Press Releases

MERCY REGIONAL CANCER CENTER HOSTS REACH TO RECOVERY VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Port Huron, MI…No one should have to face breast cancer alone. To help area patients diagnosed with breast cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) offers Reach to Recovery, a program that has been helping women (and men) with breast cancer cope with their diagnosis, treatment and recovery for more than 30 years.

Mercy Regional Cancer Center will host a FREE Reach to Recovery volunteer training Monday, April 17. The training will be conducted by ACS professionals. During the five-hour training, volunteers will be provided valuable information on how they can help others faced with a breast cancer diagnosis.

“Reach to Recovery volunteers are breast cancer survivors for a least one year and are committed to offering support to others in the area diagnosed with breast cancer,” comments Andrea Eastwood, Mercy Regional Cancer Center’s Cancer Committee coordinator.

Reach to Recovery volunteers are carefully selected and trained and are those who have adjusted to their breast cancer surgery and treatment experience. If you are a breast cancer survivor who would like to become a Reach to Recovery volunteer, please call the ACS at 1 (800) 227-2345. In order to attend the April training session, volunteers must be screened prior to the Mercy Regional Cancer Center-hosted event. Please call 1 (800) 227-2345 to obtain more information.

For more information about the Mercy Regional Cancer Center, or to obtain cancer screening guidelines, please call (810) 985-1603; or visit Mercy online at www.mercyporthuron.com.

pital announces the formation of the Mercy Hospital Foundation and is pleased to present its Board of Directors. This independent 501 ( c ) 3 foundation will be responsible for the expansion of long-range philanthropic endeavors on behalf of Mercy Hospital. In addition to a number of responsibilities, Foundation Board Members will serve as ambassadors of Mercy Hospital; help identify, cultivate, solicit and recognize donors; and serve as leaders in all foundation fund raising.

The foundation board recently held its first meeting during which Helen David of Port Huron was named Honorary Chair. Mercy Hospital Foundation Board Members include: Zeenat Anwar, MD, Port Huron; Mary Berdan, Port Huron; Ann Durand, Port Huron; Homeira McDonald, MD, St. Clair; Jody Platzer, Burtchville Township; Carolyn Crowe, Port Huron; Joe Vito, St. Clair; Bill Schwarz, III, St. Clair; Tom Simpson, Port Huron; and Gary Sullenger, Lakeport. Peter Karadjoff, Mercy Hospital President & CEO, and Sister Charlotte Young, RSM, will serve on the board as representatives of Mercy Hospital.

“Mercy Hospital recognizes Gary Sullenger, President of Baker College, for his outstanding commitment in the formation of the foundation and development of its board of directors,” comments Sondra Briese, Mercy Hospital Fund Development Manager. “Although Mr. Sullenger will be leaving his post at Baker College soon and moving on to a new career in San Diego, CA., he has left a lasting legacy in serving as the leader in the development of the Mercy Hospital Foundation. He has proven himself to be a dedicated friend of Mercy Hospital and he will be greatly missed.”

“Mercy Hospital has always had an active Fund Development Department that raises tens of thousands of dollars annually to support Mercy Hospital programs and services such as the Peoples’ Clinic for Better Health,” comments Peter Karadjoff. “The addition of the Mercy Hospital Foundation provides an enhanced level of dedication for the continuation and expansion of philanthropic activities in our community.”