Bronson Health Foundation News

In the Spotlight, July 2025:

Helping Moms with Cancer Nourish Their Babies

Bronson Mothers' Milk Bank started a Milk for Moms initiative in late 2024. With the help of gifts made to Bronson Health Foundation, the milk bank is able to provide breast milk to women who can't breastfeed because they are undergoing cancer treatment. One mom, Hannah Dale, shared a message of thanks with the milk bank. To support the milk bank, visit our donation page and select Mothers' Milk Bank.

One Mom's Message

"Your donations from the milk bank have been a bright spot in such a dark time! As a mom, the most important thing to me throughout this process has been trying to figure out how to take as much burden off Wrenley's body and mind as possible. We are so overwhelmingly thankful for the beautiful work that you do.”

- Hannah Dale, received donor milk for her baby while undergoing cancer treatment

In the Spotlight, June 2025:

Community Partners Make Largest Gift Ever to Bronson Battle Creek

Community Partners and Bronson representatives stand in front of new linear accelerator and a large new linear accelerator radiation equipment is pictured in a room at Bronson Battle Creek

Thanks to the largest gift ever to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, a new state-of-the-art cancer treatment device that uses precise radiation technology has been installed at Bronson Cancer Center in Battle Creek.

The linear accelerator was made possible through a $3 million dollar gift from Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Community Partners (BBCHCP). Community Partners' mission is to promote the delivery of healthcare at Bronson Battle Creek and the health and well-being of the greater Battle Creek community. “Our goal has always been to make sure people in our community have access to the very best care possible,” says Bill Winslow, BBCHCP chair. “This new accelerator gives cancer patients real hope for better outcomes. This donation aligns directly to why our board exists in the first place.”

The new machine allows for implementation of advanced treatment features not available on the machine which was replaced helping to expand and optimize options for patients. “The equipment has the most up-to-date technology which targets cancer cells with precision, minimizes damage to healthy tissue and can adjust in real time to patient movement,” explains Dr. Randy Mudge, physician in chief of Bronson Oncology.

“We are so grateful to Community Partners for recognizing this need and making it happen,” says Liz Semaan, executive director of Bronson Health Foundation. “Just as their name suggests, Community Partners stepped up in a powerful way to support the people around them.”

While the majority of the $3 million dollar gift was designated to fund the new accelerator, the remainder of the donation will be used for facility upgrades to Bronson’s Mawby Center.

In the Spotlight, May 2025:

Life Jacket Loaner Stations Stocked in South Haven

Representatives from Bronson and City of South Haven Stand in front of a wooden life jacket station on North Beach in South Haven. Two people hold life jackets. Lake Michigan can be seen in the distance.

As the start of beach-going season approaches, life jacket loaner stations are now stocked for the spring and summer along South Haven beaches.

These life jackets and stations were made possible thanks to the generosity of community organizations and individuals who donated to Bronson Health Foundation, which funds Safe Kids Greater South Haven. The boards and jackets were gifted to the city of South Haven, which installed the stations and oversees their upkeep.

“We wanted to fill the 15 loaner stations as people start to arrive to enjoy the Lake Michigan shoreline,” says Pam Ford, Safe Kids program coordinator. “The stations first went up throughout the season last year and it was great to see them in use. We look forward to even more people taking advantage of this layer of protection this year.”

Safe Kids Greater South Haven is led by Bronson South Haven Hospital, and has a coalition made up of community leaders and first responders who provide input and guidance on child safety initiatives.

"Life jacket loaner boards are a simple yet powerful way to protect lives—offering peace of mind and safety for both visitors exploring our waters and residents who call them home,” says Annie Brown, mayor of South Haven. “The City of South Haven is very appreciative and grateful for the generous donation from Safe Kids Greater South Haven.”

Each board is stocked with approximately 20 life jackets in both adult and children’s sizes. The jackets are free for beachgoers to borrow while they are at the Lake Michigan shoreline. “We are so grateful to the donors who recognized that having these boards available can make a lifesaving difference,” says Liz Semaan, executive director of Bronson Health Foundation. The donors, whose names are recognized on the boards, include Carlson Farms and friends, Edward Jones, Rotary Club of South Haven, Tom and Heather Schripsema, The Schripsema Family, and South Haven Black River Lions Club.

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