Impact | Cancer Care | Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan

/ Cancer

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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

Acupuncture and Massage Therapy: In 2024, Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion expanded free acupuncture and massage therapy services, providing over 100 acupuncture appointments and 600 hours of massage therapy at no cost to patients. These services were moved to an offsite facility for better accessibility and convenience.
Resource Center: Engaged with 4,406 patients seeking information and support for specific diagnoses.
Beautiful You Salon Services: Provided 106 wigs, 116 chemotherapy bags, and over 300 stylist hours to serve patients at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.
Music Therapy: The Music for Health partnership with Grand Rapids Symphony musicians provided over 274 sessions in 2024, benefiting more than 200 patients, 250 team members, and 75 visitors with supportive physical, emotional, and spiritual experiences.
Expressive Arts: The Corewell Health Expressive Arts Program collaborated with Artists Creating Together in 2024, engaging Annalise Hammerlund, an Expressive Arts Therapist, to lead workshops that inspire hope, increase well-being, and improve health at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

Supportive Care Services

Acupuncture and Massage Therapy: In 2024, Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion expanded free acupuncture and massage therapy services, providing over 100 acupuncture appointments and 600 hours of massage therapy at no cost to patients. These services were moved to an offsite facility for better accessibility and convenience.
Resource Center: Engaged with 4,406 patients seeking information and support for specific diagnoses.
Beautiful You Salon Services: Provided 106 wigs, 116 chemotherapy bags, and over 300 stylist hours to serve patients at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.
Music Therapy: The Music for Health partnership with Grand Rapids Symphony musicians provided over 274 sessions in 2024, benefiting more than 200 patients, 250 team members, and 75 visitors with supportive physical, emotional, and spiritual experiences.
Expressive Arts: The Corewell Health Expressive Arts Program collaborated with Artists Creating Together in 2024, engaging Annalise Hammerlund, an Expressive Arts Therapist, to lead workshops that inspire hope, increase well-being, and improve health at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

Patient Assistance

In 2024, Cancer Care expanded its partnership with TrueNorth to provide patient assistance in Kent County. This collaboration has effectively utilized funds to address daily expenses and alleviate financial stress during cancer treatment. More than $43,000 made sure that 38 patients could afford dental care, prescriptions, rent/mortgage payments, utilities, auto repairs, insurance, and registration assistance, as well as urgent COBRA and medical insurance needs.

Community Engagement and Outreach

In 2024, Cancer Care partnered with Corewell Health’s Healthier Communities and More Life Mas Vida program to enhance access to cancer prevention and screening resources. Over three Saturdays, 45 people received early detection mammograms, at-home colorectal cancer screening kits, HPV vaccinations and cervical cancer screenings. This resulted in 50 mammograms, 26 colorectal kits, 20 HPV vaccinations and 10 cervical screenings.
In collaboration with the Intertribal Council of Michigan, the fifth annual mobile mammography unit trip to the Upper Peninsula provided screenings for 161 women, building trust with the Native American population in Northern Michigan.

Events

Gala 2024

On May 4, 2024, the Corewell Health Foundation West Michigan Gala raised more than $1.2 million for cancer care in West Michigan. With the message “Half of Us Need all of Us,” guests heard stories from patients, providers, and researchers who are working to find new therapies and treatment options for a wide range of cancers.

Paint the Park Pink

This event with the West Michigan Whitecaps was held on the weekend of Mother’s Day 2024. Nearly $6,000 was raised for the Betty Ford Breast Care fund for women with limited financial resources.

Betty's story

Betty, a Corewell Health cancer patient, is recovering from colorectal cancer surgery. Unable to work, she and her husband faced financial challenges, especially when an unexpected car insurance bill arrived. Living in a rural area, their car is essential for commuting and medical appointments. Funding assistance ensured their car remained insured, lifting a significant burden and allowing them to focus on Betty’s recovery. Betty expressed immense gratitude, saying the support helped her focus on treatments and family without financial worries.