History of Wellness House

In the winter of 1988, three local women, two of whom were cancer survivors, initiated the efforts which would lead to the founding of Wellness House. They asked the question, “What do cancer patients need to help themselves manage the challenges and difficulties they face resulting from diagnosis, treatment, and living with a life-threatening illness?” The answer to this complex question began a broad-based community effort that ultimately led to Wellness House.

Wellness House officially came into existence when a group of twenty local residents, most of whom were cancer survivors, formed a Planning Commission in 1988. After several months operating in a space borrowed from Hinsdale Hospital and becoming a registered not-for-profit, the Board of Directors raised the funds necessary to open the doors of Wellness House.

In 1990, Wellness House purchased property adjacent to Hinsdale Hospital, and on July 3rd of that same year began providing services to cancer patients. After quickly reaching the capacity of the facility, Wellness House engaged in a major fund drive and began to build its current home. Drawing on extraordinary community support from residents, builders, contractors, designers, and also from its own auxiliaries, Wellness House broke ground for its new facility during the winter of 1992. Since that time, Wellness House has added on to its facility to become a 15,000 square foot home that provides crucial support to over 1600 people affected by cancer each year.