy’s List from other cancer organizations. We know that
we cannot rely on the healthcare system to focus on the many emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual
challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. We CAN rely on our humanity. We CAN reach out and
support the courage, bravery, and resilience of our neighbors.
Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. It had metastasized to my liver. In cancer
scientific terminology, they often speak of citrus fruits. My right ovary was the size of a grapefruit … quite
amazing that I didn’t know that. My liver was twice the size it was allowed to be. This is an atypical
presentation for ovarian cancer, and it is most often lethal. I had 21 very aggressive chemo treatments,
mixed in with many complications. Despite the incredibly frightening information about ovarian cancer on
the Internet, the eulogies from my nearest and dearest, I always knew I would make it. I am the luckiest
lady in the world. I truly enjoy defying medical statistics AND being the poster child for Stanford’s Cancer
Center. I am “cured” of ovarian cancer.
I created Nancy's List in 2008 as my "love letter" to the universe, an expression of my profound gratitude
for my miraculous recovery and my life.
I was always blessed with a magnificent "A-team." These lovely people held my hand and my heart
throughout the challenging journey. I had an amazing oncologist who unwaveringly cared deeply abut my
recovery. The first night at Stanford, he said, “Hang on tight. This is a bleak diagnosis and it will be a rocky
ride. I am with you.”
During my intense, grueling, and very long treatment, whenever I had the opportunity, I invited patients
to tell me their stories. They shared feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. They worried about being
present and honest with their children and not knowing what to say to them, about telling their
employers that they had cancer and feared that they would lose their jobs, about the likelihood of
bankruptcy and foreclosure, about the loss of insurance or the inability to pay for their medications. They
deeply suffered feelings of isolation, fear, distrust, anger, and profound sadness.
I vowed to make a difference for the many who are living with cancer, those who love and care for them,
and, particularly, for the children, the ones who have a cancer diagnosis or love someone who has. I knew
I could bring my skills as a psychologist specializing in family systems, the generosity and inspiration of my
oncologist, the open hearts of my loved ones who brought meaning to my journey, to the simple and
profound wish and mission, NO ONE WILL EVER GO THROUGH CANCER ALONE.
I consulted with the Bay Area professional cancer community to find out what was being offered cancer
patients and their families, and what was the "missing piece" so that I could determine my contribution. I
decided to develop a pilot program in Marin, which hopefully could be replicated in any community facing
the complexity of the cancer epidemic.
I initially set out to create a website with a "list" of financial resources, which had been a "missing piece"
for many patients and for myself. And then ... it began ... and continues every day. My research turned to
finding healing resources and support groups for the various diagnoses. I became interested in legal and
employment rights, medication assistance and advocacy programs, alternative healing modalities,
caregivers and their needs, hospice and end-of-life and grieving and mourning. I added a calendar of the
healing events presented throughout the Bay Area. This is available on the website www.NancysList.org
The "list" was launched in February 2008 and was immediately endorsed by the professional healing
community, patients, and their families. The media was enormously generous and published several
terrific pieces about the project. Magically, we were on the map. I established partnerships with all the
cancer treatment centers in the Bay Area. Many cancer hospitals across the country refer newlydiagnosed patients to the Nancy’s List website.
I was so encouraged by this recognition and, yet, at the same time, I knew that a website was not
adequate. I wanted to use my skills and experience in more innovative and personalized ways.
I then set out to motivate the community, to meet the crisis together. Nancy’s List is a community “call-
to-action”.
At that very time, a group of amazing women in their 30s appeared in my life, quite serendipitously. They
were very concerned that cancer had invaded so many young women’s lives. They wanted to help. They
called themselves Nancy’s Angels. What better way to open hearts and minds and awareness than to
throw a party! They organized Splashes and Love Fests and truly raised the mindfulness and the spirit of
our community.
At our first Love Fest, I said, "It takes a village to deal with the enormity of the cancer crisis in our
community, so I want to build one to do that.” I placed clipboards around the party room in Sausalito
asking for sign-ups ... to take their neighbors to treatment, to baby-sit their children, to walk the family
dog, to prune the roses, to prepare and deliver healthy meals, and more. EVERYONE GOT IT!
Neighborhoods organized fundraisers to help out their neighbors. Businesses and healers donated their
services, venues, and products. We organized community forums addressing issues of importance ...
cancer-fighting nutrition, speaking with our children when a parent is diagnosed, exercise, alternative
healing choices, sex after cancer. We formed a book club at Book Passage. Cancer-specific fitness
programs developed throughout the Bay Area. We went on nature hikes at Audubon Canyon Ranch. Rock
stars (old-timers, newcomers, and teens from the Marin high schools) gave fund-raising concerts. The San
Francisco Giants hosted children living with cancer … and they won the game with our support! The kids
went to the Children’s Creativity Museum and had a blast. Teens at Marin Catholic High School gave a
bake sale. Branson School teens prepared and delivered meals for cancer families every Friday night
throughout the school year. Through the leadership of one partner, Love Is The Answer, young children
teamed up with seniors at senior centers and made get-well cards for those in the hospital. Mill Valley
Montessori Pre-School organized other pre-schools and created magnificent gift baskets for the children
hospitalized on Valentine's Day. When 4-year-old Siena and I delivered our gifts to UCSF, she said to me,
“My heart feels so big and fat.” A cancer survivor in Reno donated 75 Christmas teddy bears to the
children hospitalized at Stanford. One teen organized an all-county high school tennis tournament to raise
awareness about cancer in the teen population. For me, it is especially gratifying when children and teens
open their hearts to other children and teens who are living with cancer.
This is exactly what is spectacular about Nancy’s List. Community partnerships make this program work
for so many in need. Cancer patients are truly moved by the “generosity of strangers.” There are a lot of
angels in our midst. Through our programs, cancer patients and their loved ones find community,
strength, courage, healing relationships, and they laugh a lot. That’s what it is all about.
I am a clinical psychologist, specializing in family dynamics. I receive phone calls and e-mails from cancer
patients around the world. Some wish to connect with a woman who lived through ovarian stage 4
cancer. Many are concerned about their children and partners. They need an advocate to navigate the
medical system. Many want to talk about how to live and how to die. Everyone wants HOPE.
More families came into my psychology practice. Children spoke their truth. Susie, a 12-year-old girl, who
had been adopted from Tijuana by California parents, lost her father to cancer and was terribly worried
that her mother was now battling cancer. She asked me, "If my mom dies, will I be an orphan again and
get sent back to Mexico?” Johnny, another12-year-old, told me, "My mom is sick again with cancer for the
3rd time and my dad is drinking like a fish. I am afraid they are both going to die. Help me find a way to
make him stop!"
I decided to launch a program to give these children and their families a break, to find ways to have fun
and share joy with loved ones that would stay in their hearts forever more. Reaching out to the children
and teens opened the opportunity to touch the entire family. This program is Nancy's Club.
Sailing is the vehicle and the metaphor. Through brilliant partnerships with local sailors and organizations,
we introduce many many children and their families to the healing power of the sea.
Most of the children who sail with us have leukemia. For children, treatment for leukemia is a very long
process, oftentimes 3 years, with many hospitalizations and complications.
I would like to introduce you to the shining faces of children of courage.
Harry, age 3, was diagnosed with leukemia at 6 months of age.
Harry has spent most of his life in the hospital. We thought he was
too young to sail on Diane’s boat so he was scheduled to play on
the beach with his mom, Katie, while his 6-year-old brother Jack
and his dad would sail with us. Harry took one look at the boat,
heard the plan, and would have none of it.
He threw the loudest temper tantrum ever. He demanded that he
sail. Everyone looked at me. I looked and listened to Harry. His
fierce tenacity, his bravery, his determination were so powerful. I
asked the crew to rig up a life jacket for this little indomitable
superman and off Harry sailed. When Diane positioned him
behind the wheel, Harry felt his courage. He looked straight into
my eyes and said, "Today is the happiest day of my life." Katie,
Harry’s mom, said to me, “What an uplifting, wonderful
experience for our whole family after 3 years of anguish.”
Gal, 9-years-old, arrived in California from Israel only 6 weeks
before she was diagnosed with leukemia.
When Gal came to Captain Richard’s
boat with her mother and brother, we
all looked at one another with grave
trepidation. She seemed so frail and
fragile and frightened. She couldn’t
make eye contact with any of us.
But something happened that was quite
magical. By the end of the sail, Gal was
singing and smiling. Her mother, Hagit,
told me that Gal said, “When I am
sailing with you and my brother, I forget
I even have cancer.”
We sailed with a group of teens in treatment from Children’s Hospital in Oakland.
The sister of a young girl told me, "Nesrene’s sarcoma has frozen her jaw.
She cannot swallow. She cannot chew. She has a feeding tube. She no longer
can smile.”
Quite by intuition, I asked Nesrene to stand at the helm and steer the boat.
Almost instantaneously, she smiled the most brilliant smile. Her loving family
cried.
Her father said to me, "I never supposed that Nesrene never smiled because
she was so sad."
Ivy Batmale has truly inspired my passion and commitment to this project.
Ivy and her family and many of her adorable friends come on every
sail. She delights with her
I feisty spirit and her love for the ocean. She
has had a really rough path with her leukemia and has temporarily
lost the use of her legs because of her treatment. The awesome love
and support from her family and community have strengthened her
courage and spirit and opened all of our hearts.
"I love everyone when I am sailing," said Ivy, age 7, wonder woman.
Her she-bear mom, Suzanne, said to me, "When we are with Nancy's
Club kids, gratitude takes a front seat and human connection is the
only thing that absolutely matters. I love Nancy's Club. The Club has
saved Ivy’s spirit and probably her life."
There is healing power in belonging to a larger community, especially when one is dealing with
cancer and experiencing fear and uncertainty, loneliness and isolation, and despair. It means
everything to know your neighbors are looking out for you, to share pleasure with your loved ones,
to meet kindred spirits along the way.
It does take a village to deal with this crisis, AND we are building a magnificent one.
With immense gratitude,
Nancy Novack, Ph.D.
And now, if you missed this amazing moment, Ivy (the 7-year-old with the orange balloon and popsicle),
posted this message at the Corte Madera Rec Center on the last day of her protracted treatment for
leukemia …
I am an alumnus of UC-Berkeley and the California Gradate School of Psychology where I earned my
doctorate degree in clinical psychology, specializing in family systems. I have received the following
recognition and awards:
Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Tour of California Honoree, 2008, 2009
“Rising Suns of Marin”, 2008.
The feature article in the Pacific Sun was called “Rising Suns: The life list” with the caption “Nancy
Novack’s online resource list is putting the “can” back into cancer ….”
American Cancer Society Marin County Chapter Gala Honoree for inspirational service to the
cancer community, 2010
California Dialogue on Cancer: Preventing Cancer & Saving Lives through Collaboration
Recognition “In appreciation of your contributions and commitment to comprehensive cancer
control efforts in California”
Hero of Courage award from the Pacific Sun and Circle Bank, 2011 “for her selfless devotion and,
as a survivor, being a symbol of hope for countless more throughout the world”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS
DIRECTORS
Russ Messing, Ph.D.
Chair
P.O. Box 2246
Healdsburg, California 95448
707 433-2080
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Santa Rosa
Co-Founder of Synergy Schools in San Francisco
Philanthropist
Nancy Novack, Ph.D.
Vice-Chair
240 Almonte Boulevard
Mill Valley, California 94941
415 383-3058
Founder and Executive Director of Nancy’s List
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Mill Valley
Cancer Survivor
Steven R. Baum
Secretary-Treasurer
11750 Wilshire Boulevard #1350
Los Angeles, California 90025
310 899-7326
Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Ivory Capital Group in Los Angeles
ADVISORS
Susan Braun
CEO of the V Foundation for Cancer Research near Raleigh, North Carolina
Formerly the Executive Director of Commonweal Cancer Help Program, Executive Director of The
American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Foundation, President and CEO of the CURE Media Group,
President and CEO of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and worked at Bristol-Myers Squibb
and the Center for Economic Studies in Medicine.
Ms. Braun has served on boards or committees for several organizations, including the American Society
for Breast Disease, World Society of Breast Health, AmeriCorps NCCC, Intercultural Cancer Council, and
the ASCEND Foundation.
Diane Brandon MA
Cancer Resource Specialist at the Marin Cancer Institute of Marin General Hospital
Karin Gaensler MD
University of California at San Francisco Medical Center
A specialist in hematology-oncology with a special interest in gene therapy
Rachel Remen MD
Co-Founder and Medical Director, Commonweal Cancer Help Program
Founder and Director, Institute for the Study of Health and Illness
Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco School of
Medicine
Author, Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather's Blessings
Regan Fedric
Cancer Exercise Specialist at University of California-San Francisco Hospital, Bay Club Marin and San
Francisco, Charlotte Maxwell Clinic
Program Coordinator of the Western Athletic Clubs IMPACT Program for persons living with cancer
Co-founder of Sunflower Wellness
Suzanne Batmale
Mother of Ivy, a 7-year-old leukemia patient