Hearts United for Hope: Mercy Community Serves Cancer Patients

Under the leadership of student co-chairs Aileen Hart ’27 and Sophia Segars ’26, Mercy students and staff came together through the Hearts United for Hope project to assemble care packages for adult and pediatric cancer patients across the region. Each bag was thoughtfully filled with comforting items such as socks, hats, mints, lotion, activity books and handwritten notes. 

Aileen was inspired by the memory of her mother who battled breast cancer. After experiencing firsthand how meaningful care packages were during her treatment, Aileen wanted to share that same kindness and compassion with others through the Hearts United for Hope initiative which aims to provide empathy, positivity, and support. 

We thank members of the Student Service Team Camryn Alexander ’26, Darla Sherry ’26, Sophie Ouellette ’29, Sloan Sood ’29, Gabby Lemanski ’27, and Melany Acosta-De Anda ’29 who played a key role in planning, supply management, promotion, and organization.

Special thanks also go to staff leader Mrs. Bennetts and helpers Dr. Kline-Kator, Mrs. Hessler, Mrs. Casey, Ms. Willis, Mrs. Sattler, and Mrs. Tarplin.

Mercy is also grateful to the community partners who helped coordinate donations and distribution, including: Anisah McEwan (Cancer Support Community Greater Ann Arbor); April Brown, Megan Landry, Jenni Beamer, Truvella Porter, and Kathleen Harding (Karmanos Cancer Institute); Cortney Jones (private practice); and Jennifer Beamer (Corewell Health).

Through the Hearts United for Hope initiative, Mercy collectively assembled and delivered 220 (adult) and 80 (child) comfort bags to organizations including Corewell Health in Farmington Hills, Cancer Support Community Greater Ann Arbor, a private practice in Commerce, and Karmanos Cancer Centers in Farmington Hills and Detroit.