West Michigan Cancer Care

Cancer Care
Cancer Care

According to recent statistics, 1 in 2 people will develop cancer. A cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering experience — and that’s why half of us need all of us. Your support for the Corewell Health Cancer Care program helps patients and families in West Michigan navigate their cancer journey through crucial services that improve patient care and well-being.

Program Highlights

Supportive care services

The Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion continued to provide supportive care services to cancer patients at no charge, including acupuncture and massage therapy, music therapy, Beautiful You salon services, and the resource library. These services, made possible by philanthropy, can make all the difference for a patient’s treatment journey. 

"I've had MANY prior rounds of treatment at different reputable institutions over several years. I've faced consistent struggles with nausea every time. Conversely, I've had very little difficulty with nausea during my current round of treatment, and I credit much of this difference to the impact of regular massage therapy. I looked forward to getting a massage every week and believe it improved my symptom management in a very meaningful way. THANK YOU!" – Cancer Patient

Supportive care services

The Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion continued to provide supportive care services to cancer patients at no charge, including acupuncture and massage therapy, music therapy, Beautiful You salon services, and the resource library. These services, made possible by philanthropy, can make all the difference for a patient’s treatment journey. 

"I've had MANY prior rounds of treatment at different reputable institutions over several years. I've faced consistent struggles with nausea every time. Conversely, I've had very little difficulty with nausea during my current round of treatment, and I credit much of this difference to the impact of regular massage therapy. I looked forward to getting a massage every week and believe it improved my symptom management in a very meaningful way. THANK YOU!" – Cancer Patient

Patient assistance

In 2025, Cancer Care continued its partnership with TrueNorth to provide patient assistance in Kent County. In Grand Rapids, more than $25,000 in philanthropic dollars were used to help patients afford dental care, prescriptions, rent/mortgage payments, utilities, auto repairs, insurance, and registration assistance, as well as urgent COBRA and medical insurance needs. This includes a patient who lost her ability to speak due to cancer. She was unable to keep her job as a receptionist, and while in the process of applying for disability benefits, she was unable to pay her rent. Philanthropic gifts provided two months of rent payments, giving her time to be approved for benefits and afford her rent moving forward.  

Community engagement and outreach

Community engagement and outreach events bring cancer prevention education and screening resources right into local spaces across West Michigan, helping reduce barriers that lead to gaps in cancer screening. In 2025, 32 community partners participated in 37 engagement and outreach events, reaching 1,159 community members across Corewell Health West!  

In addition, grant funding continued to support the Healing Oncology Partnerships in Equity (HOPE) Cultural Training series, hosted by Corewell Health and Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. in 2025, this partnership hosted two Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) that brought Tribal leaders, knowledge keepers, and health care providers together to reflect and share lived experiences for Native Americans navigating cancer treatments. 

Making history with Histotripsy

In 2025, Roger Jackson, who was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis liver cancer, became the first patient at Corewell Health to receive a noninvasive therapy to treat liver cancer called Histotripsy. WZZM 13 even interviewed Roger about his experience! Roger’s doctor noted the treatment “was a complete success” and more patients are in the process of getting the Histotripsy procedure. Meanwhile, Roger celebrated turning 70 in September. 

Click here to watch Roger’s Interview! 

Roger Jackson

Events

Paint the Park Pink

In July 2025, the West Michigan Whitecaps held their annual "Paint the Park Pink" event, honoring breast cancer survivors and fighters. A portion of ticket sales raised funds to support breast cancer care services across Corewell Health in West Michigan! 

Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan Irish Jig

For over 40 years, the Corewell Health Irish Jig 5k has kicked off Michigan’s racing season. But 2026 is more than a starting line — it’s a turning point. This year, the Jig becomes a stand — a surge of runners fueling cancer research and care at Corewell Health. Every step brings hope closer to home. We’re taking the Jig WellBeyond anything it’s been before. 

Click here to learn how you can join us on March 14, 2026 

Jordan's story

When Jordan was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she began a two-year journey of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, relapse, and finally, remission.  

But Jordan’s story with Corewell Health didn’t end there. Today, you can find her in the Wellness Center at the W. H. Braman Cancer Center at Greenville Hospital, where she works as an oncology massage therapist, providing free massage therapy to patients on similar journeys.  

“It’s been full circle, cathartic and all around amazing. It’s wonderful just how many transplant nurses remember me, too. It reassures me of how amazing the care is here at Corewell. It’s healing - for them and for me.” 

When asked what she hopes her patients take away from their time with her, Jordan said, “Hope. A light at the end of what can feel like a never-ending tunnel. I hope they see that you can still have a fulfilling life after cancer and that it’s beautiful and scary and exhilarating all at once." 

Jordan
540 massages

massages performed at no cost to patients at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

617 hotel stays

stays provided at the Hampton Inn for patients and families in need of lodging assistance.

337 mammograms

mammograms performed at community outreach events.

540 massages

massages performed at no cost to patients at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

617 hotel stays

stays provided at the Hampton Inn for patients and families in need of lodging assistance.

337 mammograms

mammograms performed at community outreach events.

540 massages

massages performed at no cost to patients at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

617 hotel stays

stays provided at the Hampton Inn for patients and families in need of lodging assistance.

337 mammograms

mammograms performed at community outreach events.

540 massages

massages performed at no cost to patients at the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

617 hotel stays

stays provided at the Hampton Inn for patients and families in need of lodging assistance.

337 mammograms

mammograms performed at community outreach events.

Would you like to make an impact?

Give a gift to support Cancer Care at Corewell Health West.