Community members assemble to celebrate hope

BRIGHTON, Mich. - Local families and individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer attended the moving dedication of the Cancer Resource Center at the Warren R. and Lauraine A. Hoensheid Cancer Center on Sunday, June 1. Together the American Cancer Society and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System offer this free service that aims to help educate those coping with cancer and to provide information to anyone in the community seeking answers.

The event drew approximately 50 people to tour the center and witness the dedication. Speakers included Megan Roether, executive vice president of the American Cancer Society, Kathy Kasperek-Korelis, oncology program director at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Dr. Ros Stuber, generous donor for the center and long time participant in the American Cancer Society, a survivor’s message given by Nora Kessel, and concluded with a blessing by David McNeil, outpatient oncology chaplain for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

“This center allows us to further support our community by providing easily accessible information and assistance to patients. The Resource Center is a great addition to the services offered at the Cancer Center,” said Kasperek-Korelis.

The Cancer Resource Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. The center is fully staffed by trained American Cancer Society volunteers who are available to refer patients to appropriate resources and answer any related questions. The Cancer Resource Center is made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Ros Stuber and his late wife, Darbi.

David McNeil, outpatient oncology chaplain for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System delivered a blessing for the resource center to close the dedication.

At the open house, guests were encouraged to browse literature provided by the American Cancer Society and St. Joe's, and to participate in raffles for prizes from each organization.

Jeff Jacobs, planned giving officer of the American Cancer Society, presented Dr. Ros Stuber with a legacy gift commemorating the generous donation from Dr. Stuber and his late wife, Darbi, making the resource center possible.