press Releases

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Anni’s Army Foundation and Rockford Football Present Donation to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program

Grand Rapids, MI –  Anni’s Army Foundation and Rockford Football presented Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer program with a donation valued at $2,500 today.

This came about thanks to the entities teaming up to host the first annual RAM Out Pediatric Cancer game in Rockford on Friday, October 18th.  A portion of the proceeds was earmarked for the AYA cancer program, which bridges pediatric and adult cancer care with full clinical and psychosocial support for those ages 15 to 39.

“When Annika turned 15, she transitioned into the AYA program. This group is close to our hearts, and we are thrilled to be able to provide gift cards, blankets, games, water bottles and other requested items to the teenagers fighting cancer at Helen DeVos Children's,” said Lynn Meier, Annika's mom and Vice President of Anni’s Army Foundation.  

“The support we have received from the Rockford football program, Rockford Public Schools and community has been tremendous. Together we look forward to supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families for years to come,” said Mark Meier, Annika’s dad and President of Anni’s Army Foundation. 

In addition to the game, Rockford football players, coaches, and families joined Anni’s Army off the field for Project Night Lights on Wednesday, October 9th at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. 

 C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Joins Anni’s Army Foundation Anni's Gift Program

Ann Arbor, MI – Anni’s Army Foundation is pleased to welcome C.S. Mott Children's Hospital to its Anni's Gift program. This is the fourth hospital to join the program.

“We started Anni’s Gift to help all pediatric brain cancer patients in Michigan,” said Lynn Meier, Vice President and Treasurer of Anni’s Army Foundation. "We are thrilled to have C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital as part of our program."

A pediatric brain tumor diagnosis is expensive and often puts a financial hardship on families. Anni’s Gift was formed to help relieve some of that burden. Since the program’s launch in 2023, Anni’s Gift has helped 14 families. A full list of recipients may be found at www.annisarmy.org/annis-gift.  

Anni’s Army Foundation and Rockford Football Host First Annual RAM Out Pediatric Cancer Game

Rockford, MI – Anni’s Army Foundation and Rockford football teamed up to host the first annual RAM Out Pediatric Cancer game on Friday, October 18th. Support for the inaugural game was an overwhelming success raising over $11,000 in the fight against pediatric cancer.

“The support we have received from the Rockford football program, Rockford Public Schools and community has been tremendous,” said Mark Meier, President of Anni’s Army Foundation. “Thank you doesn’t begin to express our gratitude for making Friday night one we will always remember.”

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer program at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (HDCH). The AYA program bridges pediatric and adult cancer care with full clinical and psychosocial support for those ages 15 to 39.

“When Anni turned 15, she transitioned into the AYA program. This group is close to our hearts, and we are thrilled to be able to provide gift cards, blankets, and other requested items to the teenagers fighting cancer at Helen DeVos,” said Lynn Meier, Vice President of Anni’s Army Foundation.

In addition to the game, Rockford football players, coaches, and families joined Anni’s Army off the field for Project Night Lights (PNL) on Wednesday, October 9th at HDCH. PNL is a community-wide event that takes place once a month to provide hope and support to pediatric patients and their families by wishing them "goodnight" from street level.

Anni’s Army Foundation would like to thank Rockford and the surrounding communities for their support in the fight against pediatric cancer. We look forward to hosting the 2nd annual RAM Out Pediatric Cancer game in 2025.

Anni’s Army Foundation Adds Third Hospital to its Anni's Gift Program

Rockford, MI - Anni’s Army Foundation is pleased to welcome Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit to its Anni’s Gift program.

“We are thrilled to expand Anni’s Gift with the addition of Children’s Hospital of Michigan,” said Lynn Meier, Vice President and Treasurer of Anni’s Army Foundation. "A pediatric brain tumor diagnosis is expensive and oftentimes puts a financial hardship on families. We hope Anni’s Gift can help soften that burden for families so they may focus on the care of their child."

Anni's Gift started at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids in 2023. The program has since grown to include Corewell Health Children's in Royal Oak and now Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Since the program’s launch, Anni’s Gift has helped 14 families. A full list of recipients may be found at www.annisarmy.org/annis-gift.

Anni's Army Foundation Funds Research to Prevent Medulloblastoma

Rockford, MI -  Anni's Army Foundation is pleased to announce its second research-focused donation in support of Dr. Michael Taylor and the Preventative Pathway for Medulloblastoma team. Dr. Taylor’s goal is to offer protocols for early detection and prevention of medulloblastoma, much like how patients undergo routine skin cancer screenings, colonoscopies and mammograms. Dr. Taylor explains his research here. 

"Dr. Taylor and his team continue to make progress in the detection and prevention of medulloblastoma," said Mark and Lynn Meier, Co-Founders of Anni's Army Foundation. "We continue to be encouraged by his work and are delighted to be able to support his research further."

Anni’s Army Foundation has now funded $55,000 for the research of cancer. This commitment is part of a larger donation through The Carson Leslie Foundation.

About Dr. Michael Taylor

Recruited to Texas with support from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), Dr. Michael Taylor is a world-renowned physician, neurosurgeon, and researcher who has extensive experience and passion for brain cancer research. Serving as Director of the Neuro-Oncology Research Program at Texas Children’s Hospital, he currently leads a research team dedicated to pursuing therapies and prevention for pediatric brain tumors, specifically medulloblastomas.

Anni’s Army Foundation Presents $5,000 Gift and Resources to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Resource Team

Grand Rapids, MI - Anni’s Army Foundation presented Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Oncology Resource Team (PORT) with a $5,000 donation and a new rolling cart for inpatient families to use while at the hospital. In addition, and in honor of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, the Foundation subsidized the cost of 35 care bags for brain tumor patients visiting clinic during May.

PORT offers complimentary support services and resources to families of pediatric cancer or life-threatening blood disorder patients. Care bags, blankets, inpatient family snack pantry, use of the family laundry room, and sibling events are a few of the offerings PORT provides.

“With May being Brain Tumor Awareness and Anni’s birthday month, we wanted to make an impact and give back to a team that has walked alongside during Anni's journey,” said Lynn Meier, Vice President and Treasurer of Anni’s Army Foundation. “PORT was front and center! The support we received during our multiple stays at Helen DeVos Children's was so appreciated. PORT thought about the needs of the entire family. We hope this gift to PORT can provide relief to other families.”

Anni’s Army Foundation Partners with Corewell Health East/Beaumont Children's in Royal Oak, Michigan to Expand Anni's Gift Program

Rockford, MI -  Anni’s Army Foundation has partnered with Corewell Health East/Beaumont Children's in Royal Oak, Michigan to expand its Anni's Gift program. Anni's Gift started with a focus on assisting pediatric brain cancer patients and their families at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

“We are excited to welcome Corewell Health East/Beaumont Children's to Anni's Gift program,” said Lynn Meier, Vice President and Treasurer of Anni’s Army Foundation. "We look forward to making a positive impact on more children and their families during their fight against cancer."

Last year, Anni's Gift provided $5,000 in financial assistance to seven children and their families including the purchase of gas and grocery gift cards, the payment of utility and car insurance bills, a ski experience, and support for a wheelchair-accessible van. 

Anni’s Army Foundation Expands Its Board of Directors 

Rockford, MI - Anni’s Army Foundation announced today the appointment of Dawn MacLean and Scott Meier to its Board of Directors. The addition of MacLean and Meier brings the total number of board members to seven.

MacLean brings over 13 years of nonprofit experience serving on the Board of Directors for the Will2Walk Foundation in Gilbert, Arizona. MacLean is passionate about seeing nonprofits evolve and grow and looks forward to helping Anni’s Army Foundation make an even greater impact in the years to come. 

Meier has over 15 years of experience leading and managing volunteer groups. His dedication and willingness to participate in fundraising opportunities has helped Anni’s Army Foundation events succeed. 

“We are so excited to welcome Dawn and Scott to Anni’s Army Foundation’s Board of Directors. They have both been heavily involved in the foundation since day one,” said Mark Meier, President of Anni’s Army Foundation.

“I am honored to serve on the Board of Anni’s Army Foundation and help support the amazing mission while also walking side by side on the journey as Lynn's sister and Annika's Auntie,” said MacLean.

“From the very first night I received the phone call from Mark about Anni’s diagnosis, I saw firsthand the immediate impact this cancer can have on a family,” Meier said. “I am excited to be part of a movement to change outcomes for families facing childhood cancers.” 

About Anni’s Army Foundation

Anni's Army Foundation was formed to raise money for the research of medulloblastoma tumors and other pediatric cancers and make a positive impact on the community. Since March 2023, Anni's Army Foundation has provided financial assistance for three local families through Anni's Gift and has donated $25,000 to pediatric brain cancer research. Learn more at www.annisarmy.org.