generous and giving community in Northeast Ohio.

We are honored to receive donations and

funds that support our free programs

and services for those touched by cancer.

 Individual and Student Donors

We are thrilled to have the support of individuals in the community. This quarter, we were especially amazed by the students who took time to support The Gathering Place through fundraisers!

Ben Light, Director of Operations, and Eileen Saffran, Executive Director, with Max and Karen Steiger at “Kaps for Karen”.

Kicking Cancer with Lily Steiger

Kaps for Karen with Max Steiger

ASAP student’s fundraiser with Strongsville Schools

Rachel George’s fundraiser at Albion Middle School

Hanna Light and Mallory Chylla’s Lemonade Stand

Roger and Brigid Burzanko’s fundraiser

Cassandra Davis Knitting Circle

Volunteers from the Child Life Specialist program at The University of Akron

Community and Corporate Donors

 Business and community donors make it possible for The Gathering Place to offer our services completely free of charge.  We cherish our community partners!

Beth Darmstadter, Director of Development, with Dan Stefano, Vice President of Manufacturing at Norman Noble.

DaVita

Norman Noble

Community Shares Cleveland

Downtown Willoughby Thinks Pink

AT&T  Pioneers

 Laurello Vineyards and the Grand River Valley Ice Wine Festival

Giant Eagle in Westlake

Howard, Wershbale & Co

Nature Stone

Vanity Lab

The Rock Pile

Sports Time Ohio

Chico’s

Cell Phones for Cancer

We love sharing pictures of members of our community who support The Gathering Place.  If you have any photos of fundraisers for The Gathering Place that you would like to share, you can send them to orlowski@touchedbycancer.org.  We may be able to include them in posts like this!

On my special day, I cannot help but take a few moments to think about birthdays and the cancer journey.  For some, a birthday is a day to celebrate the distance we have traveled since the word cancer entered our lives.  For others, a birthday is a day to remember and honor the life of a person who passed away.  And, to others, a birthday may be just another day in the year.

Regardless of your feelings about birthdays now that cancer is a part of your life, I hope you are in a place where you are able to embrace your feelings and acknowledge that they may or may not change.  We are all different in the ways that we choose to recognize milestones in our lives.  Some people love celebrating and others do not.  I encourage you to do what feels right for you in the moment as sometimes that is the best that we can do.

The way that I spend my birthday has remained consistent throughout the years.  Whether it is the actual day or the week of my birthday (yes, sometimes I celebrate for an entire week), I have always spent the time surrounded in love of family and friends.  My personal perspective is that birthdays are a time to celebrate life.  I choose to do this every year with those who mean the most to me.

The meaning of birthdays and my feelings around them have changed over the years.  As I get older, I have found that my feelings of gratefulness and peace within myself grow as each birthday arrives.  As my life becomes more beautiful with my career, relationships and opportunities, I feel blessed that I am given the chance on my birthday to celebrate past experiences and look forward to the bright year ahead of me.  Progressing into young adulthood as a cancer survivor has given me many gifts; a few of them being the ability to recognize that birthdays are special and that it is important to me to take time to celebrate how far I have come on my journey.

How has the cancer journey impacted your perspective on birthdays?

Amy Chmielewski, MSSA, MA, LSW, is an oncology social worker at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. Amy’s cancer experience has inspired her career of supporting individuals and families on their own cancer journey.  Amy is currently in her eighth year of survivorship from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  She is also greatly involved in the cancer community.  Amy is a volunteer in the children’s program at The Gathering Place and serves on the Patient Services Committee for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Northern Ohio Chapter.  Amy’s awards include the LLS Patient Services Hope Award and Dean’s Award for Outstanding Student Achievement from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Amy is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where she earned two master’s degrees in social work and bioethics.  Amy is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book.  She enjoys writing and speaking in the cancer community to raise awareness about young adults with cancer. 

In order to avoid  the delays consider accessing Detroit from Columbia Road.

If you’re coming to TGP West from I-90 East take the Columbia Road exit South, instead of Clague Road, and turn left onto Detroit.

Hopefully this ‘heads up’ will help to cut down on some of the frustration that these necessary repairs will cause drivers.

On Friday, March 22nd a group of our participants discussed Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo. The discussion was led by program staff members, Betsy Kohn and Eileen Coan. Our participants received the added bonus of being able to talk with the author, Roland Merullo, who participated via conference call from his home in Massachusetts.

Breakfast with Buddha is a work of fiction about a man who unwittingly finds what he’s missing in the most unexpected place. Mr. Merullo shared that he drew on life experiences to create the story. While talking with participants in the book discussion group he shared about spiritual practices, plot development (he lets the characters of the story determine the direction and lead him on a journey) and traveling with his children. Our participants were able to share with him how much this book meant to them.

Several of our participants found that the book was life-changing as it helped them to gain spiritual awareness, as well as recognize that they can find humor, even when faced with the challenges life brings (being diagnosed with cancer, caring for someone diagnosed with cancer, or having a loved one die from cancer). Just as the two main characters in the book, Otto and the Buddha (Rimpoche), learn about each other as they travel the United States, our participants expressed the cancer experience has taken them to unexpected places which they are learning to navigate with a greater sense of peace and comfort.

The next discussion takes place in June and the book is One Good Deed: 365 Days of Trying to Be Just a Little Bit Better. Perhaps you’ll join Betsy and Eileen as they focus on the positive effects of reaching outside of ourselves even in the face of a cancer diagnosis. They will invite the author, Erin McHugh, to join the discussion. Keep your fingers crossed.

Click here   to register for the Beachwood book discussion – Friday, June 14th, 1:00-2:00pm

Click here   to register for the Westlake book discussion – Thursday, June 27th, 1:00-2:00pm

Eileen Coan, MA, MLS, Medical Librarian
After a decade in the nonprofit mental health field, Eileen obtained a degree in Library Science to address the need for relevant, credible information for people in crisis. She started the first consumer health cancer library in Cleveland at Fairview Hospital’s Moll Center and has been with The Gathering Place since it opened in 2000. Eileen works to overcome the stereotypes of librarians! She also teaches guided imagery, journaling, and craft activities at The Gathering Place and has a special interest in bioethics. Contact Eileen at coan@touchedbycancer.org

Betsy Kohn, MS, PC, Director of Volunteers/Program Staff Member
Betsy brings to The Gathering Place many years of experience in coordination and supervisory roles. She came to The Gathering Place to use her organizational skills and positive, supportive communication to assist volunteers in finding their place as part of our community. Betsy is also a member of the clinical program staff and facilitates support groups and workshops, as well as provides individual counseling. Contact Betsy at kohn@touchedbycancer.org

While you’re at Laurello Vineyards, be sure to stop by The Gathering Place table where Laurello will be supporting The Gathering Place by selling “Wine for the Cure” t-shirts!

The ticket cost is $6 per person at each winery, which includes an Ice Wine cordial glass, wine samples, an appetizer and special events. Bring in a canned food item and receive $1 off to help support local food banks.  Other participating wineries include Ferrante Winery, Debonné Vineyards and Grand River Cellars & St. Joseph Vineyards.

Instead of making the typical resolutions for weight loss, getting out of debt or finally putting an end to procrastination, my resolutions are now focused on living a healthier lifestyle, being an admirable person, working hard, living in the moment and allowing myself to splurge every now and then! Cancer motivates me to live a life for which I am proud. I am less focused on beating myself up over losing 5 pounds instead of 10. I am more focused on eating healthier foods and exercising while allowing myself to occasionally splurge on dessert! I am less focused on pettiness and hurting others that have hurt me. I am focused on being good to those who are good to me. I try to be a person that is thoughtful, caring and genuine on a daily basis. I am focused on living in the moment and spending meaningful time with people in my life. I tell those around me how I feel about them instead of keeping everything inside. Cancer has changed my life for the better. I am confident that as I grow and welcome more “New Years” into my life, I will continue to learn from cancer as my experience always lives in me.

For those who know me, whether it is in person or through this blog, I have grown a lot in 2012. I look forward to the blessings that 2013 will bring! I also look forward to sharing more writings with you and express my genuine thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!

Please share how your resolutions changed since cancer touched your life…

Amy Chmielewski, MSSA, MA, LSW, is an oncology social worker at The Cleveland Clinic. Amy is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where she earned two master’s degrees in social work and bioethics. Her cancer experience has inspired her career of supporting individuals and families on their own cancer journey. Amy is currently in her eighth year of survivorship from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Amy is a volunteer in the children’s program at The Gathering Place and serves on the Patient Services Committee for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Northern Ohio Chapter. Amy’s awards include the LLS Patient Services Hope Award and Dean’s Award for Outstanding Student Achievement from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Amy is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book. She enjoys writing and speaking in the cancer community to raise awareness about young adults with cancer.

I met Fran during The Gathering Place’s first dragon boat racing foray. I had the pleasure of getting to know Fran during the course of our strenuous practices and then competitive race day. I remember learning that she would schedule her chemotherapy in order to miss as few practices as possible. Fran went on to participate in our next two years of dragon boating, however was too frail to be an active part of our competition this year. Her team, however, welcomed her participation in their final practice even when it was clear that her death was eminent. Never, in the three years of dragon boating, would Fran allow anyone to give her a “pass” for not giving it her all. She was “all in” and encouraged all team members to participate to their fullest.

Gwen’s extracurricular activities included ultra-running. This form of running is defined by long distance events. I don’t mean the “simple” marathon distance; rather the 100 milers.  I learned that Gwen had recently run the Burning River 100 mile Endurance Race, however was disqualified based on taking too much time to reach the 70 mile mark. Gwen’s disqualification was particularly disappointing as she had  just completed a round of intense chemotherapy the same week as the run. Instead of taking pride in completing almost ¾ of the race feeling the negative effects of her chemo treatments, she lamented her inability to finish what she set out to do…cancer or no cancer.

The bottom line is that neither Fran nor Gwen allowed cancer to define their lives. Yes, they couldn’t deny many of the negative realities of their diagnosis including a probable shortened life span, however they defined cancer survivorship in a way that taught many of us who crossed their path a lesson. As The Gathering Place enters our 13th year, I know that we will have the opportunity to meet more Fran and Gwens who have the courage to walk through our door. Against all odds, they too will teach and inspire us to live life to the fullest for as long as we have a chance to do so.

Eileen Saffran is the founder and executive director of The Gathering Place. Click here to read more about her.

Jerry does more than just drive the AmeriCab taxi that makes several trips  each week bringing participants and their families for programs and services. He remembers the names of all his passengers and their stories. He helps them in and out of the taxi and knows when not to help those that would rather do it themselves. Everyone who uses the taxi service always has kind words to share about Jerry because of how important he makes each participant feel. It’s as if he is their very own personal driver.

Once we had a participant who didn’t show up at the door of the apartment building for a scheduled pick up. Jerry called The Gathering Place to ask if she’d cancelled. She had not. Jerry had been bringing this participant to TGP for some time and knew it wasn’t like her to not show up. He also knew that she hadn’t been feeling well and she lived alone. So Jerry went back to the apartment building and talked to the super who called the apartment. When the super didn’t get an answer he went up to the apartment and knocked on the door. Our participant called out that she had fallen and needed assistance getting up.

Jerry’s job is to drive people back and forth between two destinations but what he does is help to make a difference in the lives of our participants. We are grateful that he goes above and beyond and that we can count him as a part of our caring community. Thank you Jerry!!

1. My Mom – My Mom is the sole person who has been with me through everything; she was the one who told me I had cancer, accompanied me to every doctors appointment, chemo treatment, surgery, shaved my head, held my hand, rubbed my back when I was in pain, told me things would be “ok” just when I needed to hear it. She shared in the tears and the smiles, made me feel unconditionally loved and surrounded by hope even when I felt down and alone. She held things together when my world was falling apart.

My Mom never passed judgment on me; she just supports and loves me, no matter what happens. She is the most beautiful, brave person I know. I hope that each of you has a person in your life, whether it is a parent, sibling, spouse, friend or family member, that is able to truly live your journey with you. I cannot imagine what it was like for my mom to watch her daughter experience everything that comes with the cancer territory, but she was always there. Presence makes the world of difference. Appreciate the person who walks with you and cherish every moment of their support.

2. Oncologist and Nurses – My oncologist and nurses have been with me every step of the way. I always feel like myself in their presence, not just another patient on their list of many. When I was first diagnosed, everyone took the time to get to know me for the person I was at that point in my life. One blessing is that my medical team continues to grow with me to this day. My questions are welcomed and answered honestly. I am never rushed in or out of an appointment. I always feel supported and comfortable in their care. I am thankful to be able to have such a great medical team; they are truly at the forefront of guiding me through a healthy survivorship.

3. The Gathering Place Community – At TGP, I have been in a variety of roles including participant, volunteer, speaker and writer. In my role as a participant, I became a member of a group of young adults who understood me in a way that I did not think was possible. I learned so much about friendship, coping with cancer, enjoying life, gratitude; all of which has changed my life for the better. As a volunteer, I am able to give back to other TGP participants in a meaningful way. In my role as a speaker and a writer, I continue to share my story with the cancer community; ranging from medical students to the readers of this blog. I cannot say “thank you” enough for the opportunities that TGP has sent my way. With each opportunity, I feel myself making strides in my survivorship, both personally and professionally.

4. Family and Friends – One of the most difficult things for me post-cancer has been developing my identity as a young woman who is also a cancer survivor. My family, especially my Mom, my brother, Adam, and my beautiful friends have helped me to feel as “normal” as possible while giving me the space I need to talk about my life as it relates to cancer. Without my family and friends, I would not have found myself or felt that I could be open to sharing how cancer impacts my life. I am thankful for the people who continue to bless my life with their presence, love and support.

5. Social Work Colleagues – Being that I am a new graduate, I have to admit that it is weird for me to think of myself as a colleague to the talented social workers who have been a significant part of my career development. There are many social workers that have given guidance, words of encouragement and knowledge to benefit my practice. I am especially thankful to Debbie and Nancy, my internship supervisors in graduate school, who always gave me the time and space that I needed to process my thoughts and feelings. Their kindness helped me to establish myself as an oncology social worker that is also a cancer survivor. I will always be thankful to those who view my survivorship as a blessing to the patients and families that I will work with throughout my career.

I hope everyone has a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday!

Who are the people you are thankful for on your cancer journey?

Amy Chmielewski, MSSA, MA, LSW, is an oncology social worker.  She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where she earned two master’s degrees in social work and bioethics.  Amy’s cancer experience has inspired her career of supporting individuals and families on their own cancer journey.  She is currently in her seventh year of survivorship from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Amy is a volunteer in the children’s program at The Gathering Place and serves on the Patient Services Committee for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Northern Ohio Chapter.  Amy’s awards include the LLS Patient Services Hope Award and Dean’s Award for Outstanding Student Achievement from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.  Amy is published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book.  She enjoys writing and speaking in the cancer community to raise awareness about young adults with cancer.

Mike is on a cancer journey that began in May of 2011 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. His cancer was advanced so there was no option for surgery but rather a year of chemotherapy treatments. When Mike was diagnosed he and his wife were living in Connecticut running a business. As treatments continued, they began to take a physical and mental toll on Mike and he had to sell his business.  He and his wife moved to Cleveland to be with their daughter.

Mike started coming to The Gathering Place about six months ago. He was aware of a similar organization when he lived in  Connecticut called Ann’s Place and searched for something like it in Northeast Ohio. Every week Mike attends a support group for individuals with cancer. Mike says, “the group members share a very special bond. It’s something that you really can’t describe. When you come to the group you’re reminded that you’re not alone, you’re not the only one going through this.” For Mike, the group helps in challenging times, like this past September when tests showed he had new tumors.  Mike underwent radiation and is looking  forward to scans in December to see how the treatments worked.

Within a short period of time, Mike has experienced significant change in his life. When asked how he was coping he shared that he and his wife were doing better than he imagined they would. He states, “You know, before all this happened I would have thought that such news would make me fall to pieces. But I haven’t. I’m learning that most of what happens in life isn’t as big a deal as you think it is. I thought it would be such a big deal to close my business but it turns out that it wasn’t. It’s really about relationships and connections.” Since closing his business and moving to Ohio Mike has been making the most of time with family and doing the things he likes to do. You can hear the love in his voice when he talks about how this time has helped him and his wife become closer than ever.

Mike believes in giving back and he’s been helping The Gathering Place educate nursing students about the impact of cancer on individuals and families. He expressed that participating in the fashion show at Beachwood Place this Saturday is a way for him to give back as well. As Mike was sharing this, his wife was in the background providing some additional commentary. He laughingly confessed that his wife suspected he was participating in the fashion show because of vanity. Mike admitted there might be a little bit of truth to that. If you take a look at the video from Fox 8 news where Mike makes his modeling debut you’ll see that he seems quite comfortable in the limelight.

When asked if he had any parting words to share he noted, “My wife and I have both come to recognize that life is a gift. It’s not permanent. What’s important is not the length of time but the quality.”