Sky Foundation adds new board, advisory members

Sky Foundation, Inc., which is raising funds to benefit research in developing a diagnostic test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, appointed the following people to its board of directors and advisory board at its annual meeting June 16.

Newly appointed to the board of directors are:

• Carla J. Groh, R.N., Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, University of Detroit - Mercy
• Niki Gallaudet, Community Volunteer
• William H. Powers Jr., ChFC, Powers Financial Resources, LLC
• Kate Stocker, Adjunct Professor, Schoolcraft Community College and Eastern Michigan University

Other members of the board are:

• Sheila Sky Kasselman, Founder
• Gerry Barrons, Nonprofit Consultant
• Lucy R. Benham, Attorney-at-law
• Edwina Davis, MSW
• Judith McClelland, Community Volunteer
• Dave Weir, General Motors LLC

Newly appointed to the advisory board are:

• Lynn Fisher, Director, Foundation Grants, Karmanos Cancer Institute
• Terry Fornwall, Community Volunteer
• Kenneth J. Levin, M.D., Director, Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Health System
• Steven A. Passon, Adjunct Professor, Macomb Community College
• Janice Steinhardt, owner, MDG Design/The Green Kitchen Project

Other members of the advisory board are:

• Nick Karmanos, Vice President, Development, Karmanos Cancer Institute
• Renee Peck, Office of Philanthropy, Henry Ford Health System
• Wendy W. Powers, Community Volunteer
• Ann Silverman, M.D., FACG, Gastroenterology, Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield
• Michael A. Tainsky, Ph.D., Director, Program in Molecular Biology & Genetics, Karmanos Cancer Institute
• Bonnie Topper-Bricker, R.N., BSN, CHPN, Beaumont Hospice

Sky Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit, was founded in June 2008 by Sheila Sky Kasselman, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2007. (Read Michigan Women's Forum's profile of Ms. Kasselman.) The Foundation’s goal is to raise $500,000 to fund research to develop a diagnostic test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer. The research is being conducted through a partnership between researchers and physicians at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Henry Ford Health System. As of June 16, 2010, the Sky Foundation has raised $165,000. In addition, an endowment established in 2009 at the Karmanos Cancer Institute also provides funds to the research project on an annual basis.

November is National Pancreatic Cancer awareness month, and Sky Foundation will host its second annual fundraiser on Sunday, November 7, 2010, at The Village Club in Bloomfield Hills between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Learn more about The Sky Foundation.