The Lemonaid Cart and Baruch Senior Ministries are coming together to bring an extra dose of encouragement, connection, and joy to our residents!
Founded in 2023, The Lemonaid Cart was created to provide nourishment and encouragement to patients receiving treatment, as well as their families, nurses, and doctors, at local cancer and hematology centers. Volunteers travel throughout these centers with the cart, offering snacks, beverages, coloring books, and other thoughtful goodies to brighten each person’s day.
Now, The Lemonaid Cart is expanding its reach to our assisted living homes! Each day, the cart will make its way to every resident, offering a selection of snacks, beverages, and special goodies for residents to choose from.
More than just a cart filled with treats, this new service is an opportunity to bring a little extra excitement to each day. Residents will have the chance to socialize with volunteers and visitors, enjoy a friendly conversation, and choose something special just for them. We’re excited to see the smiles, connections, and moments of joy The Lemonaid Cart will bring to our communities!
Kathy’s Story
As we begin to implement our Lemonaid Carts in our communities, feel free to read about the founder, Kathy Kooienga, and the journey that led her to start an amazing mission!
SO, WHAT IS “THE LEMONAID CART”??
Hmmm…. Nothing to do with lemonaid, but lots to do with lemons!! When I was diagnosed with cancer for the 4th time, I started “The Lemon-aid Cart”! This is my way of “Kickin’ those lemons to the curb” that life hands you as well as a way of staying positive and offering hope to others.
“The Lemonaid Cart” was founded in 2023 during my first treatment on my 4th cancer journey. When I realized that the couple across from me had brought neither lunch or snacks, I shared mine. I began interviewing patients and nurses and seen a need, not just for snacks, but hope and encouragement as well! When praying on it, I felt God put it in my spirit to provide a cart 5 days a week.
Although I was still working full time and didn’t know where to get volunteers or donations, I took a leap of faith and said YES to God as long as He stayed in control and I could follow His lead! So, we built the cart and called the Cancer Center. The rest is history! The Cart is funded entirely by donations and God’s providence as I did not ask for any donations or financial assistance for 16 months until my own 501c3 was approved. I retired at the age of 70 to operate this non-profit ministry, and by the Grace of God, we are now serving patients and providing hope and encouragement. The Cart currently makes its rounds at the Cancer and Hematology Infusion Center at Kenmore in Grand Rapids and the Holland location on Riley St. It is accompanied by volunteers Monday through Friday.
Since January 5, 2024, we have served well over 50,000 patients and their families, nurses, visitors, and doctors. Together, we deliver snacks, treats, drinks, books, puzzle books, etc. to patients receiving treatments, along with a warm blanket if needed as well as hope and encouragement. Our volunteers are either cancer survivors or have been affected by cancer personally. All the items are non-profit and free to all, and it is our honor and privilege to provide this service.
“My LEMONAID JOURNEY”
Hello, my name is Kathy Kooienga, and this is the story of my real life “Lemon-aid Journey”. I am a four-time cancer survivor, and these 4 episodes are part of my “lemon” journey.
In 2000, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Breast Cancer during the same period. In the process of being diagnosed, my CT discovered 2 large masses in my uterus. The doctors strongly suspected they were cancer. While waiting for an appointment with an Oncologist/Gynecologist who was scheduling me for exploration surgery, I felt a great desire to be in church with fellow believers. In response to the prayers of God’s people, God healed me from cancer. The next day, I had an appointment with the Oncologist/Gynecologist. During that appointment, I told my story to the doctor as well as telling him that I was not going to have exploration surgery. He was not very happy with me; he told me I was foolish and asked if I was really going to “stand on my faith” and take a chance on losing my life. He left the room to give me time to think! When he came back, I told him my answer was still the same and I was sticking to my decision. As I was already having female issues, I told him he could do a complete hysterectomy. By doing so,
I would then avoid Uterus, Ovarian, and Cervical cancer. He finally agreed to do the hysterectomy. The doctor wanted to leave my ovaries…. my response was all or nothing… He agreed to do the surgery! During my after-surgery exam, I asked the doctor what my results were. He said what they thought were masses were gone, and he couldn’t explain it, “as sometimes those things just happen”. I told him I KNEW what happened! The healing hand of God was on my life.
I have paper records of all my reports concerning this episode, both the suspected masses before and after surgery. I went on to have chemotherapy and radiation and was eventually pronounced clear of cancer. In 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on both sides, and I had 2 lumpectomies. I refused radiation as I had the cancers surgically removed, they were in situ and contained, were non-aggressive, and the perimeters were clear. I felt the risks outweighed the benefits at that point.
In 2017, I was diagnosed with both breasts again and chose to have a complete mastectomy, with no other treatment needed as the perimeters were all clear. In July 2023, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma Large B Cell diffuse this time, and my last chemo treatment was on October 13, 2023. I also have a Lifetime Limit of the chemo I received for 2 of the cancers.
So here it is, I refuse to let cancer or any other of the lemons I’ve been dealt with, to rule my life. I plan on making lemon-aid out of those lemons and so I proactively created “The Lemonaid Cart”!!
Friend, I share my “Lemonaid” journey to encourage you in knowing that God is there for us now, always has been and always will be. What He has done for one; He can do for others. He is the same today, yesterday, and forever. I am no one special, I am just an ordinary Kat, and I don’t know how I would have gotten through all my lemons in life without God by my side. By putting my trust in Jesus, I was able to have that peace beyond all understanding” no matter whether I survived here on this earth or went to a better place to live in my heavenly home that is waiting for me. Statistics tell me, I will probably have another bout, but I am clinging to my faith and my peace in knowing I am not the one in control of my life anyway. I have had a lifetime limit of chemo for 2 of my cancers, 4 different kinds of cancer, and multiple surgeries. And I am thankful that I can lay that all aside and just live my life… one day at a time!! For me, what has helped me through my journey was depending on God for my strength and my hope, and then just focusing on what I could do and leaving the rest up to my faithful God. Are you in need of that peace that is beyond all understanding? The hope of knowing that someone has your back…no matter what? Knowing God is where you can get it. You just have to ask! Don’t know God??? If so, say the prayer below and mean it from the bottom of your heart. God loves you!
