The Brighton High School Leadership Class made its largest-ever donation for Pink Week — its annual community-wide fundraising event of the class brings together students, families, local businesses, and community members — to support cancer patients receiving care at Trinity Health Livingston’s Warren R. and Lauraine A. Hoensheid Cancer Center.
This year’s event raised an impressive $103,031.11, with 100 percent of proceeds directly funding supportive cancer care services, including transportation to and from appointments, oncology counseling services for patients and their families, and services to help ease the effects that cancer can have on a patient’s appearance.
This total represents the highest fundraising achievement in the 14‑year partnership between the school and the hospital and brings overall contributions from Pink Week to the cancer center to $528,514.34 to date.
“Just when I think I couldn’t possibly be more impressed, these young people dig a little deeper, they give a little more of themselves, and they show us all the overwhelming power of a generous spirit,” said John O’Malley, president of Trinity Health Livingston and Trinity Health Medical Center Brighton. “To the students that were involved in leading this, and to everyone who helped make this record-setting donation possible, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This contribution will be put to work immediately, and it will help make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients.”
Over the years, the meaningful connection between Brighton High School students and the hospital’s cancer program has grown beyond fundraising. The annual check presentation includes remarks by student and hospital leadership, as well as guided tours of the Cancer Center — an experience that has been credited with inspiring students to pursue higher education and future careers in the medical field, including oncology.
“The highest level of care we can offer includes supportive services that help make a patient’s cancer journey a little easier,” said Dr. Katie Beekman, medical director of Oncology at Trinity Health Southeast Michigan. “A cancer diagnosis can bring so many challenges. This gift allows us to provide the same high‑quality care, along with the supportive services we would want for our own families.”
As a non-profit health system, Trinity Health Livingston relies on philanthropic support. The generosity of the Brighton High School Leadership Class and others in the community strengthens the vital services and support offered at the hospital and makes a meaningful difference for patients every day. If you are interested in supporting the health and vibrancy of our community, consider donating online or contact Lindsay Debolski, Trinity Health Livingston’s gift officer, at (517) 545-5151 or lindsay.debolski@trinity-health.org.
