The beautiful fall weather is growing colder, the leaves have fallen from the trees, and Thanksgiving is almost upon us.  This Thursday people all over the country will gather together with friends and loved ones to celebrate the things for which we are grateful.  We here at VOH hope that there are many blessings in your life, and that your Thanksgiving is a happy one.

If you, like many, choose to also make this a time of giving back, please consider making a donation to Voices of Hope on  #GivingTuesday.  The money you donate will go directly to the Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Target Therapies at Mass General Hospital, where it will help to fund their continuing efforts to develop new and better treatments for cancer.  

 

VOH sang at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer again this year.  We love this event, it's such a wonderful day of solidarity and strength.  This year the teams raised over $1.3 million dollars for the American Cancer Society!

Our fall gala, To Life!, was an incredible success.  We'd like to thank everyone who came together to make this production possible, from our tech staff to our artistic team to our incredible, dedicated performers and musicians. Thanks to all who came out and supported our performance!

VOH was invited to sing for Facing Cancer Together, a organization that provides free emotional and social support for people with cancer and their loved ones. We were honored to be asked to sing, and to be a part of such a special evening. 

The Marketplace in Lynnfield invited us back to carol again this year, and though it was a cold and rainy evening it was full of holiday cheer.  Thanks to all who attended!  

 

The day after the Gala I received a beautiful and humbling note from Dr. Keith Flaherty, the M.D. Director of the Termeer Center at MGH.  We are deeply honored that he, his family, and many of the nurses from the Termeer Center came to see the show.  We admire the work they are doing so much, and are truly grateful that he took the time to join us for our fall Gala.

For our spotlight this month, we're sharing with you the letter written by Dr. Flaherty.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support you give us, which in turn allows us to support this wonderful cause.

Dear Greg,

Last night I had three, deeply appreciated hours to reflect on what it is that VOH brings to me, to us at MGH, to our area, and so far beyond.

When I said to you and other board members that witnessing the maturation of VOH was an inspiration, what I meant was that you have honed the ability to walk the tightrope between sorrow and joy. It is so hard and nearly no one is bold enough to attempt it. I realized that this is what I and my colleagues at the Cancer Center are confronted with every day. In my own clinic this year, I've lost patients who were dear to me and with whom we invented treatments in attempt to turn the course. But, at the same time, I am blessed with entire clinic sessions of patients who are survivors of metastatic melanoma, for whom there was no chance of such an outcome just five years ago.

At home, I lost my father earlier this fall. Though his death came after a very difficult year, it was a tall emotional cliff. In the week after his passing, I found myself seeking to learn what VOH has perfected: a balance of celebration and mourning. Last night, I remembered that this is the most powerful life lesson. A life in denial of sadness is as bereft as one that doesn't embrace happiness.

Thank you for persevering in your efforts to teach. I deeply appreciate the instruction.

Sincerely,
Keith

Keith T. Flaherty, M.D. Director,
Henri and Belinda Termeer Center for Targeted Therapies
MGH Cancer Center

Raise Your Voice With Ours!

Have you or a loved one been impacted by cancer? Want to sing along side us? Want to organize a fundraiser for us? Want to ask us to come sing at your fundraiser? Let us know!  We believe that each new voice brings us closer to the cure.

You can contact us here.