VOLUNTEER'S SPIRIT, EFFORTS RECOGNIZED.Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer THOUSAND OAKS Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. - As a breast cancer survivor herself, Judy Bennis knows the range of emotions that women experience when they are diagnosed, and the need for support from those around them. That's why Bennis has spent hundreds of hours sewing scarves - 600 of them - for local women undergoing chemotherapy, and volunteering for Reach to Recovery, an American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, program in which breast cancer survivors Cancer survivors are those individuals with cancer of any type, current or past, who are still living. The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) pioneered the definition of survivor as from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life, a person diagnosed with talk to women who have been newly diagnosed. ``We're there to offer support because we've been there,'' said Bennis. Her efforts earned the Oxnard resident special recognition Thursday at a fund-raising program co-sponsored by BMW BMW in full Bayerische Motoren Werke AG German automaker. Founded as an aircraft engine manufacturer in 1916, the company assumed the name Bayerische Motoren Werke and became known for its high-speed motorcycles in the 1920s. of North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which raises money for breast cancer research. Bennis, a health and physical education teacher at Thousand Oaks High School Thousand Oaks High School is a high school established in 1962 and located in Thousand Oaks, California. It is a California Distinguished School, and offers curriculum at all levels for Thousand Oaks students. The mascot is the lancer. , said she started making the scarves on Mother's Day 1999, as a tribute to her mother, Zelda Bennis, who died 10 years earlier of a glandular cancer that spread to her brain. The scarves are donated to the Cancer Center in Oxnard and the Oxnard office of her oncologist, Ann Kelley. ``I wish I could supply the whole world with scarves, but doing it in Oxnard alone feels really good,'' said Bennis. ``If I can increase cancer prevention and get students to participate in volunteer work, there's nothing better. I know my mom must be smiling right now.'' Bennis' good works are known throughout the campus, where she has taught for 29 years. ``Judy is one of the most giving, kindest people you will ever want to meet,'' said fellow health and physical education teacher Jennie Lyle. ``She doesn't take any glory or credit for herself, but she does more good, charitable kindness than anyone I've ever known.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Judy Bennis Volunteerism acknowledged |
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