Another Fabulous Recipe Share From Rivers Casino!!!
BSW Intern Lily Morrighan:
Hello Everyone!
I can’t believe we are at the end of the semester, it feels in some ways that not too long ago that it was September and we were all just meeting. We have had to be creative and embrace what it means to be a resilient social work! I want to thank you all for the hours you have spent on zoom opening up about yourselves and sharing. Even though this is the end of my internship, I am preparing to embark on a journey that is a dream come true for me, building a career based on the goal of equity. As Oprah says, I am embracing my true authentic power by aligning my personality with my purpose. I think I will lead a life well lived.
Thank you all again for such a great internship!BSW Intern Sukhpreet Grewal:
Hello everyone!
As my time here is ending at Hope Club I want everyone to know how grateful I am for the experience and meeting every single member. I can truthfully say that every single member taught me something from life to simply being grateful. Although my experience was not the ideal in person experience, we all learned and adapted together to still be able to connect with one another via zoom. I will forever remember my time at Hope Club as a time of learning, loving and spreading hope to everyone around me.
Group Updates!
Tonight will be our last night of Hopeful Cooking, join us at 6pm on Zoom to share dinner one more time!
As many of you know, my time with the HopeClub is coming to an end. Pretty soon, I will be graduating with my MSW (YAY!) and will be moving into the next chapter of my life. My goal is to continue my social work practice in the oncology field – I hope to provide as much support as I can to fighters, survivors, and families alike. As an oncology social worker, I will strive to keep the quality of life for those I work with at the center of my practice.
To be a part of the HopeClub community is one of the best experiences that I am lucky enough to have thus far in my life. Every member that I have interacted with has not only happily welcomed me, but has also taught me so much about perseverance, hope, dignity, and what it means to be strong. Before joining the HopeClub, my own definition of the word “hope” was limited to my own personal experiences. After having the honor to hear your stories, I am able to leave this experience with such a compound idea of what being hopeful means.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of such personal stories, experiences, and emotions – you have all taught me so much and have allowed me such incredible insight about what it means to have hope.
I wish you all the best!!! -Clare
Lily Morrighan
Hello Everyone!
I can’t believe we are at the end of the semester, it feels in some ways that not too long ago that it was September and we were all just meeting. We have had to be creative and embrace what it means to be a resilient social work! I want to thank you all for the hours you have spent on zoom opening up about yourselves and sharing. Even though this is the end of my internship, I am preparing to embark on a journey that is a dream come true for me, building a career based on the goal of equity. As Oprah says, I am embracing my true authentic power by aligning my personality with my purpose. I think I will lead a life well lived.
This week we are taking a moment to pause and reflect on the volunteers we are so grateful for!
A Farwell From The Interns
Chelsea: Hope Club has been an absolute pleasure to work with as my time as a master’s level social work intern. Despite the difficulties we all faced with an all online platform, Hope Club has prepared me for my future as a social worker. I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience and meeting all of you on my journey. I hope you all the best of luck in the future and thank you!Carissa: Hi everyone! I just wanted to say how thankful I am for having this experience interning at the American Cancer Society Hope Club. I want to thank Joni for being a great supervisor and giving me this experience. I also want to thank all the Hope Club members who I have had the pleasure meeting and working with. I had such a wonderful experience at Hope Club and I thank you all!
Volunteer Highlight
Winnie! Winnie is our Coordinator …. Keeps us inspired, organized, and helps PLAN the fun ways we Celebrate at HopeClub. She shares her wisdom, her kindness and her HEART everyday…. There is nothing she wont do to make sure people feel heard, listened to and supported!! She puts her heart into everything she does and for this we celebrate her.
1. After I retired in 2007 I wanted to volunteer at something. I was a cancer survivor and wanted to volunteer to help others diagnosed as well. I heard about GILDA’S CLUB which was here in Latham and I contacted them to volunteer. After some time the organization changed and became ACS HOPECLUB.
2. Volunteering since 2007.
3. What stands out to me and keeps me involved at HopeClub is the camaraderie that is at Hope Club among members and volunteers. Members welcome new people who are newly diagnosed and may walk in through our RED DOORS and feel nervous or anxious, and then we get to welcome them and help them to find comfort in meeting people who are also in treatment and living with cancer – who understand. New friendships are made every day that last a lifetime.
4. During the pandemic I have focused on staying healthy and safe. I am grateful that however I have been able to work on a project t since fall 2020. I have knitted hats which are then donated thru a couple of organizations. To date I have made about 120 hats. This gives me peace and comfort knowing people that need them are getting new warm hats in this cold weather.
A Thank You to March’s Artist!
Matt Cosgrove gave HopeClub and outstanding performance LIVE 3/20! Thank you Matt for being March’s Virtual Concert Performer!!!
Happening today! Don’t forget to join us!“Hope Club has been an absolute pleasure to work with as my time as a master’s level social work intern. Despite the difficulties we all faced with an all online platform, Hope Club has prepared me for my future as a social worker. I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience and meeting all of you on my journey. I hope you all the best of luck in the future and thank you!”
At the end of this month we bid a farewell and good luck to one of our Interns, Chelsea! Thanks for being a part of the intern team for 2020/2021!Cook dinner with us this coming Thursday!This weeks Bon Appetit contribution from the Fabulous Rivers Casino! Join us this Thursday at Noon, Marissa will be joining us to say Hello!
We have another fabulous show organized for you featuring 2 crazy talented artists! The event will be taking place via zoom, if you have any questions connect with Lily at lily.hopeclub@gmail.comLAST CALL TO ORDER! Orders due this Friday! Daffodil Days is an opportunity for everyone to join the American Cancer Society in saving lives, celebrating lives and leading the fight for a world without cancer. Dollars raised through Daffodil Days support groundbreaking research, patient services, and other lifesaving programs. Through the daffodil, the first flower of spring, this campaign brings a symbol of hope to cancer patients and those affected by the disease.
• For a $10 donation, receive one bunch of daffodils as a thank you • For a $10 donation, sendone VIRTUAL bunch of daffodils via email as a thank you • For a $15 donation, receive potted mini-daffodils as a thank you • For a $25 donation, instead of receiving flowers, you can support the Gift of Hope program where volunteers deliver daffodils to local hospitals
To participate, simply collect donations from your friends, co-workers, teammates and neighbors and place a group order by February 26, 2021. Individual orders also accepted! The donations will be credited to your fundraising efforts for Making Strides of Albany 2021.
Daffodil Days orders will be available for pickup at the ACS office in Latham March 24th – 26th, 2021. *Delivery is available for orders of $500 or more. Additional pick up locations will be added as well. If you are interested in hosting a pick up location please let me know.
Please reply to this email for more information or for an order form.
Give Daffodils. Give Hope.
Thank you for your support!
Cynthia Somma Community Development Manager cynthia.somma@cancer.org 518.220.6936 Click here to view Daffodil Days on FacebookThis Thursday Join Lily via HopeClub FB Live to experience a guided meditation with her!NEW GROUP ALERT! The pandemic has caused us to get creative with ways to exercise, but sometimes running and walking can get tedious or lonely. The HopeClub now has a walk/run club, Miles of Hope, which is meant to provide a community where members can motivate others, find new areas in the capital region to explore, and connect with others. To join, send Clare an email at clare.hopeclub@gmail.com, message us here on Facebook, or request an invitation at www.strava.com/clubs/hopeclub ! You don’t need to be a runner, walking is welcomed! Next, download the FREE app called “Strava” and make a profile. This app will serve as the mile counter where you can track your walks and runs. Clare is available for one on one tutorials on how to install and use the app. This club is virtual, and how you want to participate is completely up to you! We will cheer one another on via the Strava app, share photos of the areas we are exploring, and set up occasional zoom meetings for “face to face” connection (or you can even meet up with a group member for some safe, socially distanced, and masked up miles, if it is safe to do so). *Join before March begin, as a goal for Colorectal Cancer Month will be to walk or run 40 miles!*
As I sit here at my desk looking out the window contemplating the grey that is this winter day I begin to notice little details that pop out when I shift my perspective. The glow coming from a thin space in clouds illuminated by the sun, a sneaky patch of blue sky, the way the bare branches look like lace against the sky when I soften my gaze. We may get wonky this time of year, but my orchids find something invigorating and are bursting with lifeforce. Just now a fluffy cardinal landed in a tree and is now lending his beauty to the landscape. How much do we write off because the ‘time isn’t right’ or because we need to achieve some other far off goal first? Yesterday is done and we have no control over tomorrow. What we can do is slow down and ask ourselves what is beautiful and soul satisfying right this moment. When you do, you may just feel the universe smile back at you.
Member Highlight!
Milana Pettingell
Milana’s picture should be in the dictionary next to the words – generous, resourceful & community connection. She is the epitomy of a “Can DO” attitude. She sees an unmet need or an opportunity to gather resources and she puts a plan together and makes it happen. She has been a connector, a party planner, a HopeClub team spirit lifter, and so much more. She is a listening ear, an engaging personality that has certainly kept HOPE alive for our members, volunteers and staff. She also has been an organizer of countless fundraisers for Hopelub, helping the community to feel connected to the American Cancer Society and our mission. SO glad to Celebrate our friend and inspiration – Cheers to you – Milana ❤
Some Words From Milana!
My family has always been active in the community and I personally have been volunteering since I was in elementary school. It has been by privilege to assist food pantries, soup kitchens, mental health groups, fire department auxiliaries and religious organizations. Two years ago, I began volunteering at HopeClub. My three children were grown, I had been a primary caregiver for a family member and close friend two times in five years, and I had shared the road of life with many of my students as they waged their own wars against cancer. I wanted to volunteer where I could possibly help others experiencing the challenges cancer presents.
Although I have acquired many memories of my volunteer experiences, there is one common thread, that serves both as warp and weft in my volunteer tapestry. This “thread” is the memory of how the simplest action can produce a profound, positive impact on the life of another. Whether it’s reading to a child suffering with Glioblastoma, preparing food for someone in need, or holding the hand of a caregiver preparing for the death of a loved one, you have the ability to make a difference. The experience in turn will forever impact your heart.
During the pandemic I have found joy spending additional time with my three children, cuddling with our three dogs and two cats, sharing conversations with friends and organizing small, socially distant events and fundraisers. I look forward to seeing all of our HopeClub members and friends, and assisting with activities in the near future
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
NEW GROUP ALERT! The pandemic has caused us to get creative with ways to exercise, but sometimes running and walking can get tedious or lonely. The HopeClub now has a walk/run club, Miles of Hope, which is meant to provide a community where members can motivate others, find new areas in the capital region to explore, and connect with others. To join, send Clare an email at clare.hopeclub@gmail.com, message us here on Facebook, or request an invitation at www.strava.com/clubs/hopeclub ! You don’t need to be a runner, walking is welcomed! Next, download the FREE app called “Strava” and make a profile. This app will serve as the mile counter where you can track your walks and runs. Clare is available for one on one tutorials on how to install and use the app. This club is virtual, and how you want to participate is completely up to you! We will cheer one another on via the Strava app, share photos of the areas we are exploring, and set up occasional zoom meetings for “face to face” connection (or you can even meet up with a group member for some safe, socially distanced, and masked up miles, if it is safe to do so). *Join before March begins, as a goal for Colorectal Cancer Month will be to walk or run 40 miles!*Cook Dinner Together With Us Tonight! Contact Lily at lily.hopeclub@gmail.com for the Zoom Link! See you at the StoveFor more information contact Christine at bartonc321@gmail.com
Today is #WorldCancerDay, in which we honor fighters and survivors, remember those who have been taken by cancer, pay respect to the medical and support staff devoted to the fight, and wish peace for the individuals and families whose lives have been changed by this diseaseRelay may look different this year, but our passion is unchanged! Join us on Thursday, February 4 for a nationwide virtual kickoff on Facebook Live. We’ll come together as a community to kickstart another year of celebrating lives, sharing stories, and using our strength as a community to fight for a cancer-free future. Relayers make the impossible possible. Join us! https://facebook.com/relayforlife/live?__cft__[0]=AZXvm-Vfs4zeS9WTnTJhXkT9RGcexxxBrrViW-Lme8v6jAaSS5hsFPicUpvrsmHdD5FurW9AArYRFBxWdVBJTqMqVG5AmOJin_JdqKvdv3X0tcPIK5dANUavKp5YTN7-J4c&__tn__=qFebruary is #NationalCancerPreventionMonth ! The American Cancer Society is devoted to its mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer. Cancer prevention is key to achieving this goal. Join us all month (and beyond) in the fight to raise awareness and affect changeTranquil Corner returns with Lily and Sukhpreet, Thursday 2/11 at 6pm. We will be live streaming FB on the HopeClub page!
Member Highlight!
Doris Ramirez-Romero
Doris has been an invaluable resource and amazing part of the heart of our work at ACS HopeClub.. She is a survivor yes.. and is so much more … her wisdom, mentoring, and outreach skills continue to help us make connections and open doors in the community… and her Latin Cooking class always has a waiting list … mouths drooling and people inspired to taste some delicious nutritious Latin meals filled with Hope!
An Interview With Doris
What led you to decide to be a volunteer at HopeClub? As a cancer survivor, I wanted to to give back to the community that embraced me when I was initially diagnosed in April of 2104. I remember how welcomed and supported I felt when I walked threw the doors looking to become a volunteer in 2014 and shared my story to only realize I needed to become a member at that time.
How long have you been volunteering? I have been a volunteer since 2016 assisting with recruiting student interns at SUNY Albany and attending Health Fairs on behalf of the American Cancer Society. What I have enjoyed most are hosting the Latin Cooking Classes. It has provided an opportunity to speak to newly diagnosed members about other support systems and resources in the Capital District in addition to teaching traditional Latin dishes.
What is a memory that has left a lasting impact on you while volunteering? It always impacts me when I meet with a newly diagnosed person. I know first hand the overwhelming feeling of hearing the words you have cancer and thinking you are all alone. While volunteering I have had several experiences when I have come across someone that is feeling scared, overwhelmed and unsure of what the future holds. I appreciate the amazing services Hope Club offers to support survivors in different phases of treatment.
What is something you are doing during the pandemic that brings you joy? Hosting our Family Sunday Fun Day, during warmer weather we would all go and play pickle ball then come home, enjoy the pool and BBQ with our family and friends. We also had themed dinners that each family member planned and organized, including dinner out to support the local restaurants during these difficult times.
After a short hiatus your editing intern has returned and this is the place where you know you will be in the know! At the bottom of each new post you can like and share to others via Facebook or email! Are you new to the news? Fabulous! Be sure to subscribe so that each week it comes right to your in box.
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http://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/upstate-ny-designer-purse-extravaganza1Calling all caregivers and loved ones! Spending time caring for those around you is an incredible job. You are appreciated and you are amazing! We want to give back to you and provide a space for you to connect with, as well as to offer and receive support from other caregivers. Our Family, Friends, and Caregivers group meets every Monday at 5pm over zoom, and it is open to youNew year, new week, new day… while a new year is refreshing, it can also feel overwhelming. This ten-minute reset can help with focusing on one day at a timeIn the spirit of new beginnings, bring your “beginner’s mind” to meditation to find out what it’s all about or reconnect with your practice. All you need is yourself and a chair (or the floor). We’ll meet Mondays, join us whenever you can. For the zoom link email Christine at bartonc321@gmail.com
“Half an hour’s meditation is essential except when you are very busy. Then a full hour is needed.” ~ Francis de SalesContinued Isolation and concerns for the future call for radical self care! Here is a fun game you can play so that each day you are consciously doing something kind for you! When you hit BINGO reward yourself in whatever way feels deliciously decadent to you!
If you want share on the HopeClub Facebook page to inspire others!
Use the tag #hopefulselfcare in the post!HopeClub is known for it’s caring community and we are going to continue that on here virtually! We are looking to recognize our volunteers that are the heart of the agency. Nominate someone that you know needs a light of gratitude shined on them!
Email your nominations to: lily.hopeclub@gmail.com or joni.richter@cancer.orgHopeful Cooking returns to Facebook Thursday February 4th! Stay tuned for menu announcement!
The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting on the 2nd Sunday in December unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor the memories of the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren who left too soon. There are a few ways to participate in TCF’s Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting this year.
The first way is to find a local program near you. Chapters are offering both virtual and in-person candle lightings (following CDC guidelines). Click on the link below to find a local candle lighting program. Each program will provide more information, along with a person to contact to receive more details about the candle lighting. https://www.compassionatefriends.org/virtual-worldwide-candle-lighting/?bblinkid=246221298&bbemailid=26818060&bbejrid=1774269001We’re looking forward to another wonderful Bon Appetit this week with Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady! Here’s a sneak peak of the delicious recipe that we’ll be sharing this week. We love this partnership- thank you Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady for all you do!HopeClub is proud to announce that on December 19th we will hear performances by: Kari Lynch, Colm Gavin, and Ashely Sofia! Enjoy a medley of Holiday Classics and Original Pieces!! “Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.”
Those not wanting to ingest raw eggs can enjoy store bought eggnog and for those interested add a splash of rum and Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a fresh grating of nutmeg!!!!
ACS Hope Club Newsletter 