Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area Set to Break Ground on State-of-the-Art Cancer Support Center and Launch Final Phase of the Capital Campaign

Cancer Support Community Celebrates its 35th Anniversary in the San Francisco Bay Area by Establishing New Roots with Groundbreaking Event on April 23 at 3 PM

Key Takeaways

  • Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC) is in the final stages of its initiative for a new cancer support center in Lafayette, California, which signifies a significant expansion of its services for cancer patients and their families.
  • The new cancer support center will provide a comprehensive range of programs such as counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and healthy lifestyle classes which help individuals navigate the complexities of cancer, partner with their medical teams, and meet their emotional, social, and financial needs during and after treatment.
  • CSC has made substantial progress with its capital raise campaign and has $2.6 million left to raise, which will be matched through a $5 million anonymous donor to reach the goal.

Walnut Creek, CA, April 03, 2025 -- Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC), a Bay Area-based nonprofit devoted to supporting individuals, families and communities affected by cancer through no-cost comprehensive supportive care programs, today enters the next chapter of its initiative with an anonymous donation match for its new state-of-the-art cancer support center. CSC will break ground for the cancer support center on April 23, achieving a significant milestone in the expansion of its services for patients and their families. 

The campaign, "Rooted in Resilience" is a testament to the organization's roots in the community and its commitment to expanding its support offerings for those in need.

"CSC is more than just a support center, it is a community," said Lucinda Bazile, MPH, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area. "Our new center will provide an atmosphere of understanding, hope, and comfort, which is vital in the journey towards recovery. It's not just about treating the disease but also about addressing the psychological and social challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. On April 23rd we will break ground on the future site as we begin establishing deeper roots within our community and beyond." 

For 35 years, CSC has become a beacon of hope and healing to those impacted by cancer. In recognition that cancer touches many lives, CSC focuses on delivering psychosocial support to patients and their loved ones, addressing the emotional, social, and financial aspects of a cancer diagnosis.

The new cancer support center, which will be built on six acres of donated land in Lafayette, California, is adjacent to the serene atmosphere of the Lafayette Reservoir. It embodies the organization's commitment to fostering community among its participants and their families while providing a nurturing environment for healing. The state-of-the art center will include children and teen enrichment areas, support rooms with flexible space and remote broadcast capabilities, a demonstration kitchen, counseling rooms, an expressive arts room, a movement studio, a library and cafe, wellness treatment rooms, and a naturally healing garden and outdoor areas.

The campaign, which has already raised more than 75% of funds, will provide resources to complete the new cancer support center and continue CSC's mission to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care.

"This undertaking is a testament to our resolve to continually enhance our services and reach more people," stated Donald Duggan, President of the Board of CSC. “We are in the last leg of making this a reality and we are reaching out to our community to join us and become part of the journey. With each contribution, we double our impact through a $5 million match from an anonymous donor."

Echoing these sentiments, Patricia Falconer, Vice President of the Board of CSC, stated, "The growth of CSC has always been rooted in innovation and resilience. Our new cancer support center will increase our capacity to meet the growing needs of our diverse community and increase access to free of charge in-person, hybrid, and virtual, culturally responsive support programs for patients, families, and caregivers. We are grateful to all who have supported our mission thus far and invite others to join us to grow the future of cancer support."

With the final push in full swing, CSC is optimistic about the completion of its new center. This initiative not only signifies the organization's unwavering commitment to its mission but also emphasizes its resolve to shape the future of cancer support.

For more information about the Cancer Support Community and how you can contribute to helping CSC hit its goal, visit our donation page.

CSC invites all community members to join the Official Groundbreaking on April 23rd at 3:00 P.M. You can RSVP at the link here.


About Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC):
CSC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals and families affected by cancer. Founded in 1990, our mission is to uplift and strengthen people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. We provide free comprehensive support programs including counseling, support groups, nutrition, exercise, emergency financial assistance, and patient education programs as well as special programs for teens and children. Find out more HERE.

Key Takeaways

  • Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC) is in the final stages of its initiative for a new cancer support center in Lafayette, California, which signifies a significant expansion of its services for cancer patients and their families.
  • The new cancer support center will provide a comprehensive range of programs such as counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and healthy lifestyle classes which help individuals navigate the complexities of cancer, partner with their medical teams, and meet their emotional, social, and financial needs during and after treatment.
  • CSC has made substantial progress with its capital raise campaign and has $2.6 million left to raise, which will be matched through a $5 million anonymous donor to reach the goal.

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Cancer Support Community - Changing the Landscape of Cancer Care
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Quotes

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"Our new center will provide an atmosphere of understanding, hope, and comfort, which is vital in the journey towards recovery. It's not just about...
Lucinda Bazile, MPH — Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area
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“We are in the last leg of making this a reality and we are reaching out to our community to join us and become part of the journey. With each cont...
Donald Duggan — President of the Board of CSC
“
"The growth of CSC has always been rooted in innovation and resilience. Our new cancer support center will increase our capacity to meet the growin...
Patricia Falconer — Vice President of the Board of CSC

Related Bios

Lucinda Bazile, MPH
Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area
Ms. Bazile began her career at LifeLong Medical Care as a Health Fellow with the Over 60 Health Center, a federally qualified health center focused on social justice and health equity. She has since built an impressive track record of leadership, innovation and strategic growth. During her tenure, she established key departments and programs and gained extensive experience in operations, financial management, human resources, policy development, and program planning. In her role as Deputy Director, Ms. Bazile was responsible for government and external relations, advocacy, development, communications and community engagement.

Ms. Bazile brings a strong foundation in organizational leadership to her new role as CEO of Cancer Support Service. Driven by a passion for health equity, Ms. Bazile transitioned from public accounting to public health to improve healthcare access for underserved communities, particularly communities of color. Her dedication to cancer awareness, prevention and support services is deeply personal, inspired by her late mother’s battle with colon cancer. Through her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society-Silicon Valley Bay Area Board, she champions health education and preventative care to support individuals and caregivers impacted by cancer.

Ms. Bazile serves as Board Chair for RCF Connects, is an instructor at UC-Berkeley School of Public Health, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Bazile has also been recognized in the Contra Costa County Women’s Hall of Fame for Women Improving Healthcare (2016) and Richmond Main Street Downtown Champion for Healthcare (2019).
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Donald Duggan
President, Board of Directors Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area
Donald Duggan retired from Bank of the West as Senior Executive Vice President, Head of Banking Services and Chief Diversity Officer. Donald has served on the board of Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area since 2017 and currently serves as Board president. He is dedicated to bringing support and education to underserved families impacted by cancer.
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Patricia Falconer, MBA
Vice President, Board of Directors Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area and a Cancer Support Community National Board Member
Patricia is the Vice President, Board of Directors Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area and a Cancer Support Community National board member. As the President of Health Options LLC, Patricia facilitates hospital collaborations that increase access to cancer care and reduce health disparities. As a cancer survivor and caregiver with over 30 years of experience in healthcare management and consulting, Patricia has a passion for improving the quality of life for cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers.

Patricia was the former Executive Director of Cancer Care Programs, Cancer Network, and Strategic Initiatives at Stanford Health Care, where she led the transformation and expansion of Stanford Medicine cancer services from a single site academic medical center to an integrated network. She launched comprehensive cancer support services, co-authored several publications, and received two prestigious awards for service excellence.

Patricia has a BA Physiology, Honors from U.C Berkeley and an MBA, Finance Honors from Santa Clara University. She enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and running after her young grandson and granddaughter.
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Contacts

Terri Clevenger
tclevenger@waterhousebrands.com
203.984.5430
Head of Integrated Communications, Waterhouse Brands