AnCan Foundation, the innovator of virtual support groups, is coming to our 10th Anniversary in less than 10 months. We’ve grown – about one-third of US nonprofits fail in that time, and we have flourished. Starting with 3, or was it 4, meetings, AnCan now boasts 33 virtual monthly events for 16 different conditions. If that’s not evidence enough, annually we serve around 7,000 live; approx. 33,000 through our recordings, and we have close to a half-million who make contact with the AnCan logo somehow or other annually. That’s a lot. Watch out for our new Impact Report that’s in the works.
It’s certainly more than one person can handle. In fact, it’s more than myself, a volunteer, plus 4 contract people and an outside bookkeeper can handle. I’m not the only volunteer. I am so honored and privileged to say it’s more than around 100 volunteers can handle, and we could not manage without your efforts – much gratitude.
For some time, the executive function has been too much for me to manage alone, even with the help of our volunteer Executive Board made up right now of Bill Franklin, David Muslin and Stuart Jordan – btw, we’re looking to add to that too. We’ve been looking to hire executive help and the perfect solution has presented itself.
Some of you may be aware of the term, Fractional Executives – The Charity CFO just ran a podcast. AnCan has been fortunate enough to find one who knows us intimately. Courtesy of the USAF and subsequently, extensive consulting experience at The Mitre Corporation, our Board President, Bill Franklin, is voluntarily reducing his hours at Mitre to take on a contract position of 16-20 hours a week with lil’ ol’ AnCan.
As our Board President since August 2021, Bill knows all the ins and out, he’s seen us grow, and most significantly he’s willing to work with me! Bill’s also looking to phase out of Mitre and find new challenges as he approaches retirement. AnCan provided a great solution and we welcome him as our new Chief Operating Officer.
Bill will continue as Board President as well as assuming oversight over many of the operating and administrative duties, from finance and control to insurance, compliance and many special projects – viz. the Impact Report !?! To be honest, Bill’s been doing a lot of this informally but can now spend legitimate time a couple of days a week to help us put our ship, or maybe we should say ‘our bird’, in better order.
Personally, I am thrilled and excited. There’s no one I can think I would rather work with. I welcome him sharing this job with me, and keeping me on the straight and narrow as he has done since joining the Board many years ago. One other person to thank – another aviator, Bill’s wife Misa. If she hadn’t gotten on his case for spending many volunteer hours with AnCan, Bill wouldn’t have come up with this great solution.
Welcome aboard, Sarge… or should I say, Mr. Prez! AnCan welcomes Air Relief
And when we say free, we mean that in addition to the lesson being free, the supplies will also be free, too!! We are SO happy that we are able to offer this class – especially because it will benefit a community of individuals that is much more in need of mental health benefits than they might realize.
Last day to register is June 19th. We want to make sure everyone receives their supplies on time!
Your instructor, Hannah Garrison, currently works with the VA hospital system in San Antonio, TX, as a creative arts instructor for their psychiatric units. She has been there to witness the incredible mental health benefits of a creative arts practice in the individuals she works with. We’re here to provide space for a community of like-minded individuals. Starting a new hobby can be intimidating, so that’s why we are so happy to be able to provide your supplies completely free.
PLEASE send this class registration to any and all Veterans you know, that may be interested.
We’ll be using watercolors and watercolor pencils! You’ll be receiving everything needed to complete this project in our class time – minus any napkins and water, of course.
Are you a Veteran in need of some virtual support? Whether you have chronic illness, cancer, mental health concerns, etc; we welcome you with open arms. We’re a virtual support group filled with other peers who have a lot of advice and support to offer.
Next meeting is June 22nd at 8pm ET / 5pm PT. Drop in HERE. No need to register.
Looking to make some art a little sooner? We have our next general art class on June 8th at 8pm ET! It’s free, and it’s BYOAS (Bring Your Own Art Supplies). We’re making an acrylic painting on canvas!
Hello friends! We have yet another recording for art class! This time we have May’s art project: Twilight In The Pines! Last week we got to use acrylic paint for this serene piney scene at the twilight hour. We had a great time, and we even celebrated longtime participant, Karen Broder’s birthday!
If you’d like to give it a try for yourself, check out the video below:
Check out supplies here:
Canvas 9x12in OR your size preference
Acrylic paints: Two types of Blues (I’ll show you how to make more blues if you don’t have another)/ Orange / Pink (I used a dark pink; can use red if needed) / Yellow / White / Black
Brushes: Flat 3/4in or similar / Fan brush small size OR Round brush if you don’t have a fan brush
Water
Napkins
Option: something to cover up anything you don’t want paint splatters to get on
Know someone who wants more information about our art classes? Send them over to our Art Class FAQ HERE
You can also check out past class there, too!
Our next class will be held a little bit earlier than usual: Thursday June 8th at 8pm ET
Hello friends! In case you missed April’s AnCan Friends Art Class, we wanted to share the recording with our amazing community. This project uses both crayons and watercolors for a crayon wax resist effect! Check it out below:
You’ll need crayons, watercolors, mixed media paper or watercolor paper, and either a round brush or a flat brush. I happened to use a size # 8 round brush.
In case you’re having trouble figuring out what colors to use, you’ll see a few different examples of paintings I’ve done in the past. Mostly I just had fun experimenting with the colors, and I hope you can do the same, too! We’re always so proud of the work that comes out of this class. Happy painting!!!
I am writing with a very heavy heart to report the death of our dear Board Member, Advisory Board Member, Moderator, Participant and my good buddy, Herb Geller PhD G-d Rest His Soul.
The loss of dear Herb z”l is already reverberating around AnCan and will undoubtedly amplify as more learn of his demise. Herb touched many well beyond his Advanced Prostate Cancer ‘Brains Trust’, Moderators, Peers and Participants. The Blood Cancer group got to know him well when he attended regularly on behalf of his brother. The Pancreatic Cancer folks met him when he showed up for his next door neighbor. Our Men Speaking Freely Group loved and respected him for sharing his fears and concerns. Members of our Advisory Board got to interact with Herb as did Medical Academics and others who participated in AnCan’s research projects.
Here are a few of the words I already see bandied around –
“kind, smart, caring, thoughtful”
“My heart is heavy and I’m at a loss for words. There is something I’m feeling that I can’t express sufficiently”
“this is the deepest hurt since we lost Dominic (2015)”
“Thanks to each of you for your loving support of him and all of us for each other.”
Herb passed away from advanced prostate cancer that had evidently morphed into small cell/neuroendocrine like (NEC) disease. A late diagnosis just one day before he entered the NIH, his place of work, identified this. Herb was scheduled to undergo tests for his highly elevated endocrine markers, however the source was now evident on admission. The NIH never appeared to acknowledge or treat him for this diagnosis. It finally added a neuroendocrine oncologist to Herb’s team after 21 days after repeated AnCan prodding from the date of admission. Herb underwent research procedures related to Cushing’s Disease and its symptoms. In due course, AnCan will follow up as appropriate.
Never one to give up the opportunity to sail anything from a small dinghy to an ocean-going yacht, Dr. Herb Geller was a nationally recognized expert in neuro-biology; a profile is available on the NIH site. Herbie loved a a good Scotch, in Skye or anywhere else. On his request, AnCan did its best to sneak in a wee dram just to wet his lip in the final days but the ‘powers that be’ prevented us. I’ll have one for you tonight, Herb! And, we’ll make sure both your AnCan posters get written up for submission with credit to you.
Herb is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy, Director of the Office of Biostatistics for the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the NIH. Also his younger brother, Ken, an eminent Supreme Court Advocate kennethsgeller@gmail.com. We wish Herb’s family and many friends, especially his “AnCan Family”, much comfort. May Herb’s memory always be a blessing – it certainly will be here at AnCan.
For our Jewish readers, Herb’s z”l Hebrew name is Chanan Moshe ben Aaron v’Sara; he died on 25th Nisan.
Hey Friends! If you missed last Thursday’s art class, then I have the recording for you right here! Share it far and wide, and don’t forget to email your pictures to Alexa (Alexa at AnCan.org).
Supplies:
Canvas Size 12in x 12in or similar. Feel free to use a rectangle as well
Acrylic Paints: White, Blue (or whatever other Sky & sea color you want), Orange, Yellow, optional Purple
Palette Knife
Brush: 3/4in or similar
Optional tiny brush OR tooth pick OR cotton swab for optional birds
Water
Napkins
Watch here:
Have fun with this and please don’t hesitate to reach out to Hannah@AnCan.org with any additional comments & questions. Happy painting!
AnCan Foundation, the innovator of virtual support groups, is coming to our 10th Anniversary in less than 10 months. We’ve grown – about one-third of US nonprofits fail in that time, and we have flourished. Starting with 3, or was it 4, meetings, AnCan now boasts 33 virtual monthly events for 16 different conditions. If that’s not evidence enough, annually we serve around 7,000 live; approx. 33,000 through our recordings, and we have close to a half-million who make contact with the AnCan logo somehow or other annually. That’s a lot. Watch out for our new Impact Report that’s in the works.
