In this issue
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Vote now! VOICES photo and video contest

A celebration of survivorship and birthdays

Young Relayer helps raise more than $12,000 in honor of her brother

Local artist donates ArtPrize entry to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge

Common types of breast cancer

Notre Dame University researchers raise funds and awareness for ACS CAN

Linda Leibe: Health Care Reform is not an option
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Prostate Cancer Quiz

VOICES in the kitchen

Local artist donates ArtPrize entry to American
Cancer Society Hope Lodge
The American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Peter M. Wege Guest House has been bringing hope to hundreds of cancer patients and their caregivers traveling to Grand Rapids for cancer treatment since January 2008 – and now, a local artist has brought ‘Hope’ to the Hope Lodge.

Dr. James DeVries, of Ada, Michigan, constructed his 2/3 life-size bronze sculpture titled ‘Hope,’ following his wife’s and daughter’s simultaneous battles with cancer. As a caregiver to both during their treatment, Dr. Devries found comfort and peace of mind in his art.

“A few years ago, my daughter was diagnosed with cancer, and while she was undergoing treatment, my wife was also diagnosed,” he said. “To me, ‘Hope’ symbolizes completeness and wholeness, and that’s what brought me peace throughout this journey with my wife and daughter.”

Dr. Devries decided to enter Grand Rapids’ first ArtPrize competition. While driving down Jefferson Ave. in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood, he happened upon the Hope Lodge, and immediately knew it was the venue for his sculpture. As a result, ‘Hope’ will be one of more than 1200 sculptures entered in the ArtPrize competition which runs from September 23 to October 10 in Grand Rapids.
In addition to entering ‘Hope’ in the competition, Dr. DeVries has also donated the sculpture as a permanent fixture at the Hope Lodge and, should ‘Hope’ receive any of the top 10 ArtPrize awards, he has committed to donating any and all winnings to support the ongoing operations of the Hope Lodge.

“It just seemed right that ‘Hope,’ which was constructed in honor of my wife and daughter and their cancer experiences, be a symbol of hope for other people facing their own cancer journey, and the Hope Lodge was a perfect fit,” Dr. DeVries said. “It is my wish that others will find comfort and peace in ‘Hope,’ much like it brought me [hope] during such a challenging time.”

The American Cancer Society hosted an artist’s reception at the Hope Lodge on September 24, for the general public to come and hear first-hand Dr. DeVries’ inspiration for his piece, view the sculpture and learn more about the Hope Lodge and its mission in the community.

For more information on the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, visit www.cancer.org/hopelodge.

To learn more about the 'Hope' sculpture and Dr. Devries and his family, watch this wzzm13 news brief below.