Wings - Bluebird Cancer Retreats
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Wings Summer 2018 Unbreakable Bonds When the spring edition of CURE magazine hit my desk, I was pleasantly surprised to see the cover story featuring camps and retreats providing opportunities for cancer patients. This article shares that this type of program has its roots in the pediatric oncology community. Going on to expose that there are hundreds of this type of offerings for children in the United States, while there are only 34 such programs for adults. Bluebird is one of them! In 2012, Bluebird Cancer Retreats of West Michigan was featured in the USA TODAY “What to Expect After Cancer” edition focused on preventing, conquering and healing after cancer. We believe this was the awakening to the importance of the need for emotional support for adults battling cancer. Providing ways for people to find connections, tools and outlets to help them rediscover joy in life after a diagnosis. “Stress is no friend to cancer,” says Kathleen Hardy, an oncology social worker at Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. Six years later, we are seeing see the cancer community share the same realization that medical treatment alone cannot heal a cancer survivor. At Bluebird Cancer Retreats, we understand that while we cannot do anything about the quantity of life, we can do great things to support the quality of life. We gear our programs toward human connection and self-awareness. Retreats offer the opportunity for people to forge friendships and to find inner strength. Participants find tools in self-care with exposure to pampering treatments such as massage, manicures, healing touch, and reflexology. We also host presenters on topics ranging from healthy eating, conquering fear, meditation, and music therapy. It is our goal for our participants to find their strength again! At Bluebird, we believe there has never been a more important time to support our mission. We are honored to serve this community, and it is our goal that every survivor has the opportunity to learn that they are not alone. We are here to give them wings again. Thank you for partnering with us to make what we do possible! Renee Denslow Executive Director, Bluebird Cancer Retreats Our wings are small but the ripples of the heart are infinite. ~Amit Ray
A Note from the President
It has been an exciting year for Bluebird Cancer Retreats. The awareness and
support of our mission is growing strong, and the need for our services has
never been greater. The exciting news is that people are surviving, living and
thriving after cancer, and it is our goal to help them rediscover themselves
moving forward.
Bluebird Cancer Retreats works tirelessly to “enhance the lives of adults with
cancer” and has been serving this mission for over 21 years. We are honored
to have the support of every major hospital and cancer center in West
Michigan, and we are steadfast in our commitment to serve their patients.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making the dream of Bluebird a
reality. Our board and leadership have positioned us for growth to meet the
ever-growing needs of the cancer community, and with your help, I know we
will continue to soar!
With sincere thanks,
Patty Keller
President, Board of Directors, Bluebird Cancer Retreats
Board of Directors
Patty Keller, President Susan Dudick
Retired Teacher, Spring Lake Public Schools Cancer & Hematology of West Michigan
Loril Garrett, Vice President Stefanie Hall-VanHouwelingen
Lemmen Holton Cancer Pavilion Herman Miller
Shelley Brocci, Secretary Gloria LeMaire
Johnson Center Patient and Family Resources
Marilyn Sytsma
Marcia Wiersma, Treasurer Social Worker - Parmalee and Associates
Rick Arnold Lori Zellers
Owner - Broadview Product Development Lawyer - Lakeshore Law & Mediation Center
Dr. Terri Bott-Kothari Rev. Peter Theune
Metro Health, University of Michigan Health Honorary Board Member
Renee Denslow, Executive Director
Tanya Kval, Development Coordinator
We would also like to offer special thanks to the numerous
volunteers and donors that like to give quietly and behind the
scenes. Your generosity speaks volumes to the many people you
serve. We cannot thank you enough for your loyal support!
www.bluebirdmi.org 616.847.0839
Tanya Kval Dr. Terri Bott-Kothari
Volunteer Highlights
This year, Tanya Kval joined the team at Bluebird Cancer Retreats in a newly
created role as Development Coordinator. Tanya comes to Bluebird with a
solid background in project management and fund development. She served
on the Tri-Cities Unity Auction committee for nine years and was the co-chair
for the last three. She also owned and ran her own rental company for eight
years. Tanya joins Bluebird with a distinct passion, having endured a cancer
journey with her sister-in-law and children. We are thrilled to have her energy
and skills on our team.
Please help us welcome our newest board member Dr. Terri Bott-Kothari to the
Bluebird Board of Directors! Dr. Bott is a board-certified radiation oncologist
and has worked in the field for over 16 years. She currently practices at
University of Michigan Metro Health in Grand Rapids. Dr. Bott understands
that cancer is a disease that affects the entire family, and she finds it her job
to help the family navigate the entire process. She shares, “I am honored that I
can serve on the Bluebird Board as an extension of the role I already play, but
in a more complementary role for recovery and healing.”
Get Ready for Gorilla Golf
Get ready to hit the jungle at our 17th annual Gorilla Golf
event Friday, September 21st! If you are “ape crazy” for
the game, you will LOVE this event. Gorilla golf is not
your typical golf outing, and it is not just for the diehard
enthusiast. It is for ANYONE who loves to have fun and
support a great cause. You do not pay a dime to play,
but your friends, family, and co-workers will be crazy
about supporting you to hit as many holes as you can in
an eight-hour day on the course. Last year King Kong,
Mike Dudick, hit 254 holes to support those in our
community in the fight for their life! Do not worry every
golfer is not as crazy as Mike! Everyone at this event
loves to have a lot of fun while doing a good thing at the
same time.
Space is still available. Contact our
office for more information.
www.bluebirdmi.org 616.847.0839
Back in Time Highlights Our annual gala event took us “back in time” this year at the Old Stonegate Farm in Nunica, MI. When Walt and Linda Grabowski, the owners of Stonegate, learned about Bluebird, they felt a very personal connection and passion for our cause. Walt has been on his own journey with cancer over the past year, and they eagerly jumped in to help us by donating this beautiful venue for our event. With a sold-out guest list and record high support from our corporate sponsors, we hosted the most successful event in our history at Bluebird Cancer Retreats. Many thanks to everyone that attended and supported us this year. We could not do what we do without you. Your overwhelming support will allow us to continue on our path of growth and help us support everyone in West Michigan battling cancer in a unique and personal way.
Bluebird 2018/2019 Calendar
Retreats:
September 7-9, 2018 Newcomers
October 5-7, 2018 Couples
October 20-21, 2018 Reunion
Spring 2019 Momcology – Watch for Dates to Come
April 26-28, 2019 Newcomers
May 17-19, 2019 Couples
September 27-29, 2019 Newcomers
October 11-13, 2019 Couples
October 26-27, 2019 Reunion
Special Events:
Friday, September 21, 2018 Gorilla Golf
Support Groups:
Bluebird Cancer Support Group ~ Spring Lake
Third Monday of each month (5:30-7pm)
Held at our Spring Lake offices: 917 W. Savidge St. #36 – In the Lake Pointe Condo building.
For more info contact Renee at rdenslow@bluebirdmi.org or 616-847-0839.
Blue Bird Bosom Buddies Support Group ~ Holland
First Thursday night of each month (6:30-8pm)
Held at Center for Good Health: 175 S. Waverly Rd., Holland, MI 49423
For more information contact Alecia Jones at ajones@hollandhospital.org
Connect with Us
Watch for current happenings on our website at:
www.bluebirdmi.org
Donations can be made on our website through
PayPal™Special thanks to the Corporate Sponsors that have underwritten
NONPROFIT ORG
this event. Please patronize the businesses that help make this US POSTAGE
community something special! PAID
917 W. Savidge St., Suite 37 GRAND HAVEN, MI
Spring Lake, MI 49456 PERMIT NO. 149
Legacy Partners: Supporting Partners:
Anlaan Corporation Barbara Ann Karmano’s Cancer Institute
The Clover Family Don & Cindy Anderson
Lack’s Enterprises, Inc. Garrett Law Offices
Garrison Dental Solutions
Mart Dock
Harbor Front Animal Hospital
Mercy General Health Partners
Robbins Road Animal Clinic
Shape Corporation
Premier Partners: Soils & Structures
Broadview Product Development Spectrum Health
BuckTale Farm
Cancer & Hematology of West Michigan
Sustaining Partners:
Dan & Patty Keller
Generation Care
Dr. Tim & Dr. Alanna Barron
Greenridge Realty – Christopher Peel
Eagle Alloy, Inc.
John & Shelly Brocci
Lakeshore Law & Mediation Center
Light Corp.
Marilyn & Lou Sytsma
Michigan Mortgage – Rob & Jill Garrison
Metro Health University of Michigan Health
North Ottawa Community Hospital
Spectrum Health
Scholten Fant Attorneys
Tony Gage
Shoreline Insurance
Stu & Lisa Kingma
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