A PARTICIPANT PROFILE
SUE DELLA MADDALENA
CO-FOUNDER OF THE WELLNESS COMMUNITY and TWO-TIME, 17-YEAR CANCER SURVIVOR"I’m so proud to be here and I wish TWC a very happy 10th birthday!"
In 1991, Sue Della Maddalena, 31, learned she had malignant cancer in both breasts, and it had spread to her lymph nodes. After a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, she underwent months of chemo and radiation therapies. Sue recalled, “I needed support, and decided to attend programs at The Wellness Community (TWC) in Santa Monica.” Sadly, her cancer aggressively returned in 1994 in her spine, pelvis and hips. “My chance of surviving was less than 10 percent.” At her doctor’s advice, she underwent a stem cell transplant.
After recovery, in 1995, Sue relocated to Phoenix. She set her sights on founding a Wellness Community in her new city, and teamed up with Jerry Hirsch who offered important advice on starting a non-profit, as well as a generous grant from his foundation, the Blue Sky Fund. Jerry later referred Sue to Bill Levine, who gave another generous grant to help open the facility.
Around this time, Greta Shipman, along with her friend, Diane Walker, who belonged to a real estate investment group were invited into the loop. They found the 1908 Craftsman-style bungalow at 360 East Palm Lane in Phoenix, which they purchased to lease to TWC. The house’s address—360— is what appealed to Greta. She liked the “full circle” feeling that it reflected.
“The property needed fixing up,” Sue says. “Diane had recruited Roger Nelson as a board member and he knew Bob Hardison of hardison/downey construction.” Bob agreed to help, as his father, Wilbur, had been supported by TWC in Ventura County. Through Bob, they were able to get the majority of the three year renovation to the acre property donated.
After five years, Sue came off the board and went on to become the Executive Director of PetSmart Charities. “It’s amazing to see how much has changed and how TWC has grown after being away for almost five years,” adds Sue. “I’m so proud to be here and I wish TWC a very happy 10th birthday!”