Happy New Year! Sorry we are a bit late. It’s been a busy start to 2012.

2011 was a good year for Cancer Services. Through the generous support of individual donors, foundations and corporations, we were able to provide support and assistance to over 2,400 people with Cancer in Northeast Indiana. It warms our heart to know that those people and their families had someone to turn to in a scary and difficult time.

Here are some highlights:

Several organizations, schools and individuals hosted fundraisers for us and we cannot thank them enough. We could not do what we do without the support of our community, so thank you to Sean O’Leary, Eagle Scout; Greatbatch Medical, Basket Raffle; East Noble Swim Team, Paint the Pool Pink; East Noble and Wawassee Gymnastics, Stick it to Cancer; Central Noble High School, Basket Raffle; Jill Sample, Z00-de-Mackinac; Eagles Auxillary; Denise Buhr, Discom-BOOB-ulated; Neuhouser Garden Center, Pink Day; Amber Nelson, Birthday donation; Quadrant Foundation; Eastside High School and East Noble High, Volley for a Cure; Mitchell’s Sports Bar & Grill, Motorcycle Ride; Jaclyn Youhana, Count Moments Bracelets; Beat BC 5k; Scotts/Kroger, Cancer Day; Fort Wayne Derby Girls, Bust A Move; K105, Pickin’ for Pink; Kent Hormann, Blue Ball Open; Guardian in Ligonier; Knights of Columbus; Bishop Luers, Pink Week; Red Hot Hattitudes; Something Old Something New, Dollar Sale; Snider High School, blanket donation; Mad Ants; and 12 Bands Before Christmas.

Staff participated in National Wear Red Day in February, and several local organization and business people participated in Tie1On for Prostate Cancer.

We hosted several information and educational workshops and forums, including “Men Facing Grief“, Living with Grief, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and “Cancer and the Law”, which brought in professionals and healthcare employees to learn more about these topics. We successfully launched Tai Chi and restarted re-Energize, our exercise program, and continued Caring Touch, our oncology massage program. We also launched our Social Media luncheon series, providing the opportunity for over 200 individuals and companies to learn more about social media and how to use it effectively.

In April, we were invited to be a featured charity at the Tin Caps season opener. One of our clients even got to throw out the first pitch! We also participated in this year’s Chalk Walk for the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and Fort for Fitness.

We hired a new part-time Children’s Advocate, Beth Koenemann, and had a lot of fun at Kids night with the Tin Caps, our annual pool party, and Zoo Day! We were blessed with a handful of interns, three of which shared their stories with us: Brandon, Nick and Kristin.

Two of our staff members received honors this year. Gail Hamm, program director, was named Social Worker of the year, and Amber Recker, development director, was honored at the Top 40 Under 40 Awards.

Supporters, clients, volunteers and staff came together for our three fundraisers, to enjoy sharing stories and creating a strong Cancer Services Community. Read the recaps from those events: Design on Life, Lapper, Tribute Dinner and Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.

And, of course, we could not do what we do without the support of our army of volunteers. Read about some of them here: Viola Ramp, Bill Seidel, Susan Swardenski, Ribbon Crafters, Receptionists and mailing volunteers.

Here’s to a great 2012!