Happy Thanksgiving!

From my earliest Thanksgiving memories I can picture a classroom of little pilgrims and Indians, costumed and gathered to reenact that first Thanksgiving. I can almost smell the turkey roasting at Mom’s and see her beautiful table set with the good china and silver, festooned with a cornucopia, waiting for the extended family to arrive. And of course there was Grandpa, ready to cheer on his beloved Detroit Lions in the annual football game.

And always, in the midst of the food and noise and football and pies, there was a moment to give thanks for what we had – our life, our family, our friends – such abundance.

At this time of year, I like to pause and give thanks for what we have at the Cancer Support Community. First of all, we have you – our faithful friends and supporters. Without you, none of this would be possible. We rely on your generosity of spirit and resources which allow us to continue our work and outreach to the cancer community. Without you, we would not have navigated these choppy waters so well. Without you, many people would go unserved. So, I thank you deeply.

I am grateful for a talented and committed staff, which keeps this place humming each day. With less time to get it all done, and with growing demands, they come to work each day ready to go. Ready to greet that next person who walks through the door or calls for a calendar. Thank you Kathleen, Karen, Scott, Susan, Jen, Kathy, Alexis, Scott and Wilson.

I continue to be blown away by the faithful volunteers who come week after week to answer the phones, answer questions, manage mailings, do odd jobs and keep us organized. They are a precious group to us, and we ALL thank you for your devotion and energy.

The Board of Directors is an amazing group of people. Their job is enormous and demanding and critical to the future of our organization. They have a strategic vision for where we are going, how we will grow, and where to raise money to get us there. They are at the end of the phone whenever called upon, no matter the issue or concern. I am profoundly touched by what you do individually and collectively.

And maybe most importantly, I give thanks for the brave men, women and children who turn to us for support when they receive a cancer diagnosis. We often say that the hardest thing to do is to step through the front door at the Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland Mansion for the first time. Cancer creates stress, anxieties and raises serious questions. Cancer affects the entire family. Cancer is isolating. Cancer is exhausting. I am truly thankful that we are here for each of you when you need us during those moments.

Enjoy this holiday season and thank you for being part of our community.

Kimerly Hinkelman

Executive Director