By Teri Carnicelli

When Biltmore resident and commercial real estate broker Dennis Desmond was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1995, he and his wife, Kathy, made a conscious decision to not only fight, but to fight together.

“Whenever you do anything as a team, it seems a little easier,” explains Kathy, an interior decorator. “It was good for Dennis to feel like I was a partner in this; he didn’t feel so alone.”

Being a team—and finding a doctor who was willing to push the envelope and fight the poor survival odds—is what helped the couple through not one but two bouts with the aggressive cancer (Dennis had a reoccurrence in 2000).

It would have never occurred to her to not be involved every step of the way, Kathy says. She and Dennis, who ironically had spent 12 years as a volunteer and board member with the Arizona Cancer Society before his own battles with cancer, had hear the stories of how important a strong support system of family and friends can be to a cancer patient’s survival.

It also never occurred to either one of them that there might be people out there struggling with the disease alone: teenagers who are afraid to be shunned by their peers; young single women with no immediate family; or older gentlemen whose spouses have passed on and whose children live in other parts of the country.

Who do these fragile and frightened people turn to for support, they wondered?

The answer came when the Desmonds were introduced to The Wellness Community (TWC), a national nonprofit organization that provides support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Located at 360 W. Palm Lane, TWC provides a home-like setting for people fighting cancer to connect with and learn from each other. All programs are free of charge.

    “Even with all my years with the Arizona Cancer Society, I was completely unfamiliar with The Wellness Community,” Dennis says. A friend of his brought him to a “get-to-know-us” breakfast at the former historic home in Central Phoenix, and “I was very impressed with what they were doing,” he recalls. “I was so fortunate to have my own support group—family and friends—because you really need to fight cancer two ways: medically and from a personal strength inside. That strength comes from you but also from those around you, encouraging you and just being there.”

    There also are those who have family to help them through the struggle—but those family members or social circle of friends don’t know how to deal with the fear and the questions, and feel overwhelmed. “As a caretaker, you know you are a part of it, but oftentimes you feel so helpless,” Kathy points out. “Sometimes caretakers tend to shy away or close off, and that can be hurtful. At the Wellness Community, you are surrounded by people who understand and care, and you have access to research and other information to help answer your own questions.”

    Dennis saw an organization that was meeting a critical need—and at no cost to the cancer patient or the caregiver—and decided he wanted to be involved. “I really wanted it to be better known in the Phoenix community,” he said.

    It’s been nearly four years since he first became involved with TWC. Dennis, who has been in remission for seven years, currently is on the TWC’s Board of Directors and is a past chair and co-founder of its Leadership Committee.

And, true to their pledge to be partners in all things, Kathy also is active with TWC, having served as chair of the Porch Party Planning Committee for the past two years, and is currently in her third year on that committee.

The Porch Party, set for the evening of Oct. 25, features cocktails and a unique raffle on the front lawn of TWC’s home, followed by Modern Mexicana Cuisine in the backyard catered by Barrio Café. There also will be a live auction and other impressive raffle prizes. Proceeds support the free monthly support groups, workshops, seminars and classes provided by TWC.

At this year’s fundraising event, the Desmonds are being honored with TWC’s "Heroes of Inspiration” award, bestowed at the event to a cancer survivor and his or her caretaker who have demonstrated exemplary courage and caring.

“I don’t have a sense that I’m inspiring people, but at the same time, I know that sharing my story can help others who are going through the struggle now,” Dennis says.

Cancer has irrevocably changed their lives, the Desmonds say, and in many ways for the better. “We take as many trips as we can and spend as much time as we possibly can together,” Kathy says. “We don’t take anything for granted and live every moment as if it were our last. Because we know all too well that this could very well be the case.”

For more information about The Wellness Community, visit www.twccaz.org or call 602-712-1006. For more information about the Porch Party, contact the 2008 Porch Party Co-chairs, Jane Luckman at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Susan Ziemianski at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it