(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last Monday, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club heard from Dan Layman, Community Liasion Manager for The Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan. It’s mission is to ensure the emotional, social, and financial stability of Michigan patients and families as they navigate their blood cancer journey.
Founded as The Children’s Leukemia Foundation in 1952 by Harry and Sylvia Brown in Detroit after they suffered the loss of their child, the organization changed its name as it grew to encompass other forms of blood cancer: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Aplastic Anemia, and others.
Seventy-seven percent of patients are asset limited, income constrained, and employed.
He reported that currently there are 79 adults and 21 children receiving services, and that 5 years is the average that patients stay with the program. In 2023, 2,680 patients were served.
Immediately after receiving a cancer diagnosis, patients face an average of $4,000 in medical expenses. The foundation will help up to $500, in addition to disease education, emotional/behavioral health support, and social support.
Please visit www.bloodcancerfoundationmi.org for more information.
We thank all the community members who stopped by our food concession trailer to get a hot dog, a knackwurst with sauerkraut, or volunteered to work in the trailer during the Chelsea Community Fair. Operating our trailer there is our largest fundraiser, enabling our club to continue its support worthy local groups. Some of the groups that benefit from our support:
- Chelsea Preschool Scholarships
- Chelsea Parent Teacher Organization
- Chelsea Library Summer Reading Program
- Faith in Action
- SRSLY
- Chelsea Boy and Girl Scouts
