Super-human efforts

Suzie Harrison

Mike and Nancy Meyer spoke with infectious smiles and a light in

their eyes as bright as the sun bouncing off the ocean behind their

Laguna home.

The duo’s passion for life translates into a passion for helping

others. This time their efforts have earned them the 2004

Humanitarian of the Year award from the British American Business

Council.

Their good deed? Among many contributions to Orange County

charities, the Meyers have given great energy to building the

Wellness Community in Santa Ana.

Together for 20 years, most of their charity work has been done on

an individual basis, but this time the couple have combined their

efforts to help make the lives of cancer patients as positive as

possible.

The Wellness Community in Santa Ana was founded about two and a

half years ago. It’s the only nonprofit organization with national

affiliations to provide education, emotional support and hope to

cancer patients and their families. Mike Meyer was active in its

founding.

“The whole idea of wellness is opening a home-like, warm

environment for people who have cancer to go to,” Mike Meyer said.

A personal tragedy brought Mike Meyer into the world of cancer

patients.

“My first wife Barbara had breast cancer. We were living here [in

Laguna Beach] ... she was in her early 30s when we found out,” Mike

Meyer said.

The logistics of treatment made it difficult to attend to the

emotional needs of Mike and Barbara.

“We were looking for a place for psychological and social support

while she was fighting the disease,” Mike Meyer said. “We went to a

lot of different places with different theories on how to fight

cancer.”

Mike said they encountered some “quacky” and unpleasant places

during their search. In their quest, they came upon a book that

taught about mental imagery and concept relaxation. It illustrated to

patients how to concentrate while on chemotherapy -- picturing that

the therapy was attacking the tumor and their white blood cells were

facilitating their body.

Harold Benjamin, an attorney who studied psychology, is the

founder of the Wellness Community in Los Angeles. He too was

motivated after his wife got cancer. He opened the Wellness Community

in his home in Santa Monica at first, on the premise that combining

the will of the patient with the skill of a physician is powerful.

Barbara Meyer died of breast cancer 28 years ago. In those years

since her death, the Wellness Community has gone international and

its organizers have integrated and studied various methods of helping

people with cancer interrelate with each other, Mike Meyer said.

“And the connections are important, just helping them live every

day and appreciate it,” Nancy Meyer said.

“When someone finds out they have cancer, their husband or wife

and kid don’t understand how to deal -- they can’t understand what

they are going through,” Mike said. “They try to be supportive, but a

lot of times they say the wrong thing, ‘How do you feel’ after chemo.

So you learn.”

For the Meyers, the fruits of their work at the Wellness Community

and other charities are the best reward, but both say they are

thrilled to be selected to be honored as humanitarians of the year.

“I think this is very special for us to be recognized, both of us

-- it was not expected,” Nancy Meyer said.

Her comment brought a smile to Mike Meyer’s face as he suggested

she give the acceptance speech.

“You don’t do things for recognition, you do it because it’s what

you believe in, helping someone else,” Nancy Meyer added. “If

recognition brings people to the Wellness Community that’s what’s

important.”

It is that belief in giving that the Meyers hope to pass on to

their children.

“We started a small fund, and each child could determine what

charity to give to with their earnings,” Nancy Meyer said. “It gave

them an awareness of giving and we learned about a lot of charities

through them. You can’t just say to your kids go out and be aware,

you need to teach your children by setting an example.”

The Meyers will receive their award at a fundraiser and dinner

dance for the Wellness Community on Sept. 18 at the Disneyland Hotel.

People are welcome to buy tickets to attend and support the wellness

effort. The Wellness Community is at 540 N. County Circle Drive,

Suite 315 in Santa Ana. For information, to make a donation or for

tickets, call (714) 543-3200 or go online to https://www.wellness

communityoc.org.