Game On Cancer to Donate and Deliver Three Weeks of Meals to Cancer Patients and Families

DETROIT – Game On Cancer and the Henry Ford Cancer Institute’s Division of Supportive Oncology Services will deliver meals to more than 100 cancer patients and families. Food deliveries will be made on Monday and Thursday of each week. Team members delivering the food will utilize a touchless drop off method to protect the health and safety of the patients and volunteers. 

“In this time when our communities are being pushed to the limit, it’s incredibly inspiring to see so many doing all they can to help one another,” said Mary Jane Vogt, senior vice president and chief development officer at Henry Ford Health System. “It’s a testament to the resiliency of us all and a shining example of our community looking out for some of its most vulnerable members.”

The donated meals were made possible in large part by Game On Cancer’s support from Kroger Co. of Michigan. With a mission to always be there for their communities, The Kroger Co. of Michigan has been a long-standing partner with Game On Cancer. 

“The work that Game On Cancer does for their patients is truly remarkable,” said Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager at The Kroger Co. of Michigan. “No family should have to worry about their next meal, and especially not while they are trying to focus on healing. We know that those patients are our customers in most cases, and we want them to know that we are there for them.”

It takes partnerships in our communities, such as Kroger Co. of Michigan’s support for Game On Cancer, to help get food to families who need it most, Hurst added. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients must be especially careful as their immune systems may be weakened.

“For many cancer patients, it’s not safe to leave home during this public health emergency, and that can make it difficult for them to secure the healthy and nutritious food they need,” said Danielle Nelson, director of Supportive Oncology at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute. “We are grateful for the opportunity to give back and help to provide meals for those in need during this unprecedented time.”

The Henry Ford team will meet each Monday and Thursday morning at ArtBlock, an art-infused collaboration space that has temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Launched through a grant from the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation, its parking lot will serve as the headquarters for food distribution. The food will be transported to the headquarters using refrigerated trucks and delivered to patients’ homes by the Henry Ford team members. 

“Game On Cancer has been an absolute blessing for my family and me,” said Tonya Wright, a patient of Henry Ford Cancer Institute. “I can’t thank them enough for the many ways they have provided support that we needed. It makes it easier for me to focus on healing and completing my treatment."

A partnership among Henry Ford Health System, The Detroit Lions and The Detroit Pistons, Game On Cancer provides assistance to cancer patients and critical cancer research funding. Now in its sixth year, Game On Cancer has raised more than $5 million over the program’s lifetime, thanks to the support of donors and fundraiser participants. 

“One of the unique things about Game On Cancer is that 100 percent of the funds raised goes towards our mission,” said Christina Johnson, Henry Ford Health System senior development officer and Game On Cancer leader. “Through the support of our donors, fundraising teams and sponsors, Game On Cancer provides a platform for funding groundbreaking research, enhancing patient care by alleviating barriers or burdens, and supporting clinical programs that allow for best-in-class cancer care.”

To learn more about Game On Cancer and how you can help make a difference for patients of Henry Ford Cancer Institute, visit henryford.com/services/cancer/get-involved. 
 


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MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Adkins / (586) 307-2027 / jadkins6@hfhs.org