Nancy Colton will be honored with the Celebration of Hope Award at The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's 17th anniversary gala fundraiser on May 30 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village.

Colton is a breast cancer survivor, support group participant and daughter of board member Harriet Wasserman. The working mother of three has generously documented her story of tremendous courage and hope for visitors to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura's homepage.

"The most amazing aspect of this life-changing event is gaining the perspective of how important it is to live life in the moment," Nancy said.

Nancy and Rick, her husband of 23 years, are lifelong Dodger fans and on May 11, Melissa Manchester (a friend of Nancy's mom) sang the national anthem at the game, along with "Power of Ribbons," a song she wrote in Nancy's honor.

The couple wore Dodger jerseys provided by the team and, with her three sons watching, Nancy threw out the first pitch.

Rick credits the entire Mother's Day celebration to Vickie Gutierrez, a Dodger usher who happened to notice one day that the die-hard fans had returned to the game after a long absence and arranged to have them presented with Dodgers hats and shirts.

Team owner, Frank McCourt, got wind of the story and the Mother's Day festivities were arranged.

The anniversary gala will feature master of ceremonies Terry Paulson, Ph.D., an internationally renowned motivational speaker, psychologist, author and longtime Wellness Community Professional Advisory Board member.

The gala will feature the Harry Selvin Orchestra, dinner and a live auction. This year's auction items will include a weeklong New Year's Orlando resort getaway, a week in Breckinridge, Colo., a two-night stay and wine package at Paso Robles' Hotel Cheval and a one-week Christmas ski vacation in Park City, Utah.

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the organization's free programs.

The gala will be followed by the annual National Cancer Survivors Day Picnic on May 31.

To purchase tickets, donate auction items, advertise or become a sponsor for the gala visit www.TwcVv.org or call Maddy Sattler at 805-379-4777. Tickets are $225 each.

Nationally, The Wellness Community provides support, education and hope for people affected by cancer at more than 100 locations worldwide, including 24 U.S.-based and two international centers, with 73 satellite and off-site programs and online at the Virtual Wellness Community.

For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, please visit www.TwcVv.org.