Treating cancer effectively is more involved than comprehending cell biology, prescribing chemotherapy, and anticipating outcomes.  It also takes heartfelt compassion and unwavering devotion to ending the suffering that cancer creates.


On Sunday, August 2 at the Tournament Players Club in Valencia, the American Cancer Society - Santa Clarita Valley Unit will honor three hematologist-oncologists who possess these attributes and have helped hundreds of families within this community: Dr. John Barstis and Dr. Alexander Black of the UCLA/ SCV Cancer Center in Valencia, and Dr. Shamel Sanani of Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

A distinguished inaugural gala, La Bella Vida (The Beautiful Life in Italian), will be an elegant, Tuscan-inspired gala, featuring sumptuous Northern Italian cuisine, fine wines, and live entertainment. It will also celebrate ACS research and support the hope for the beautiful life that a cancer-free future would bring.

Voices of Experience

Attorney Rick Patterson knows the devastation of hearing your wife has breast cancer. He also understands the benefits of placing her care in excellent hands, such as those guiding the UCLA Cancer Center.

“Bad news can feel like suffocating darkness. Good news can bring the light, brightness and hope that chases darkness away,” Patterson said. “My loving wife, Ann and I are grateful that Dr. Barstis and Dr. Black will be honored for their devotion to the practice of medicine and their dedication to serving patients. They’re a credit to our community and the medical profession.”

Heather Warrick, ACS SCV Unit Health Programs Manager praised Barstis and Black for longtime ACS advisory leadership, and annual Relay For Life and Daffodil Days sponsorships and participation.

“Thanks to their patient referrals, the UCLA Cancer Center has allowed us to connect with more patients and survivors in providing free ACS programs and services and that’s what our mission is about, improving the quality of life of patients, survivors, and caregivers,” said Warrick, a multiple-recurrence metastatic breast cancer survivor.

Donna Nuzzi, who is co-chairing the event with ACS SCV Unit president Candy Spahr, said her father, John, survived 15 years beyond his first cancer diagnosis, thanks to his oncologists (primarily, Dr. Barstis) being part of the UCLA network.
“This is a teaching hospital, a research institution, and they have access to the latest and greatest therapies, which can make all the difference,” Nuzzi said.

Radio station KHTS AM 1220 co-owner, Jeri Seratti-Goldman first met Dr. Sanani when her mother, Jean Seratti, was suffering with late stage cancer and thought to be mere days from passing.Under Sanani’s personalized program, her mom survived three and a half years, the grateful daughter recalled.“Dr. Sanani and his staff had every kind of support system a person could need. Every question was answered directly and honestly, and concepts thoroughly explained,” Seratti-Goldman said. “He guided us through tough times with compassion, love and understanding, and truly is an angel to many. There are countless people who have told me they owe their lives to Dr. Sanani’s incredible care.”

SCV Support Sought

A nationwide voluntary health organization, the ACS is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Candy Spahr, whose husband and daughter-in-law are cancer survivors, encourages the community to support La Bella Vida, which in turn supports ACS efforts. “Please join us August 2 as we honor these exceptional doctors for their patient care services and dedication to the battle against cancer,” Spahr said. Event tickets are $100 each and opportunities for sponsorships, underwriting, volunteering and donations are available.

For further information contact Tameka Payne at the American Cancer Society at 661-298-0886, option 3 or e-mail tameka.payne@cancer.org . Tournament Players Club is located at 26550 Heritage View Lane, Valencia.