Nancy Varner, whose cancer-shortened life had such a profound effect upon
cancer fighting efforts in the Inland Empire, will be honored by Redlands
Community Hospital (RCH) as they name the hospital’s Women’s
Health Imaging Center the
Nancy Varner Center for Women’s Health. James R. Holmes, President/CEO said that, “We hope that this naming
will reflect Nancy’s untiring commitment to promote health excellence
for women within the community she loved. Our hope is that Nancy will
live on in spirit at the growing center of excellence for cancer treatment.”
On July 9, 2019, the hospital Board of Directors voted to name the growing
center of excellence for cancer treatment after Varner, who died on June
1, 2019. She was a driving force in elevating the need for treatment and
research as she helped to found Inland Women Fighting Cancer with Annie
Sellas and Cathy Stockton that in turn collaborated with Stater Bros.
Charities to establish the Believe Walk in Redlands.
“We’re thrilled to honor such a courageous and generous friend
of both Stater Bros. Charities and Redlands Community Hospital,”
RCH Board of Directors Chairwoman Kate Salvesen said. “Nancy was
a fighter and it was her fighting spirit that helped launch the first
Believe Walk in 2008, which has resulted in numerous Stater Bros. Charities
grants supporting our Women’s Health Imaging Center. Those grants
have enabled earlier cancer diagnoses and faster treatment for many patients,
ultimately saving lives.”
Born in Chicago, Nancy married Bruce D. Varner, a successful Riverside
attorney and founding partner of Varner & Brandt LLP, in 1975. Through
the years she helped her husband raise three sons and a daughter while
nurturing a strong desire to serve others
After she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006, Nancy felt called
to help other cancer patients within her community. She noticed a disparity
between traditional medical treatments and the services available for
cancer patients, and that void ignited a passion within her to help other
cancer patients obtain wigs, share clinical information, achieve early
screening and receive nutritional guidance. To facilitate those services
she along with Sellas and Stockton formed the Inland Women Fighting Cancer
Committee in 2008. That group, in conjunction with Stater Bros. Charities,
launched the first Believe Walk that same year in hopes of raising money,
increasing awareness and establishing services for local cancer patients.
Among the recipients of Stater Bros. Charities/Believe Walk grants is RCH,
which has received funding every year since 2012. Grants have enabled
the Women's Health Imaging Center to acquire two digital mammography
units, a high-definition ultrasound system, a cutting-edge linear accelerator,
a breast biopsy system and a wire-free breast localization system. In
all, the Believe Walk program, thanks in large part to Nancy’s farsightedness,
has raised millions of dollars for cancer care.
“Nancy understood the important role that fundraising plays in fighting
cancer,” said Larry Curti, longtime friend of the Varner family
and former Redlands Hospital Foundation Board member. Despite her significant
health challenge she forged ahead with bold ideas and a tireless spirit.
At RCH, the end result was a Women’s Health Imaging Center that
grows in scope and importance every year. We’re so very thankful
for Nancy and Bruce and the hospital gratefully attaches her name to this
important center.”