Posted: August 23, 2022           

Credit: Shedneck Foundation

Founded by Jim O’Farrell in 2020, the Shedneck Foundation is bringing adventure, hope, and love to teenage cancer patients in the Plymouth-Canton community of Michigan. According to Hometown Life,  as an executive in the logistics industry, O’Farrell wanted to do  something “deeper” with his life and upon recognizing the need for  support services for teen cancer patients, he began organizing the  nonprofit with compassionate individuals like himself who wanted to help  give a giant dose of happiness to teens battling cancer. By providing  fun experiences for ‘warriors’ and their friends and families, the  Shedneck Foundation is helping them forget about their worries, even if  it is just for a moment in time. 

According to Hometown Life, “to  connect with those who could benefit from opportunities offered by the  Shedneck Foundation, O’Farrell works closely with the ­Adolescent and  Young Adult Oncology Program at the Rogel Cancer Center at University of  Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, where a social worker helps to identify  patients from the Plymouth-Canton community.” Most importantly, the  Shedneck Foundation ensures that the activities set up for the  ‘warriors’ are strongly related to their interests and the foundation is  dedicated to working with local businesses to make it all possible. 

The foundation offers two options the  teens can choose from including either “A Day Away” or “A Night Out.”  Choosing “A Day Away” may be that they attend a professional or college  sports game, go on a fishing trip, or enjoy a day at a spa, the mall,  the zoo, museums, or other fun places.  “A Night Out” may be to have an  elegant dinner and movie, or go to a theater or a concert. Regardless,  the Shedneck Foundation provides the funding for the teen and their  family or friends to enjoy the special experience. 

The mission of the Shedneck  Foundation is to unite the community in an effort to give back and make a  difference in the lives of those facing a struggle. When a special  event is organized for a ‘warrior,’ the gift it gives goes beyond the  experience and into their hearts and minds with the compassion others  have shown them. The opportunity to forget about one’s struggle allows  for rejuvenation and restores hope that more wonderful experiences await  them in the future.