Home > Newsroom > News Archive

News Archive - Progress Newsletter Winter 2002 Online

Notes from around the Cancer Center

Sheila Morris Receives American Cancer Society Award

On June 8, Sheila Morris (left, with her son, Brad Morris) became the first Child Life Specialist to receive the American Cancer Society's Lane W. Adams Award for Excellence in Caring. Eleven people from across the country received the honor at a recognition ceremony in Atlanta. The award is given to individuals who have shown innovation and consistent excellence in providing care to cancer patients and their families.

As part of the Cancer Center's pediatric hematology/oncology team, Sheila and her Child and Family Life co-workers Lisa Engbrecht and Mary Plato create a child-friendly atmosphere that allows "kids to be kids." Through the use of distraction and coping techniques, Sheila helps reduce the stress of medical procedures. In addition to her daily efforts in the clinic setting, Sheila has found other ways to help patients and their families. One of her many accomplishments is starting a school re-entry program for oncology patients to make the transition back into their classrooms easier. She has visited more than 200 schools to present information to patients' teachers and classmates. She also played a large role in implementing Sibling Day and the oncology reunions for patients and their families.

Sheila's work and commitment to helping families is embodied by her favorite quote from Erik Erickson: "Play is children's work." Her co-workers, the patients and their families all notice and appreciate Sheila's dedication. Her colleague Lisa Engbrecht says, "Any staff member who has observed Sheila's compassion and commitment to the children and their families has walked away with a new appreciation for their own role as a caregiver."

return to top

Share Your Hope and Humor!

The U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center's web site section, Share the Hope and Humor, is a place for patients, survivors and loved ones to share the inspirational messages that have helped them on their cancer journey. Please send poems, short stories, inspirational quotes and humorous items to Maxine Solvay, U-M Cancer Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0759 or e-mail: msolvay@umich.edu.

Trademarked and copyrighted material can only be used with written permission of the publisher. Materials will become the possession of the Progress editor and cannot be returned.

Hats with Hugs
When cancer touches a loved one, there is often a feeling of helplessness. But one Florida resident who lost a daughter, son-in-law and niece to cancer has taken action - and patients at the U-M Cancer Center are warmer this winter because of her. According to her family, 85-year-old Lorraine Janse spends many hours each day knitting hats, which are then distributed free-of-charge to cancer patients at hospitals across the country.

Since 1998, she has knitted more than 1,300 hats - about three per day - as part of the "Hats With Hugs" program, a volunteer effort dedicated to knitting, crocheting and donating hats to those who have lost their hair to cancer treatments and other illnesses. Each hat is unique because Lorraine receives a mix of yarns from church donations and other sources.

If you would like more information or are interested in donating yarn, please contact Mary McCully, Cancer Center Volunteers, at 734-936-8307 or mmccully@umich.edu.

return to top