Cancer Families United

09/21/2024

📣UPDATE📣

Friends and supporters - on behalf of the CFU board of directors we have a sad announcement to make.

Our Co-Founder and President, Mary Kay Pederson, was recently diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and will begin treatment the week of September 23. We are shocked and saddened to learn of this devastating news, but also, hopeful and confident that Mary Kay and her family will rise up to meet the challenges head-on, as they did for their daughter Emma, and all the families CFU has supported over the years.

For the remaining 24-25 school year, the Mattawan Dream Team, lead by Amanda J Rounds will be utilizing the funds they raise to support any current pediatric patient referrals. At the conclusion of the school year, CFU will sunset operations ….

It has been our honor to raise awareness for pediatric cancer families and support them with the best of our abilities.
Now, we ask you include our fearless leader MK in your thoughts, prayers and encouragement for better, brighter and healthier days.

Thank you!

09/01/2024

September 1 - the first day of childhood cancer awareness month.

Gold is the nationally recognized awareness color - if you know a child who has had cancer, is currently in treatment, or who has passed from cancer - show support with something gold this month and let them know they are not alone!

🎗

08/10/2024

^^^SURVIVOR CELEBRATION UPDATE^^^

Earlier this Summer, CFU was honored to host a 1st birthday party for Emelia and her family at Pinspiration in Portage.

CFU's new program initiative, Survivor Celebrations, is an important part of the healing process as a child endures cancer treatment. Because treatment is so hard on the body and can be dangerously unpredictable - it's important to live in the moment and celebrate without delay! Families participating in our programs receive a custom celebration at no cost to the patient.

Emelia was scheduled for a serious procedure at an out-of-town hospital just a few days after this party! We wasted no time getting this party on the calendar and sharing the joy she brings to the world with her family and friends.

Special thanks to Pinspiration Portage for curating the most special keepsake crafts and providing five-star service and care to the family and guests.
Also, a very special thank you to Mattawan Dream Team for continuously fundraising for us so we can continue celebrating our survivors!

To learn more, visit https://www.cancerfamiliesunited.org

03/11/2024

We did it!
The first NO MO CHEMO party of 2024 was a huge success!

CFU and the Mattawan Dream Team planned an incredible party celebrating two brave and resilient boys from Mattawan Elementary who recently ended their chemotherapy treatments at Bronson Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinic.

Brody and Alex invited their classmates and family to join the celebration of their NO MO CHEMO - which included an epic dance party, glow-in-the-dark necklaces, custom tote bag crafting, glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoos, games, silly selfie fun and yummy food and desserts. CFU wanted to give these kids an afternoon to celebrate and have fun with their friends and classmates because these boys have endured so much in their young lives that it was our mission to go all out celebrating the END OF TREATMENT!

We gifted the boys a custom banner, a "Cancer Crusher" medal, and gold ribbon awareness shoelaces to wear proudly!

Special thanks to the Celebration Committee for their time planning, setting up, and cleaning up the event, and to The Dance Zone for providing the space to host the party! A special shout-out to Mike McCormick for the "Cancer Crusher" design, which is still used to celebrate pediatric cancer warriors!

We look forward to celebrating the next survivor!
If you would like to support our Survivor Celebration program, visit cancerfamiliesunited.org

12/17/2023

▶️ Watch this reel https://www.facebook.com/reel/681966094048046?fs=e&mibextid=0NULKw&fs=e&s=TIeQ9V

Ok crafty friends... If anyone wants to take on this project for next year CFU Holiday Party it would be immensely appreciated and super cute prop! Spring yard sales are 4 months away and summer would be a perfect time to work on Christmas props 😀🙏

12/14/2023

Our website is fixed!
Visit us and see what's new!

Pediatric cancer support and information

12/12/2023

Friends,
Due to a server issue with Google our website will be down temporarily until the transfer to a new server is complete.
We apologize for the inconvenience but will be back up soon.

Thank you!

12/11/2023

Congratulations Mackenzie!
Thank you for all your time and effort to make events happen that benefit CFU!
We appreciate you! 🤩

The Mattawan Dream Team is thankful for this incredible member! She is a fantastic leader, and she inspires us all to advocate in the most creative ways. You’re the best, Mackenzie! 💛

12/11/2023

Wow!
It was an amazing day at the Holiday Party!

We were overjoyed to host our most precious guests of honor from Bronson Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Radisson Downtown Kalamazoo!
It is an absolute honor for us to create an afternoon of fun, happiness and cherished memories that we will hold dear to us for years to come. Thank you to our amazing partners Traci Phelps Studios LLC - TPS and competition dance team for working so hard today and providing volunteer service at the activities; and your kindness and warm, friendly personalities to all our guests! And special thanks to Shannon Jacobs Photography for capturing all the memories for us to look back on and relive today and all its joy!

We are also so grateful to Western Michigan University Athletics for sending us Buster Bronco to add to the fun as well as the Kalamazoo Growlers for letting Porter join in the fun! We love that our community is part of this magical day!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from
CFU

12/22/2022

A simple act of kindness can make the biggest impact in someone’s life!
CFU was fortunate to help the Panera restaurant in Portage adopt a family for Christmas and deliver gifts sponsored by the team at Panera. The manager Chris, was also a former Mattawan Dream Team member and knew the blessing it would be to help a pediatric cancer patient and their family.
We also contributed a few stocking items from the Holiday Giving Project earlier this month!

We love helpers! And we love helping helpers more!

Happy Holidays!

12/15/2022

Tis’ the season.… 🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄
Holiday Giving Project 2022 was a success!
So much gratitude for Traci Phelps Studios LLC - TPS and each dancer and their family that made this possible.
✔️They donated
✔️They wrapped gifts
✔️They volunteered their time
✔️They made over 100 cards
To be able to provide dozens of gift bags and donated gifts to the patients at Bronson Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

Grateful 🙏

Happy Holidays 🎄

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our families, friends and supporters! May this holiday fill you with love and hope!