The Healing Services You Need...Right Here in Sonoma Valley

The CSS Story

person in white blazer holding green hea

Launched in 2015

Under a partnership between the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation and The North Bay Cancer Alliance, Cancer Support Sonoma was originally funded as a research study to assess the effects of complementary therapies on cancer patients. At that time, we were operating out of the hospital. When the study came to an end in October 2017, we had a choice to make: close our doors or find new funding sources and a new home so we could continue to serve our growing clientele. The feedback from patients and a glimpse at study results told us our work has made a significant difference in the lives of those we serve. The request from patients and providers was heartfelt and unanimous: “Please keep Cancer Support Sonoma going.”

So, of course we did.

Our Mission...

... is to physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually support people in our community who are facing cancer treatment, celebrating recovery or entering their end of life due to cancer. We accomplish this by providing integrative, complementary therapies on a sliding scale.

A Home Of Our Own

In spring of 2024 we realized our dream of having our own space with individual treatment rooms as well as rooms for group classes and community events. We were excited to find just the right place, a block from Sonoma Plaza. This move enables us to expand the types of services we can provide, while reaching out to more folks who can benefit from having these services available locally.

The new location at 585 1st St. West is a warm, welcoming environment where clients can share experiences with others who are on their own cancer journey.

Meet the Staff

Executive Director

Teri Adolfo

In addition to providing oncology massage to CSS clients, Teri has taken on the role of Executive Director to help CSS grow and expand its services. Teri has been in the health care field for over 30 years. She holds an MS from UC Davis in Organizational and Community Development. This led to a career in health planning, patients’ rights, then as Director of Health for All, a multi-lingual Community Clinic treating primarily non-English speakers. After the death of her parents and sister from cancer, Teri studied acupuncture and received her master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. She served as Director of Kerala, an Integrative Medicine Clinic in Seattle, specializing in auto-immune diseases and cancer. When an opportunity presented itself to work with Cancer Support Sonoma she was all in. “I want to provide as many cancer support services to clients and their caregivers as possible so they can live their best life after their cancer diagnoses.”

Patient Navigator

Sharon O'Neil

Sharon joined Cancer Support Sonoma after 15 years of working in the nonprofit sector in Santa Cruz County. Her passion for supporting nonprofits began when she was a program coordinator for Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition, followed by an administrative role with Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support. Having worked with organizations that serve children with cancer and their families, she knows how important supportive services can be in the lives of cancer patients. “When my mother was in treatment for breast cancer in the 1960s, integrative medicine in oncology didn’t exist. The fact that she would have benefited from today’s complementary therapies inspires me to help those in our community facing cancer to feel cared for.

Lead Volunteer

Susan Murray

Susan received a master’s degree from Stanford University and worked for 15 years as a head teacher at Bing Nursery School, a laboratory/research facility on campus. After several years as a stay-at-home mom, she became a health educator for Planned Parenthood in the South Bay. There she was involved in the Prenatal Program before becoming the Breast Health Coordinator. In retirement she was a volunteer at Bay Area Cancer Connections in Palo Alto, a nonprofit organization that offers programs and services to people touched by breast and ovarian cancer. In 2015 Susan and her husband, Scott, moved to Sonoma — a dream come true for them. Becoming a volunteer with CSS was a natural fit.