Photos from the Inspirational Holiday Celebration for Cancer Patients can be seen here!
Sing like no one is listening.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching,
and live like it's heaven on earth.
- William Watson Purkey
There is always a reason to celebrate when your loved ones are around. And since it's the holidays, that means that there is an extra reason to do so. Methodist Hospitals took it a step further with their Inspirational Holiday Celebration. This celebration, courtesy of a generous donation from Mark McDaniel, a 12 year cancer survivor treated at Methodist Hospitals, was held at the organizations Merrillville location. It was specially geared toward cancer patients and survivors at Methodist Hospitals.
Alex Horvath, Vice President of Human Resources Marketing and Methodist Hospitals Foundation Interim was at the event along with Heather McCarthy, Methodist Hospitals Foundation Board Chair. They both were enjoying the festivities.
"Mark is just one of those special people in our community who chooses to give back," McCarthy said. "This is all his doing. In addition to celebrating his good health he's celebrating the hospital and what the oncology department does for this region."
"It's a special night for all of the cancer survivors as well as for the people currently going through treatment. Mark had raised the money an underwritten the entire thing for them," Horvath said. "Mark has a vision, and we do too, to make this an annual event. It's an excellent opportunity to celebrate and give back."
The theme for the event was "Peace, Love, Joy and Music", and there was a full display of these four nouns at the party. Patients and survivors brought guests with them, welcoming in the holidays with family and friends.
There was lots to see and do. Christmas carols were performed by the Grimmer Middle School 8th grade choir in Schererville, Vincent Adams entertained guests with his acoustic guitar skills, there was an ugly sweater contest, and a nice spread of food was set out for everyone to enjoy.
Santa stopped by for a bit. He still had a few days before he had to hop in his sleigh and deliver gifts to boys and girls around the world. Gifts were given out to the cancer patients and survivors, making their holidays even more special.
"I was a patient here 22 years ago and when I was released I began donating to Methodist Hospitals," McDaniel said. "Every year I host this fundraiser called Giddy Up Games Pond-A-Palooza Music Festival. In the last two years we've donated over $5,000 to the Foundation. I wanted to have part of that be put toward a special party for cancer survivors and those in treatment. One thing for sue sure is that you shouldn't go through life alone and I want to make this a repeat event."