Wendy McClellan is the Coordinator for the late effects clinic, Survive and Thrive. The purpose of this clinic is to follow up from post cancer treatment and maintain continuity of care regarding any side effects that may develop as a result of chemotherapy/radiation therapy. Prior to becoming the coordinator, Wendy worked as a staff nurse on 4Henson. Wendy has been in her current role for one year.
About 3 months ago, she thought it would be great to sponsor a survivor event for the children who have completed cancer treatment as well as their families. She also thought it would be good for the children and families to have the opportunity to see their physicians that treated them for their cancer. Wendy spent countless hours working with our community development department as well as reaching out to local businesses to assist in sponsoring the event. After months of work, the event occurred Saturday, July 9th outside Crown Center. The turnout was fantastic with about 300 patients and their families in attendance as well as several physicians and nurses. Weaved in this group were clowns, face painters, a photo booth, an artist drawing caricatures, children doing Zoomba, volunteers from Sam's club grilling the hot dogs donated by Sam's and a care assistant from 4H that wrote and performed a song for the survivors!
While Wendy had some help, she pretty much organized this single-handedly! The families and patients were thrilled and it was wonderful to see so many smiles and families celebrating. She spent her time and energy doing something wonderful for these children. Not because someone told her to, but because she wanted to and I think she knew before what we all learned that day, that this is something that this group needed! By the way, in her spare time, Wendy is also working on her MSN!