Category Archives: Member Stories

At the Children’s Healing Center, knowing how to have fun and help children heal through the power of play is what we do best.

Hi, my name is Andrea Shaner, and I’ve been a committee member at the Center for a couple of years now. When I first became acquainted with the Children’s Healing Center, the thing that most impressed me about all the kids was their strength. They demonstrate physical, mental and emotional strength in so many different ways, and it’s awe-inspiring to see.

I am currently a senior at Western Michigan University graduating this spring with my bachelor’s in Child and Family Development.

As I sat on the floor in the fitness area of the Children’s Healing Center, I was overcome with feelings of immense gratitude observing the carefree spirit of a beautiful little girl, currently undergoing outpatient cancer treatments at the local Children’s Hospital, run around smiling and laughing completely uninhibited.

My name is Patrick O’Brien and I have been volunteering at the Children’s Healing Center for the past four months.

Hi, everyone! My name is John Kopec, and I act as a consulting physician for CHC. Some of you may know me from HDVCH, where I worked in pediatric Critical Care and Sedation until I recently retired.

When I played basketball at Michigan State, I had the honor of meeting several children who were battling cancer. It always struck me that they looked up to people like me – when really, I was looking up to them for their courage, strength and passion for life.

My name is Amanda Cohen, I am a student at Grand Valley State University with hopes to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (eventually). I just started volunteering at the center this fall but it has already become such a positive influence in my life! I truly believe that the center brings so much to the clients they serve.

My name is Taylor Wilson. Over the course of a year, I had the opportunity to fulfill different roles at Children’s Healing Center. It was a year that gave me many new friendships and made me grow into a better version of myself, because in each role I learned important lessons.