If you've driven along Mt. Diablo Boulevard near the Lafayette Reservoir lately, you've probably noticed the construction crews and steel framework rising on the hillside just west of the water. That's not just any building going up — it's the new home of Cancer Support Community San Francisco Bay Area (CSC SF Bay Area), and it's going to be a beautiful addition to our corner of Lafayette, CA.
This is what it looks like today if you are in the vicinity of the Lafayette Reservoir.
As a local Real Estate Broker serving families throughout Lafayette and Pleasant Hill, I love sharing stories like this one. It's a reminder of why so many buyers love this part of Contra Costa County — not just the top-rated schools and walkable downtowns, but the strong sense of community that shows up when neighbors come together to support each other.
For over 35 years, CSC SF Bay Area has offered free programs to help people navigate a cancer diagnosis — not the medical treatment itself, but everything that comes with it: the fear, the stress, the financial strain, the toll it takes on a whole family. Now, thanks to a $25M+ capital campaign, that mission is getting a permanent, purpose-built campus on six donated acres overlooking the reservoir.
The two-story, 13,000+ square-foot center will include counseling and support group rooms, a demonstration kitchen, a movement studio, an expressive arts room, and dedicated spaces just for kids and teens. The architects, Left Coast Architecture, gave it a striking "butterfly roof" meant to echo the surrounding hills, plus a glass-walled atrium, and a healing garden — the kind of nature-forward design that fits right in with the outdoor lifestyle so many Lafayette and Pleasant Hill residents already love (think weekend loops around the Lakeside Nature Trail or a picnic at the reservoir with the kids).
Construction topped off in April 2026, and the center is expected to welcome its first visitors in early 2027 — great news for the thousands of Bay Area families who'll benefit from expanded access to free counseling, healthy lifestyle classes, and support groups close to home.
And for those living outside Lafayette, here's a nice bonus: the new center is just a quick, easy drive from Pleasant Hill — about 7 miles and 10 minutes via CA-24, similar to a trip to Walnut Creek. That means people in the surrounding areas won't have to go far to access free counseling, support groups, and wellness programs once the center opens. It's one more example of how connected our Lamorinda and Contra Costa communities really are — great schools, easy commutes, and now, even more resources for neighbors going through a difficult time.
The impact so far speaks for itself. According to CSC San Francisco Bay Area's 2025 Impact Report, the organization served 2,352 individuals across more than 33,000 visits last year — its highest reach in 35 years — and 98% of participants said they'd recommend the program to others facing cancer. It was also named a 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year by State Senator Tim Grayson and recognized by the Golden State Warriors Community Foundation and Kaiser Permanente.
Whether you're a longtime Lafayette resident, considering a move to the area, or just someone who loves being a part of a supportive community, this is a project worth watching. It's exactly the kind of investment in community well-being that makes this stretch of the East Bay such a wonderful place to put down roots.
It will be quite a change from this one-story building in a residential neighborhood between Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek! The CSC SF Bay Center is currently located at 3278 McNutt Avenue, Walnut Creek CA 94597
Want to learn more or get involved? Visit cancersupport.net to read the full impact report, take a video tour of the new center, or find out how to donate.
