Children's Hospital Visit – June 16, 2008
By Nikki Follis-QFAD Children's Hospital of Michigan Coordinator

We had a great time at Children's Hospital on Monday, June 16th. We were honored to welcome back Officers Angela Rudolph and Wendy Flanagan from the Detroit Police Department, as well as Carie Deaton. We also were honored with newcomer Lieutenant Gerod Funderburg from the Detroit Fire Department at this visit.

Angela, Wendy, Gerod and Carie took care of the crafts with the children on Monday. Carie and Angela also helped a couple of the girls with tattoos, makeup, and nail painting. The kids were very outgoing and it seemed there was plenty of laughter throughout our visit.

We had only 7 children attend our function this week and one room visit. Though this is a low number for our Children’s Hospital visits, we would like to think it is because we have many healthy children that simply were not in the hospital that day. The day started off slow, but before we knew it, we had a room full of children putting together crafts and having plenty of fun.

This was a magnificent visit and it appeared that everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank you to those who helped this week – Angela, Carie, Gerod and Wendy! Your effort is genuinely appreciated.

Fun was to be had by all at the First Annual Spring Fashion Show held at Gilda’s Club on April 5. QFAD had 25 amazing volunteers to assist with the event that day. What a fantastic job everyone did in keeping the event running smoothly and successfully.

For 24 girls, the day began with time spent at either Excel Academies of Cosmetology or Gilda’s Club’s personal salon made possible by Excel as well as Ruth Bellamo. The Excel students took the time to provide hair, makeup, and nail services to all of the girls involved ensuring that they would look their absolute best for the event.

The next step was to the dressing room where they were able to change into both their casual and formal outfits provided by Macy’s. Macy’s provided personal shoppers for each of the girls giving the girls a celebrity shopping experience. Each girl had two outfits that fit their personality to a tee. There were some fantastic spring colors….yellow, orange, green, etc.

Onto the photographers next for the girls. We had five photographers on hand for the event. Cristine’s Camera,  Aly Darin Photography, McConnell Photography, Jody Andrews and Jenny Elliott were all there documenting the event taking glamour shots of the girls (which will be provided to each girl free of charge) and getting an overall aspect of the events that occurred that day.

24 girls made their way down the runway modeling both their casual and formal attire. They were absolutely stunning. Each one of these girls looked as if they had been modeling their entire life! Smiles, tears and cheers filled the room. It is amazing to look into the audience and see each person sitting there with a colossal smile on their face. This event was not only for the girls, but for their friends families as well!

We had an amazing turnout with over 150 people in attendance. A large number of the girls have already been in contact asking when the next fashion show event will be! They are looking forward to being a part of our Second Annual Spring Fashion Show in 2009!

Queen for a Day was contacted regarding a young woman named Rosanna Rubago. Rosanna is a senior in high school and was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was scheduled for surgery to remove the ovary and possibly a kidney on May 21, 10 days before her senior prom. Rosanna was very determined to make it to her prom, QFAD was asked to help, if in fact she was able to attend. On the day of the surgery a 12 lb. cancerous tumor was removed, when the tumor was removed the kidney immediately turned pink and began to function again. The tumor had been lying on the kidney.

The day before prom her doctor gave the Ok for her to attend prom.

Since none of the volunteer from QFAD is professionals at nails and hair styling, we called Ruth Williams, volunteer and director of Excel Academies of Cosmetology and asked if there would be someone able to help. Student Sarah Heddleston along with teacher Lisa Hall, made the 45-minute trip to Rosanna’s home and treated her to an afternoon of pampering.

 I received an email the day after prom telling me how glamorous Rosanna was and that she received a lot of special attention at prom.

A great big thank you to Ruth for always being there to lend a hand, and to Sarah and Lisa for helping make Rosanna’s prom something to remember.

DATE:            January 9, 2007

Volunteers for the day were Sara McGregor, Melissa Morgan (Miss Michigan Teen National), Emily Morgan (Miss Michigan Teen Sweetheart) and Liz Morgan, Josie Byrd and myself, Jennifer Groomes. We had 4 patients in the Children's Garden-2 young ladies and 2 Heroes. I did one personal room visit and we had 2 other room visits that were not up for company, but happily accepted a gift bag. So, 7 in total. The ward was actually full, but most of the children were vey little or to sick for company or to leave their room.

We did photo frame, door hangers and some nice sports related crafts for the boys. (In march we will be decorating cookies and shamrocks!). The ladies looked lovely with their freshly painted nails and pretty lipstick.

Sunday morning October 8, with sun shining and the fall leaves majestically gleaming in bright shades of orange and yellows, the volunteers of QFAD Metro-Detroit set out to brighten the day of 4 year old Lyndee Macek. 

2 volunteers, Angie Sanchez & Esther Skiba, headed north for the hour drive and 1,

Lieutenant Donielle Bannon, Ms. Michigan Galaxy, headed south on a 3 hour drive, to meet at the home of volunteer Britt Harrison, State Director of the Michigan Galaxy Pageants, who lives just a few short miles from our Queen to Be. 

We arrived at Lyndee’s home around noon, where Lyndee and her mom Nichole greeted us. Shy at first, Lyndee quickly warmed up to us as we brought out the craft projects. Lyndee put us all to work peeling the backing off of foamy shapes that she was sticking to her photo picture frame that would hold her coronation photo. Stickers were applied to the front as well as the back, leaving only a space for her precious face to shine through.

We then moved on to decorating a paper doll Queen cut out. Lyndee chose the perfect accessory stickers to complete the dolls outfit. 

Donielle took over the duties of nail polish application followed with makeup done by Britt. By this time Lyndee was more then happy to say CHEESE for all the cameras. 

Next came gifts, where Lyndee was given princess themed items including pj’s, sticker book, rubber ducky, hat and her very own Lyndee doll that was created by doll artist Barbara Grossman. The doll was made to look just like Lyndee and was dressed in a fancy dress complete with tiara and scepter. 

It was then time for the coronation of our special guest, with a pink feather boa around her neck and wearing a QFAD sash, Donielle had the honor of placing the crown on her perfect little head and declaring her Queen for a Day. We also treated Lyndee’s 1-year-old sister to a sparkly tiara. 

While we were visiting Nichole told us that Monday October 9 Lyndee would be going in for 5 days of inpatient chemotherapy.  

Upon getting permission from Lyndee’s mom, Lyndee’s address was sent out to all the volunteers at QFAD, Metro-Detroit asking for cards and letters to be sent to this brave little girl.

Within hours replies were sent saying that cards and gifts were in the mail to brighten her day, including pictures from a teachers 1^st grade students. 

We look forward to updates from Nichole on Lyndee’s fight and will hold her close to our hearts.

On Saturday, October 7, QFAD Metro-Detroit, had the opportunity to have their volunteers pass out information on our program at the 2006, Michigan Association of Recreational vehicles & campgrounds, (MARVAC) held at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi.

Our volunteers also collected donations and answered questions for people that were interested not only in our services, but also for those interested in volunteering and passed out prismatic crowns to the children that stopped by our table.

Volunteers that day were, Ruth Williams, Maureen Huebel, Barb Johnson, Angie Sanchez, Beth Monicatti-Blank, and Esther Skiba.

Queen for a Day thanks Mr. William Sheffer, Marvac Director and show manager for donating the table space for us to use, and Beth Monicatti-Blank from All Season’s Communications for arranging for the donated space.

The support of the business community for the QFAD program is greatly appreciated. With the support of both these groups we were able to raise several hundred dollars and make the community aware of the service we can provide to children with cancer.

Before leaving the show on Saturday I was informed by Beth that she had arranged with Mr. Sheffer, for donated space at the next MARVAC show on February 17, 2007.

We are looking forward to our return visit.

We had 5 volunteers, Beth Monacotti-Blank, Pearl Lamia, Lori Faitel, Josie Byrd and myself. We saw about 8 kids, we did crafts (picture frames and door hangers),  makeup and nails!  The girls loved having their nails painted, toes too! Near the end of the visit, there were a lot of kids who could not come to us, so we made a craft for the rest of the kids, about 11 or 12 all together. Lori and one of the student aids delivered them to the rooms.

The activities director, Sandy Dimaso was so grateful for our visit, she has invited us back in September and would like for us to make St. John’s a regular visit every other month or so. She said near the holidays there is a lot going on, but just before and just after the holiday the kids need the outside stimulation. She liked that our group is not aggressive in making the kids participate, we made them feel welcome regardless of how much or little they could do. We caught the attention of some of the other staff and the parents, who thought we were very cool and loved the interaction with the kids.

The Detroit Chapter of Queen for a Day provided makeovers for 30 girls and gave out 32 gift bags filled with jewelry, arts and crafts, make up samples, etc at Camp Quality in Petoskey. The instructors and students from Excell Beauty School did up-dos and fancy hairstyles to make the girls into queens for their big dance that night while the rest of the volunteers polished fingernails, did the girls' make up, and spent time getting to know the girls. The girls enjoyed themselves very much and the activity director has requested we come again next year.  The volunteers for the event were Lori Faitel, Ruth Williams, owner/instructor Excell Beauty School and two of her students plus another instructor, Cari Barber who is a local Miss America titleholder, a lady named Lois who is a friend of a Detroit QFAD chapter member, and Mrs. Michigan, Maureen Huebel.

LOCATION:  University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI

LOCATION:  Camp Quality, Petoskey, MI

Five Fabulous Queens, Tina Gallardo, Maureen Huebel (AKA Mrs. Michigan), Lori Faitel, Janet Cummings and Miriam Rhein, took on the challenging endeavor of making-over almost 40 potential beauty queens. 

We arrived bright and early at Camp Quality feeling a little apprehensive and excited.  Although we were early enough to set up prior to the start of the event, young ladies started to congregate at the door giggling with excitement.  We set up our wares; a nail polish, tattoos, make-up, hair, gift and crowning station and got to work immediately.   

For the complete three hours, Tina, Maureen, Lori, Janet and I worked constantly on nails, faces and the crowning finale.  Some queens had attended the event last year, but most ladies were experiencing “The Royal Treatment” for the first time.  The young ladies were telling us about their dresses for the dance so we could color coordinate them with their nails and make-up.  This year we had tiaras that were a simple wire with some diamante on the front which were very popular with the ladies that could not wear the comb variety due to their illness. 

We gave out the gifts, which were all make-up bags that included full size lipstick, make-up samples and all had a full size blush or eye shadow.  Also a piece of jewelry was wrapped up in tissue paper with a “You are someone special” sticker.  The young ladies loved the jewelry.  A few ladies opened their bags prior to leaving and I overheard them saying they would wear them tonight.  At 12 noon when the room began to clear we all looked at each other in amazement, we had accomplished our task and were exhausted!  I can’t wait for next year.

LOCATION:  Gilda’s Club, Royal Oak, MI

We accomplished another successful teen event at the Gilda’s Club thanks to our wonderful volunteers who arrived to cater to 30 girls and boys. 

Our activities for the ladies included make-up application and hairstyles thanks to Ruth Williams and the students of Excel.  Our Queen volunteers applied manicures and body tattoos.  Lois Pershin, Beth Monicatti-Blank, Maureen Huebel, (AKA, Mrs. Michigan), Angie Sanchez, Lolita McGlory, both her daughters and Miriam Rhein were able to volunteer for this event.  We had so many teens that had never attended a QFAD event, so we had many candidates that experience the final crowning treatment. 

For the boys Eric Stokes, a prior Detroit Lions player arrived to sign autographs and talk to the children about his career.  Eric was a big hit with the boys, girls and adults and spent lots of time with the children. 

Also to cater to the boys, Robert Rhein organized and oversaw a video game competition.  It was a very popular event and young ladies signed up too.  There were three groups of four players and the winner of each group went on to the finals.    The winner of the finals won a video game for their achievement.

We left with the teenagers pampered and pretty to enjoy an evening of singing and dancing.

Five Wonderful Queens, Tina Gallardo, Beth Sills, Lisa Latessa, Janet Cummings and Lois Pershin gathered our supplies and headed out to the Detroit Children’s Hospital of Michigan.  I was so sad that I could not attend due to the flu, but Tina was the gem we all know and love and volunteered to jump in and take care of everything.  I am so appreciative of her generous nature and was so grateful for everything she brings to QFAD.

The event was planned between 1pm and 3pm and as always the young ladies were eager for our event to begin.  We set up our wares; a nail polish, tattoos, make-up, crafts, gift and crowning station and got to work immediately.    Twenty young ladies visited with us.

Our crafts included a Halloween theme.  At a local Michael’s craft store I found glow in the dark Halloween decorations, and scary foam shapes such as spiders, spider webs and tombstones.  There were fun candy corn shapes too, so the young ladies had the opportunity to use them to decorate the acrylic photograph frames and the foam door hangers.  3D glitter art has always been a hit and we had every color imaginable thanks to a donation from our Beauty Queen, Maureen Huebel.