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Visit with Mackenzie Smith at William Beaumont Hospital, November 16, 2006
QFAD volunteers, Esther Skiba, Josie Byrd, Barb Johnson and Caitie and Debbie Hormel visited with Mackenzie at William Beaumont. Mackenzie’s mother kept our visit a secret. It was a great surprise to Mackenzie. After the surprise, the ladies went to work on door hangers, picture frames and getting manicures. Mackenzie and her friend Jane Martin were treated to tiaras, pink feather boas, blankets and Christmas stockings filled with toys and other great gifts. A gift bag was also presented to Mackenzie’s mother filled with pampering items, such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion and perfumed body sprays.
 Channel 2 news has been following Mackenzie’s treatment from the beginning. A camera crew from channel 2 was on hand to tape the special surprise that aired on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, 2006.
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St. John Hospital Visit, Nov. 13, 2006
On November 13, 2006, QFAD volunteered at St. John Hospital in Grosse Pointe. QFAD had 4 volunteers (including 2 new, very enthusiastic gals). We did several crafts and make-up. We saw a total of 5 children. Two were room visits, this sweet 4 year old girl couldn't put the mirror down after her makeover and wearing her tiara!!! She even had Barbie right there looking into her mirror. We had the pleasure of 2 Heroes, one an 11 year old who was limited to his room but still enjoyed a lot of attention and crafts. The other young man was such a sweet genuine 12 year old who was meticulous with his crafts. The staff loves our visits and all the hands on attention to their patients. We laugh a lot and chat. The 2 hours go by so quickly!
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Mott Hospital visit, November 13
QFAD had 2 volunteers for the Mott Hospital visit, Kelli Yager and Maureen Huebel. Two little girls, a 16-year-old girl and 3 little boys were treated to crafts and fun activities. The girls were given tiaras and boas and the boys opted for prismatic crowns instead of the fireman hats, two teenage boys were provided with age appropriate gift bags. We also had the opportunity to visit with a very sweet toddler who was in isolation due to being exposed to chicken pox and got photos of him with his fireman helmet. Two pre-teen boys were treated to goodie bags, but declined to participate in the crafts. The best part of the day was having the opportunity to visit briefly with one of our recently crowned queens that we met in a private home visit. She was receiving her outpatient chemo. She was not feeling well so the visit was kept short.
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Camp Quality Reunion Dinner Nov. 4, 2006
On Saturday, November 4, QFAD had the honor of attending the Camp Quality Reunion Dinner. Camp Quality is a camp in Petoskey, MI for children with cancer and their siblings. It was wonderful to see the children that we visited at camp in August and their families. Volunteers included Liz Crampton, Area-Director for the Kalamazoo chapter, Joan and Becky Crampton and John and Esther Skiba.
We were thrilled to get to distribute the dolls that were made for each of the girls that we saw at camp. Each doll was sponsored by special donor and was lovingly created by doll artist Barbara Grossman, who donated her time for this project. Needless to say the girls loved their special new friend and there were many nice comments and thank you's from the adults in attendance. Through the hard work of project Chair Dena Raminick this was a huge success. We are looking forward to our return to Camp Quality next August.
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Visit with Rachel Collette, Oct. 29
 QFAD volunteers Maureen, Josie, Rhonda and Ricki visited Rachel Collette at her home for a private visit. Rachel's mother kept our visit a surprise and surprised she was! She thought that her entire family was coming to welcome her home from the hospital was surprised when we showed up. The house was filled with Rachel's family including grandparents, aunts and uncles. It was a bit awkward at first for Rachel but with the help of her sisters and her cousins she quickly went to work on the door hangers and getting a manicure. Rachel and her younger sisters were treated to tiaras, pink feather boas and goody bags with Polly Pocket toys and other age appropriate gifts. A special ice cream treat was brought Rhonda and her daughter Ricki, including some moose tracks ice cream and mint chocolate chip (which Rachel said is one of her favorites.) We even had a gift bag for her brother complete with a CD of his favorite band and some pocket size football games and toys. We presented Rachel with goodies to help her fill her scrapbook including cheerleading stickers, scrapbook pages in her cheer squad colors and cheerleader cut-outs to decorate her pages.
Before we left Rachel's mom gave us all support bracelets for her with her care pages address on it so that we could keep in touch. Ricki and Rachel exchanged email addresses and will hopefully be the first pen pals for Dena's program.
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Hats for Heather
Esther Skiba recently had the pleasure of meeting the volunteers from Hats for Heather, as they worked on hats at their monthly meeting. This wonderful group of ladies is led by Linda Frizzell, sister of "Heather", who the group is named for.
Hats for Heather was established in the spring of 1999, as a non-profit community outreach program providing hats to cancer patients that have experienced loss of hair from chemotherapy. Heather's sisters began the program as a positive expression of HOPE and encouragement while Heather battled cancer. Hats are sewn one at a time by volunteers that care about the patients who struggle with cancer, and are given as a gift of love and hope.
The group meets in the morning, on the first Wednesday of the month at Hancock Fabrics on the corner of Hall and Hayes Road in Sterling Heights, and welcomes anyone that would like to help. The ladies would also welcome any donations of fabric, fleece, cotton or yarn. The fabric does not need to be a large piece as they can use leftover scrap pieces to put together for hats.
Thank you to these great women for providing us hats to give to the children we visit. I would also like to thank Peggy and Neil McQuinn who makes the monthly trip to the meeting to pick the hats up and delivers them to me. Peggy is the person who found this group and arranged for them to help our kids.
If you know of a child or adult that could use some of thes hats please contact Esther at 248-588-7445 or qfad.heroes@gmail.com.
To donate fabric, yarn or learn more about Hats for Heather, contact Linda at:
Linda Frizzel
45551 Vanker
Utica, MI 48317
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Children’s Hospital of Michigan visit, October 9
QFAD had the pleasure of providing the royal treatment to 10 young ladies and providing gift bags to another 10 who were to ill to join us in the activity room. Hot pink feather boas were given to each queen with the option of wearing it or having it draped around their IV poles, which was a popular request. Two brand new volunteers joined Maureen Huebel and Beth Sills for a fun afternoon of crafts, manicures, and makeovers. Brooke Allen-Burnstien, Mrs. Central Michigan Galaxy joined us to help out with the visit. Our other new volunteer is Lauren Demember.
Each queen was given a gift bag upon their departure, containing a princess sticker or activity book (depending on their age), a full size lip gloss and depending on their age either a piece of sparkly jewelry, Barbie doll, or cute furry hand puppet. The event was a success thanks to all the volunteers and especially the Child Life staff who stepped in with their camera when we had a camera emergency.
As always the staff at Children’s Hospital of Michigan invited us back in the future and commented that our organization is very well appreciated by the staff and patients and they believe that we are one of the most organized volunteer groups that they work with.
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Lyndee Macek Visit Report
On Sunday, October 8, 2006, the volunteers of QFAD Metro-Detroit set out to brighten the day of 4-year-old Lyndee Macek.
Two volunteers, Angie Sanchez & Esther Skiba and Lieutenant Donielle Bannon, Ms. Michigan Galaxy, Britt Harrison, State Director of the Michigan Galaxy
Pageants 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 foam 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, Natalie, 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 1st grade students.
We look forward to updates from Nichole on Lyndee's fight and will hold her close to our hearts.
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MARVAC Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show
On Saturday, October 7, QFAD Metro-Detroit, had the opportunity to pass out
information on our program at the 2006 Fall Detroit Camper & RV Show put on
by the 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. We 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 Seasons 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.
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St. John Hospital visit, September 28
QFAD volunteers brought in several craft projects with a variety of foam stickers, glitter and jewels. The makeup table was fully stocked and got the attention of a beautiful 10-year-old Queen that truly made everyones day! We had the pleasure of visiting with 1 Hero that we did a room visit with...he loved the badge and fireman hat! A total of 7 children were seen...many were room visits as many of the Queens were not able to come down to the common area…never letting this be an obstacle we went to them.
We had 4 volunteers, Maureen, Sherry Sandy and Beth. St. John Child Life Specialist Sandra Dimaso emailed the following note after the visit, "Thanks so much for the fun afternoon. The kids loved it - young and old."
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Gilda's Club Comedy walk on Saturday September 16
Saturday September 16, sunshine, comfortable temperature, and a perfect day to help raise money for people with cancer.
Invited to participate in the walk and children's activities, by Mr. Jim Van Doorn, Chairperson for the Gilda's Club Comedy walk, the Queen for a Day volunteers donned their finest pink shirts, boas and tiaras, to lend a hand for this worthwhile fundraiser.
Drema & Kelly Piech (Michigan Peach Festival 1st runner up) led a team of volunteers that included, Claudia McKenna, Marlene Kravetzker, Julie Ann Giumetti, and Maureen Huebel (Mrs. Michigan American Renaissance) at the children's activity tent. Children that stopped by the QFAD table were treated to makeup applications, nail polish, tattoos and prismatic crowns along with lots of fun and smiles. We were happy to see many of the children that we have met through our visits to Gilda's Club.
The QFAD volunteers also had the opportunity to hang out with Mr. Darth Vadar and friends.
While the activities were going on in the tent, 3 volunteers from QFAD walked with several hundred other walkers in the 2-mile walk around the grounds of Oakland Community College. Lacing up their tennis shoes for the walk were Stephanie Hunt—Mrs. Michigan Galaxy, Amy Leahy-McGraw, also from the galaxy pageant program, and yours truly, Esther Skiba, who is just a happy round grandma. While our group of QFAD walkers was small, we were very enthusiastic.
We were honored to help out with this event and thank Gilda's Club for providing a meeting room for our monthly chapter meeting and allowing us the privilege to visit with the children that are members of Gilda's Club.
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Visit to Camp Quality in Petoskey
On August 18, Esther Skiba, Maureen Huebel, Dena Raminick, Tina Gallardo, Danielle Kimball, Debbie & Catie Hormel, Lisa Hall and 7 students from Excel Academies of Cosmetology visited Camp Quality in Petoskey. Camp Quality is a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. QFAD and the students from Excel provided hairstyles, makeup applications and manicures for 27 girls.
Dena Raminick took photos and wrote a brief profile on each of the girls to be used in the making of dolls that will be presented to the girls at the Camp Family Reunion in November. Each girl received a blanket that was made and donated by a group of “Red Hat Ladies” and a stuffed animal that was donated by Tina Gallardo and her family.
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Visit to St. John's Hospital
QFAD had 5 volunteers, Beth Monicatti-Blank, Pearl Lamia, Lori Faitel, Josie Byrd and Jennifer Groomes. The volunteers saw about 8 kids and did crafts (picture frames and door hangers), makeup and nails! The girls loved having their nails painted and toes too! Near the end of the visit, there were a lot of kids who could not come to us, so a craft was made for them, 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, and the volunteers made them feel welcome regardless of how much or little they could do. QFAD 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!
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Detroit Queen for a Day held an afternoon of pampering at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak on Tuesday, June 13.
We had nine volunteer queens come to help out including Tina Gallardo, Janet Cummings and her daughter, Esther Skiba, Beth Sills, Lori Faitel, Roz Santich and her friend Cheryl, and Maureen.
We provided makeovers, tattoos, and manicures for eight girls and some masculine gifts for two young men. The staff said the patients had a wonderful time and one little girl commented to her dad that she wishes she could come to the hospital all the time to be part of Queen for a Day events!
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Queen for a Day visited Children’s Hospital of Michigan on May 18. Maureen, Sue, Beth and Marlene visited 11 girls in the hospital’s playroom. Maureen Huebel did individual room visits with the schoolteacher and one of the child life specialists for 9 girls who were in ICU or were not well enough to come down to the playroom. Maureen said it was such a joy to see one girl's face light up when I came into her room wearing the funny animal glasses that I had brought for the kids. She was on a ventilator and unable to speak but the smile told her feelings.
Each girl at the event received a goodie bag with a makeup case, a full size lip gloss or lip balm, a princess coloring book, a pair of funny animal glasses and a new cuddly friend, along with their tiaras and a bright pink feather boa.
One of the parents came over and thanked the volunteers after her daughter had gone back to her room and said it was the highlight of her daughter’s day! A nurse told us that the staff and hospital volunteers look forward to our visits.
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On May 9th, Queen for a Day held an event at St. John Hospital in Detroit. This was QFAD’s first opportunity to be in the activity center in quite some time! There were 3 crafts to make, lots of glitter and makeup, nails, lots of laughter, conversation and the opportunity to meet some amazing kids (and staff!) We saw 6 queens and 1 energetic happy Hero! That fireman’s hat was made for him! We also did 4 room visits to teens that were not able to get out of bed. Everyone was quite touched by an 18-year-old girl who was having a really tough day. I brought in a few crafts, a magazine, full make-up, nail polish, hip hair bands, a boa and a tiara. She just beamed! Suddenly she sparkled and was full of conversation...it just reminded her that she is a Queen and should feel as much! The child life specialist loved the event and can't wait to set up more! What a great day!
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On March 18th, 2006, Queen for a Day held an event at Gilda’s Club in Royal Oak. QFAD volunteers included Dena Raminick, Jennifer Skiba, Josie Byrd, Elaine Logan, Julie Repitor, Judy Harvey, Kelli and Elizabeth Yeager and Tina Gallardo. Thirty-two young ladies attended this event and received manicures, make-up applications, fake tattoos, made crafts brought to the event by Julie from Arts and Scraps and decorated homemade cookies brought by Judy. The highlight of this event was when the girls were crowned “Queen for a Day.” They loved picking out their crowns and being given the royal treatment. Queen Lauren was the lucky girl that won the drawing for the Royal Rocking Chair that was donated by Levels of Discovery.
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March 8, 2006 visit to the Van Elslander Cancer Center in Grosse Pointe Woods
5 volunteers from QFAD and 6 girls ranging in age from pre-school to teens attended the event. The girls decorated picture frames and also made door hangers for their rooms. They all had manicures and make-up applied. Tattoos were a popular item and most had them on their hands arms and ankles. They got to take home goodie bags with crown shaped soap, and fizzies for the bath provided by Pearl. The little girls received Barbies and the older girls received teen magazines and make-up.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and they were reluctant to leave.
Hats were also distributed that were made by the wonderful group, “Hats for Heather".
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