Yesterday the River of Hope Foundation entered into a contest for a $250,000 dollar grant! The best thing about this grant is YOU! That’s right you have the power to give us $250,000. The organization with the most votes on July 13th gets the grant. Please cast your vote and share with your friends, co-workers, family, and even strangers by clicking support us below.
This short video explains why we think that you should give the foundation $250,000.
You can only vote once, but for every person that votes once and gets a friend to vote as well we are that much closer to the prize! Please don’t be bashful in asking for votes if you believe in our cause.
The Avera Cancer Institute and the River of Hope Foundation have created a new partnership, with the ultimate goal of bringing awareness to cancer as a life-changing disease.
Through this partnership, the River of Hope Foundation will provide six healing environments this summer to nominated individuals diagnosed with cancer. By combining the mission of the Avera Cancer Institute with that of the foundation we will be able to highlight the benefits of integrative medicine programs, such as the healing environments created using water and nature. The Avera Cancer Institute and the River of Hope Foundation are striving to offer a calming and peaceful escape; a place where the healing sights and sounds of nature are displayed.
Patients impacted by River of Hope are featured during the 30 minute “River of Hope” TV show produced by James Dugan, Inc., for the foundation with the help of the medical staff at the Avera Cancer Institute. The program highlights the journey of those affected by cancer, and how water features and landscaped healing areas are incorporated to enhance the quality of life for patients and their families.
River of Hope airs Saturdays on MyUTV at 5:30 pm, and Sundays on KELO at 10:30 a.m. following the weekend TV mass. To check the weekly schedule, go to www.RiverofHopeFoundation.org
Sun, rain, rain, more sun…you get the picture. Saturday was a day filled with many emotions; nervous, anxious, happy, excited, and for some maybe a little tired as well. The day that we would reveal our newest project to Rodney and his family started out beautiful, and then the rain came (along with thoughts of here we go again). The weather prediction would hold true though and by 4:30 the sun was out and the sky was blue. As the cameras were being set up and friends and family began to gather to celebrate you could feel the excitement building. The time for the reveal finally arrived, and I think it’s safe to say that Rodney was surprised to say the least!
It’s days like these that are so encompassing that nothing else seems to matter. The smiles and tears are enough to send goosebumps and hearing the cheers and laughter leave you wanting to get started on the next project right away. You don’t see days like this every day; well not yet anyway, if the River of Hope Foundation gets its way the excitement of a new project to help brighten the day of those affected by cancer will become a regular occurrence. Can you imagine what it would be like if all those going through what Rodney and his family have been through had a place close to home to simply relax and enjoy life no matter what is going on at that particular time? I can, and although it may not happen over night, we are well on our way!
Our projects help to provide a better quality of life for those affected by cancer without the need to leave home. Some days are certainly better than others, but on the days when you just need to get away it’s nice to be able to walk outside and relax. This project would not be possible without the generous help of those who support the foundation. I would like to take a minute to thank Rock Garden Nursery, Artificial Turf and Putting Greens,James Dugan, 44 Interactive and Avera Cancer InstituteThese companies have provided us with tremendous support and resources to continue fulfilling our mission and raising awareness for the foundation. We are truly thankful for all they do! In closing one last thank you to KDLT for this great story allowing you to see the excitement of Rodney’s reveal firsthand. Sioux Falls Man Lives To Enjoy a Big Gift
It’s amazing to see what a little sunshine can do for morale. When we started Rodney’s River of Hope project on Tuesday the sun was shining and there were plenty smiles to go around with the excitement of another project. Within 2 hours those smiles had faded as dark clouds and heavy rain surrounded the area putting the project on hold. Wednesday morning the mood was still somber as we tried to maneuver in the mud and find a way to continue the project. Late morning sunshine brightened the day and work was back to full speed. With great weather Thursday, and a great outlook for Friday we are back on schedule and a breath of relief can now be taken by all.
Now clearly it would not have been the end of the world if we were not able to get back on schedule to finish for a Saturday unveiling, but the looming thoughts of that possibility had a great affect on everyone involved. This really made me think of how a change of weather, and plans can leave us scrambling to find something positive. Now putting that into perspective; imagine getting told you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. There are a lot of similarities. The anxiety and stress, the scrambling to see what can be done next, that instant sinking feeling that everything you have planned in your life just changed. This is exactly why we provide the projects that we do; to try and be the ray of sunshine that can help bring something positive into what can be such a life changing event. Nature, just like cancer, is unpredictable, but if we can find something positive to focus on it just may bring back a smile at the end of the day.
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