People who have gone through it, and those who love them, know that chemotherapy is no “piece of cake.” But for Doug McPeak and Ansel Niemeyer, both of Bowling Green, MO, chemotherapy came with a piece of pie at the Blessing Cancer Center’s Infusion Center.
Kala Breder calls Blessing Obstetrics Nurse Shannon Zanger her “angel on Earth” after Shannon helped save her life. Kala thanked Shannon by nominating her for a Who’s Your Angel Award. The award recognizes a Blessing Health System team member for exceptional care and provides a donation to the Blessing Foundation.
Ron Milbert loved telling stories and he was able to leave stories – and his voice – behind for his loved ones with recordable books provided by the Hospice Hope Project Fund.
When her doctor told her that the lump she felt during a self-check in January was breast cancer, Amberly was shocked and overwhelmed. Not only was it cancer, but it was a rare and aggressive form. Blessing was there to help her financially when she couldn’t get it from anywhere else.
Danette Molidor, who has terminal cancer, has found peace, joy, and spiritual fulfillment through music therapy. The service is offered by Blessing Hospice and Palliative Care thanks to the Blessing Foundation.
Jennifer and Matt Ericson, whose daughter Freya was born prematurely, are grateful for the financial help they received from a Blessing Foundation fund that exists primarily because of the generosity of
Glenn Ford, diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer, needed emergency radiation therapy when the cancer spread to his spine, causing excruciating pain. But he wasn’t able to make the daily trips from his home in Macomb. That’s when the Blessing Foundation came to his aid.
When Karen Crook was diagnosed with multiple myeloma earlier this year, she had to get clearance from a dentist before she could start her cancer-fighting medications.
The Blessing Foundation stepped in to provide the resources.
When Sarah Kramer, a single mom working toward her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, encountered some financial problems, she started to worry. Thankfully, she was able to get help through a Blessing Foundation fund created specifically for nursing students in financial crisis.
Brad Billings was a young Blessing Hospital executive in 1983 when the Blessing Foundation got its start. Since then, the Foundation has flourished and evolved into a highly trusted local charity that makes a monumental difference in people’s lives.
Without carotid artery surgery, Judy Hastings was at high risk for stroke. But she couldn’t afford respiratory treatments needed prior to surgery to increase her chance of survival. The Blessing Foundation stepped in and Judy was cleared for surgery.
Tiffany Yates couldn’t hear everything she needed to as a radiologic technology student at Blessing Hospital, potentially derailing her dream. Blessing Foundation donors allowed Tiffany to succeed and begin her health care career.
Care coordinators and other Blessing staff members identify patients’ unmet needs and coordinate with the Blessing Foundation to meet those needs with donors’ gifts. Their compassionate approach offers hope at a time when people feel they have nowhere else to turn.
When Amy was admitted to the Blessing Behavioral Center during a mental health crisis, she had nothing. No clothes, no shoes, no family. She was alone and frightened. Donations to the Blessing Foundation help many patients like Amy on their recovery journeys.
Pink has become synonymous with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a symbol of hope and solidarity. But the support of the Blessing Foundation’s Breast Services Fund – through the purchase of pink apparel and attendance at community events – has an even greater purpose.
Angie Lockwood had just two cans of food in her home and couldn’t afford to go to the grocery store, and that meant she couldn’t keep her diabetes well managed. The Blessing Foundation stepped in to help Angie – like they do for so many people with diabetes in our region.
Devastated after losing their daughter, Allie, during childbirth, Jeri and
Zach Bemis found a way to keep their little girl’s memory alive, thank the staff of Blessed Beginnings for their compassionate care, and help other grieving parents in the process.
Blessing Hospital volunteers Lowell and Vickie Glas have given their time and talents for many years, but they also provide ongoing financial support through planned giving. Their donations to Blessing Foundation’s unrestricted fund will leave a legacy for years to come.
Katrina Wellman’s father fought cancer. Her husband survived a cardiac arrest. She felt blessed and wanted to give back – and the Blessing Foundation was the perfect fit. Then, she and her husband found a simple and fun way to get their company’s employees involved.
Starr Gold learned at an early age the power of giving to others. Now 86, she continues her commitment to helping people in need – while also honoring people she has cared about – with memorial donations to the Blessing Foundation. The reason for her support is simple and inspirational.
Todd Shackelford and his friends saw a need and acted on it, creating a Blessing Foundation fund called Big Hearts TAPP (Trains, Automobiles, Planes, and Phones). The fund helps hospice patients spend time with the ones they love at the end of life, and that time is a profound gift.
Heart patient Carol Dodds was sleeping in her chair. Cancer patient Julie Owsley was sleeping on her floor. The Blessing Foundation delivered gifts of comfort and healing to help them recover, gifts that significantly changed their lives.
When Gavin McDaniel was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the Blessing Foundation helped ensure he could stay in nursing school while undergoing treatment. Later, the Foundation and the Quincy University Women’s Basketball team gave Gavin the trip of a lifetime.
Eight-year-old Clare Conrad just wanted to help children, so she set up a lemonade stand with profits going to a Blessing Foundation fund that helps local families in a medical crisis - like Jim and Jennifer Blaesing, whose two kids, Mia and Logan, were hurt in a car crash.
At 94, GG Steinbach is still finding a way to help others. The seamstress has sewn more than 1,000 hats, turbans, scarves, and sleep caps in the past 10 years for cancer patients who have lost their hair. “It’s the least I could do,” she says. “I wish I could do more."
Eric and Katie Wait knew time with their sweet daughter, Evee, was limited because of health issues she couldn’t overcome. They wanted to throw her a big 1st birthday party, knowing it likely would be her only birthday party. The Blessing Foundation helped give Evee “a lifetime of birthday parties in one party.”
Since 1983, the Blessing Foundation has been giving back to the community that has given so much to all of us. The charitable foundation distribute grants, scholarships and financial assistance to individuals and families to help them on their healthcare journeys.
For more information about the Blessing Foundation or to discuss a donation or gift, call (217) 223-8400, ext. 4800, or email us at BlessingFoundation@blessinghealth.org