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by Andy
Evangelista First
appeared 4 November 1998
A Unique Boutique
There are probably few places where a cancer patient can dish out or receive jokes about
chemotherapy and the resulting loss of hair and then try on and buy a wig, hat or scarf.
But the Friend to Friend boutique at the UCSF Cancer Center is not only a specialty store,
staff and volunteers serve as an informal support group for cancer patients and their
families. The boutique, which opens Wednesday (Nov. 4), already has attracted 30 to 40
volunteers, mostly people who have battled cancer, said store manager Chris Wilhite, a
breast cancer survivor herself. "It's amazing how many people want to give something
back and help people with cancer live with hope," she said.
Florist and cancer survivor Janet Bamberger, for example, has volunteered to do the
boutique's flower arrangements, and the owner of a neighborhood antique shop has offered
some of his items to sell, with proceeds going to the boutique. Even before the store
officially opened, customers were dropping in, said Wilhite. A breast cancer survivor, for
example, was desperately looking for and found a bathing suit to take on her two-week
vacation.
The boutique offers everything from clothes and cosmetics to prostheses and greeting
cards. Many of the items were created by cancer patients. "I remember, after my first
melanoma surgery, I couldn't find a bra that didn't rub against my incision," said
Karen Wener, immediate past president of the UCSF/Mount Zion Hospitals Auxiliary and a
prime mover behind the shop's creation. The boutique was named in honor of Ida Friend, who
died of ovarian cancer two years ago. Her husband, Joseph Friend, donated millions of
dollars to the UCSF Cancer Center to help establish a new resource center for cancer
patients. Friend to Friend is located at 2356 Sutter St. Regular business hours are 9:30
a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 415/353-7776.
Battling His Way Back
UCSF postdoc Alan Kuo, whose battle with leukemia and grass roots effort to find a
bone marrow donor received national attention, is now coming to work once or twice a week,
depending on how he feels. He's still battling some of the effects of the bone marrow
treatment. (See Alan's updates on his website.)
Alan's plight drew attention to the need for donors who are ethnic minorities. December 11
will be the one-year anniversary of Alan's bone marrow transplant.
Falling Trees
Downed and dead trees have been common the last several
years on the upper edges of the campus, near Aldea San Miguel Student Housing, for
example. Most are eucalyptus, whose time simply has come after 100-plus years. Their
history in the UC-owned Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve is rooted to the mountain's
namesake, Adolph Sutro, a mining engineer, real estate investor, donor of UCSF's land, and
former SF mayor. In November of 1886, Sutro started planting trees in the area, known then
as Mount Parnassus, in celebration of the city's first Arbor Day. Of the trees, the
Australian eucalyptus, first brought to California in 1853, eventually dominated. Sutro's
foresters, some historians believe, may have intended that the fast-growing eucalyptus
serve mainly as a nurse crop and wind-protector for other tree species -- ash, pines and
cypress -- to grow. But his plans to eventually clear the eucalyptus in favor of other
species died when he did, and the large trees spread, shading out the smaller ones.
Eucalyptus make up an estimated 80% of the forest, but foresters today have learned that
the trees have a life span of only one century.
In some areas, eucalyptus with failing roots are a potential danger to people in UCSF
structures near Mount Sutro and in the neighborhoods, and many of the threatening ones
have already been removed or targeted. The first phase of a UCSF study has assessed the
woody vegetation in the 61-acre open reserve, taking inventory of various trees and
plants. The campus is working closely with community members to plan how to restore and
maintain the forest for future generations. The second phase of the study will offer some
options.
TGIF
Thank God it's finished. The elections, that is. No more annoying and confusing TV, radio
and newspaper ads. They were enough to drive one to read the voters' manuals. At least
after you watch Taco Bell, McDonalds or Burger King commercials, you consume enough
information to weigh your choices and pick your poison. (We're just using the term -- so
fast food eaters and lawyers, please relax.)
Warning: More campaigning and ads to come. November is open enrollment time for many
employers, and health plan carriers are making their pitch.
Readers: If you have any items or suggestions for this
column, send us an email: andye@itsa.ucsf.edu. |
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