Farmington Hills Mom 'Forever Grateful' to New Day Foundation

Two upcoming  benefit events will support a Rochester-based foundation that helped a Farmington Hills breast cancer survivor and her two sons.

Glovita LaMar-Brown, a single mom of two boys, KeSean Brown, 8 and Kevin Brown, 13, was diagnosed in September of 2012, after feeling pain in her right breast. She completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but has been unable to work. That's why New Day Foundation for Families stepped in to help. 

"Through Beaumont Hospital, a social worker identified me as someone who could really benefit from the New Day Foundation," she said. "I will be forever grateful to everyone involved.”

Over the past year, New Day helped La-Mar Brown, a claims examiner, keep up with her monthly expenses. “Gina (of New Day) is so easy to talk to and truly an angel in my life," she said. 

To continue supporting families in need, the Foundation will host Mickey York’s Evening Under the Stars event on Sept. 20, in the Meadow Brook Hall Tent at Oakland University and the 8th annual Matt Kell Memorial Golf Outing at Sharf Golf Course, also at Oakland University on Sept. 23.

"This year's event is going to be the best yet," said Mickey York, Fox Detroit Sports anchor. "We have a great evening planned with cocktails, dinner, live entertainment, dancing and phenomenal live and silent auctions all in the name of helping young families affected by cancer ... If this is not a party with a purpose, I don't know what is.” 

The events are in memory of Matt Kell and Cathy Spehn, who both died of cancer seven years ago. New Day Foundation was created in 2007 to sustain families with children under age 18 in the home, by providing financial, emotional and practical assistance with needs after a cancer diagnosis.

New Day co-founders Michael and Gina Spehn each had young children when they lost their spouses to cancer. They wrote the New York Times Bestselling memoir The Color of Rain: How Two Families Found Faith, Hope & Love in the Midst of Tragedy. Recently, their family traveled to Vancouver to shoot a 2014 Hallmark movie based on their story. 

Mickey York’s Evening Under the Stars event tickets are $100 each, and tables of eight are available for $800. The Matt Kell Memorial Golf Outing is $165 per individual or $660 per foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

To register for, or sponsor, either or both events, visit foundationforfamilies.org or call Gina Kell Spehn at 248-330-0471.