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Reunion with a Cause in Holly benefits cancer patients

GENESEE COUNTY, MI – The sixth annual Reunion with a Cause to benefit Genesys cancer patients in financial need, will take place Friday, Aug. 14, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at Holly High School’s track.

Sponsored in partnership with the Genesys Health Foundation and the Holly community, this annual event includes a cancer survivor walk and celebration, family activities, a candle lighting ceremony, music, entertainment and
refreshments. Those participating are encouraged to collect donations.

The evening begins with opening ceremonies featuring event co-chair Butchie Mackey, a Holly resident and one of the original organizers of this fundraiser; Mark Taylor, president and CEO of Genesys Health System; and an awards  presentation to the group who raised the most money at last year’s reunion event, and to other members of the community for their outstanding contributions to Reunion with a Cause.

After opening ceremonies, cancer survivors will walk a survivor “victory” lap.

Musical performances and enterainment follow throughout the evening from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

At 9:50 p.m, a luminary lighting ceremony begins to remember all those whose lives were lost to cancer.

Nick Evans, chief development officer and vice president of the Genesys Health Foundation, will conclude the evening with closing remarks.

Last year’s Reunion with a Cause yielded almost $54,000, a recordbreaking amount. These funds were used to help Genesys cancer patients pay for medication not covered by insurance, medical equipment, rental equipment such  as wheelchairs, private pay aides, transportation to and from cancer treatments, and other special needs not covered by health insurance.

“This annual event celebrates and commemorates those whose lives have been touched by cancer, while helping those who are in financial need,” reports Evans. “We welcome everyone in the community to participate in some way – by  making a donation, by walking the track in memory of a loved one, by standing on the sidelines applauding the efforts of others, or by bringing their families to enjoy the celebration or walk in the luminary walk.”

For more information on the Reunion with a Cause to benefit Genesys cancer patients, call the Genesys Health Foundation at 810-606-6020.

Genesys partners with Buick Open to host party with pros

(GENESEE COUNTY, MI) – Genesys Health Foundation, in partnership with the Buick Open, will host its 17th annual Charity Classic Party. This year, as a special feature for partygoers, many golf pros playing in the Buick Open will attend the event.

The party takes place Friday, July 31, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Genesys Conference and Banquet Center. Cost is $250 a couple or $125 a person, and includes cocktails, a strolling dinner fare featuring specialties from more than a dozen local restaurants, a silent auction with sports memorabilia and other packages, and an opportunity to meet some of the golf pros on tour.

In addition to the Classic Party with the Pros, Genesys Health Foundation will host a golf tournament Monday, July 13 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc. Cost is $750 a person and includes 18 holes of golf on the site of the Buick Open, two tickets to the Party with the Pros, a gift package, continental breakfast and lunch (for morning golfers); and hors d’oeuvres for afternoon golfers. Golfers can choose morning or afternoon tee times.

Funds raised from these two events will go toward the expansion of the Special Care Nursery in the Genesys Family Birthing Center. Genesys Health Foundation is raising funds for a Level IIB Nursery, which will give Genesys the capabilities to care for higher risk babies – those born at more than 32 weeks gestation and weighing more than 1500 grams those needing mechanical ventilation, and those needing continuous positive airway pressure.

“Infant morbidity and mortality rates in Genesee County are among the highest in the nation,” reports Nick Evans, vice president and chief development officer for the Genesys Health Foundation. “As birth rates continue to rise in our community, this translates into escalating high-risk pregnancies, deliveries and a growing need for services to help this population. A Level IIB Nursery is desperately needed,” he points out.

To purchase tickets for the Genesys Charity Classic Party with the Pros or the golf tournament, call the Genesys Health Foundation at 810-606-7909, or go to www.genesyshealthfoundation.org.

Featured restaurants at the Party with the Pros include: Atlas Valley Country Club, Blue Collar Gourmet, Brick Street Bar and Grille, Cold Stone Creamery, Cranberries Cafe, DaEdoardo North, Damon’s Grill, Epoch Catering, Genesys Conference and Banquet Center, Italia Gardens, Rib City Grill, Taboon at the Valley, The Cake Ladies, The French Laundry, The Great Harvest Bread Company and Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. In 1993, Genesys announced its first Charity Clasic, a fundraising event where business and community leaders worked in partnership with Genesys to support its efforts to build a healthier future for area residents. Year after year, Genesys has continued this tradition of designating proceeds from the Charity Classic to improve the health of the community. To date, more than $1.8 million has been raised. These funds have been used to help the uninsured and underinsured obtain access to quality medical care and health care resources, provide scholarships to area residents interested in pursuing a career in health care, develop a parish nurse ministry program, and provide other needed services for the community.

Genesys Athletic Club hosts “Shakin’ it for a Cause”

(GENESEE COUNTY, MI) Genesys Athletic (GAC) is hosting a Ladies Night Out, Friday, July 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m., to raise funds for cancer patients at Genesys.

“Shakin’ it for a Cause” will feature one hour of dance exercise that includes Zumba, belly dancing, hula and Bhangra (high energy folk dancing); drinks and appetizers; a guest pass to GAC; a live auction for a private Zumba party; raffles for a variety of prizes; and a t-shirt for the first 200 women who sign up. Cost is $30 a person.

All proceeds go to Reunion with a Cause, an annual event held at Holly High School to raise money for Genesys cancer patients.

Child care services at GAC are open to those who need them at a cost of $3 a child per hour. All of this money will go to Reunion with a Cause.

To register for “Shakin’ it for a Cause,” call Genesys Athletic Club at 810-606-7300.

Reunion with a Cause is an annual walk on the track of Holly High School. Sponsored by Genesys Health Foundation, this event includes an evening filled with family activities, a candle lighting ceremony to remember loved ones lost to cancer, music and refreshments. Last year, more than $53,000 was raised for Genesys cancer patients. This money was used to help cancer patients pay for medications, medical equipment, rental equipment such as wheelchairs, private pay aides, transportation to and from cancer treatments, and other special
needs not covered by health insurance.

This year’s Reunion with a Cause will take place Friday, Aug. 14. For more information on the fundraising walk at Holly High School, call the Genesys Health Foundation at 810-606-6020.