2006-2007 Orange Book: Internet Directory
Concerned Citizens of Valley Center

Concerned Citizens of Valley Center

Concerned Citizens of Valley Center (CCVC) was formed in November of 2001, when parents became concerned about a higher incidence of cnacer among young people. They formed the organization to monitor the situation, investigate environmental converns, and raise money for young people in Valley Center who are victims of the disease.

The CCVC's inaugural group of officers are: President Meg Doyal; Vice President Mike Cooper; and, Secretary Audra Johnson. They meet twice a month, usually on Thursdays, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church upper classrooms. Currently they have about 20 members, and more volunteers are always welcome.

Cancer, especially when it strikes young people, is a disease that not only causes devastating medical bills, it often requires that family members take off extended time from work to be with their children who have cancer, or to be advocates for them to the doctor or hospital. Mike Cooper had to take off ten months from his job when his son, Mike, Jr., was diagnosed with a form of leukemia.

The first of the group's fundraisers was a barbecue with live music in June at Bates Nut Farm. Various local radio stations, such as KGB, KSON, and Rock 105.3, also took part. This may become an annual event, according to Mike Cooper. The group is also seriously studying inaugurating an annual fundraiser around the time of Halloween, he said. Money raised will be shared equally among the families who have cancer patients.

CCVC is also working to gather data that it will share with the California Cancer Registry, the state agency in charge of compiling such statistics. In fact, it was the group that brought about the first public meetings with the Registry in January of this year.

"This group is dedicated to going beyond what the state does in regards to resources, and whatever information we come up with we share with the state," says Cooper. "Our intent is to get people informed."

In the spring they sent out a survey to 3,000 local residents. The survey was paid for with a private donation, which underscores the group's continuing need for donations as it works with county health agencies, the Air Pollution Control District, and other government groups.

For more information: CCVC, PO Box 2237, Valley Center, CA 92082, or call: 760-749-2420.