Dear friends,
Below you’ll find our last Catalyst of the year. We hope you enjoy reading this update on all the amazing work happening in our community, through the foundation.
Have a festive holiday season! Thank you for supporting Summit Health Cares.
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A Lot is Happening at the Summit Health Cares’ Cancer Resource Centers
It’s been a busy fall at SHC’s Cancer Resource Centers! Read on for updates from new programming to generous donations – all aimed at reducing the stress of patients with cancer and their families.
NEW Berkeley Heights Cancer Resource Center
There is a new Cancer Resource Center open in Berkeley Heights! Conveniently located in the lobby on the way to treatment, the Resource Center is chock full of helpful information and open to patients for drop in visits. Patients can browse a wall full of cancer resource information to learn about free rides to treatment, support organizations, financial assistance, caregiver information and so much more.
In addition, patients and caregivers can meet with a dedicated patient navigator, Monica Cotton. Monica is the Manager of the SHC Cancer Resource Centers and meets with families to share information about critical community resources such as wellness resources, organizations, mind/body classes, support groups and programs tailored to the needs of each specific patient and family.
Stop by the new Berkeley Heights Cancer Resource Center today to take advantage of the support and resources available.
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Music in the Atrium and Pet Therapy are Back in Person
With the pandemic looming, two cherished Comfort Project offerings have been held virtually or on-hold altogether. But beginning this summer, that changed. The beloved musician Bob Egan has been offering his tunes via Facebook Live, but now that it’s safe to do so, he is back at Florham Park on Thursdays with Music in the Atrium to serenade guests with song. Many patients and caregivers look forward to seeing Bob’s smiling face each week and now they’ll be able to sing along right beside him.
The friendly therapy animals and volunteers from Creature Comfort can be spotted throughout the infusion floors at each cancer center weekly, eliciting smiles - not just among patients with cancer, but also among caregivers and health care providers. The dogs visit on rotating days to give all patients a chance to meet them. During a long, drawn-out day of cancer treatment, a surprise visit from a pet can be just what the doctor ordered. Research shows that therapy animals can not only brighten a patient’s mood, but they can also decrease blood pressure, relieve stress and help promote healing in patients undergoing chemotherapy. “It was so nice to have the dog around,” said Amy. “I watched him with other people too and he just brightened their faces.”
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Mind/Body Programming Expands
Research tells us that mind/body techniques can help patients with cancer reduce stress and anxiety, as well as with the side effects from cancer treatments. SHC offers many mind/body programs and we’re thrilled to announce several brand new programs at both cancer center locations. A new Group Reiki Energy session has been added at lunchtime to renew and refresh patients, caregivers and staff. Moves That Matters has been modified to also accommodate chair side visits and Guided Distance Reiki sessions are now available. “I just wanted to let you know that I did the Pilates class yesterday and had a Reiki session with Wendy this morning,” expressed Leslie, a participant. “Both were spectacular!” Please come by the Cancer Resource Centers to see a full schedule of our free programs or request to receive our monthly calendar email by contacting us at resourcecenter@sh-cares.org.
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Community Donations Bring Warmth to Cancer Patients |
Kindness is contagious and SHC is truly fortunate to benefit from the kindness of volunteers, partners and community organizations. Recently, two community organizations began donating items that are making a big impact. The students at Morristown High School and Newark Academy have once again donated hand-made blankets. These beautiful, cozy blankets help keep patients with cancer warm during long chemotherapy sessions and let them know that someone is thinking of them.
The Garden Club of Somerset Hills is also working to brighten the day of patients with cancer. They’ve generously started donating gorgeous flower arrangements. The flowers adorn the reception area during Music in the Atrium, then Comfort Cart volunteers give them to patients in the infusion and radiation areas.
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Cancer Resource Center Needs More Volunteers
Interested in helping others? Please join us! SHC is looking for volunteers for our Cancer Centers in Berkeley Heights and Florham Park. Our volunteers visit patients with our Comfort Cart, help in the Gift Shop, assist our Patient Navigator in connecting patients and their families with a myriad of resources and most importantly, are compassionate people who touch the lives of patients and their families.
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SHC Hosts 10th Annual Golf Invitational
Participants Join Together to Raise Funds for Neighbors in Need
This September, golfers came out swinging for Summit Health Cares’ 10th Annual Golf Invitational at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, NJ. Participants enjoyed the beautiful fall weather, along with 27 holes of golf, including nine holes on the only SGA-rated par 3 course in the US – the Hickory Course, as well as 18 holes on the traditional Highlands Course. The breathtaking view from the course added to the excitement of the day as a sold-out crowd weaved through the holes and onlookers bid on the online auction – all for a good cause.
Proceeds from the event allow SHC to support our neighbors in underserved communities across New York, New Jersey and Oregon, helping them gain access to the medical, educational and social services they need to live a healthier life. This manifests in free medical screenings and education for clients at local food pantries; mentoring future health care professionals and offering Mind/Body therapies and support to patients and their families fighting cancer.
“We are really grateful to all the people who came out to support us,” explained Joe Finocchiaro, Executive Director. “It was truly a great day!”
It takes a village! THANK YOU to the volunteers, sponsors, partners and community members who helped make this event a success. We are grateful for your generosity.
Finally, congratulations to all of the participants.
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LUNCH: A Workplace Intervention, featuring Michal Levison, Deemed Huge Success!
Fundraising Event for Food, Health, Hope Focused on the Importance of Reconnecting for Women
Ever feel like you need a moment to recharge? Reconnecting to work, community and family are critical elements in feeling fulfilled and being productive. This fall, Michal Levison of Seasoned Moments brought her research-based, data-driven strategies to an event called LUNCH: A Workplace Intervention, to help arm women with the tools they need to reconnect. Levison is a speaker, engagement expert, author of two Amazon five-star rated cookbooks and importantly, a leader in the Growing Healthy Communities revolution. She uses food as a gateway, teaching women that mealtime is an opportunity for connection, creativity and productivity.
Funds raised from the event support SHC’s Food, Health, Hope: An Answer to Diabetes program (FHH), aimed at identifying food pantry clients suffering from diet-related medical conditions. FHH provides access to free health screenings, education and healthier foods to help improve the lives of clients and their families.
“Science has shown us the benefits of the shared meal – as an opportunity to slow down, de-stress, catch up, share stories, teach and learn, and most importantly to bond,” explained Levison. “Many of us are literally starved for connections. Food nourishes mind, body and soul. Food shapes us, creates our identities, and even forms our relations to others.”
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SHC Extends Heartfelt Gratitude during this Season of Thankfulness
November is a month centered around thankfulness and SHC is thankful for all of the volunteers who give so generously throughout the entire year to help us bring our mission to life. We wanted to give a “shout out” to a few groups for going the extra mile.
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Thank you to Provident Bank and Summit Health’s Revenue Cycle Team! The Revenue Cycle Team raised more than $1,000 to help us purchase backpack supplies for our annual back-to-school backpack drive. Along with the Revenue Cycle Team, six members from our community partner, Provident Bank, came out to load more than 48,500 school supplies into 738 backpacks, helping prepare students for a successful start to the school year.
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Kudos to our generous Cancer Center Volunteers for helping set up and staff the brand new Resource Center in Berkeley Heights! With their help, we are able to support a host of new patients with cancer and their families. We’re also eternally grateful to all of our volunteers for continuing to champion the work of SHC and engage others in the community to contribute.
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Thank you to the hundreds of Summit Health/City MD employees, especially the Podiatry Department, who graciously volunteered through early October for Food, Health, Hope: An Answer to Diabetes (FHH), speaking Spanish and Creole to make clients more comfortable and providing compassionate care to those in need. And a special “shout out” to the Pharmacy Department, who has been leading the “Brown Bag Program,” reviewing client medications, demystifying medications and providing free medical advice for FHH clients.
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We are grateful to SH’s Finance Team who packed up period supplies as part of our Fresh Start Initiative. About 25 members of the team joined together and packed up 2,000 bags with 10,000 feminine hygiene products, which will be distributed to women in need at FHH events throughout New Jersey.
SHC wouldn’t be able to provide care, transforming lives if it weren’t for the cadre of volunteers who show up all year long. And there’s more to be done! Thank you for your continuous generosity.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Summit Health Cares' 2023 Annual Gala & Auction
Saturday, May 6, 2023
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