Tag Archives: Northbrook
I just received the latest edition (#4) of the Destination Mah Jongg World Championship newsletter and was so delighted to read the following about my favorite cause – Stay Strong and Mahj On (SSAMO):
And for those of you who might not yet have received the newsletter, here are some excerpts:
SSAMO…once more!
I had to run this posting one more time because I want the three women responsible for this great Stay Strong and Mahj On event to know about some of the comments that came in after I posted information on their successful fundraiser. Not all of the comments have gone to the blog – many of them came directly to me at my email address and they all were filled with raves and thanks and love. However, I was particularly taken by the comments from Gladys Grad who, in the middle of her very busy life was able to take the time to comment so graciously on SSAMO (“What a wonderful and inspiring event. We wish you much success and lots of strength to keep on keeping-on. Please let us know if we can do anything to help you with future events. Sincerely, Gladys Grad Mah Jongg Madness and Mah Jongg Master Points.”) And I was also delighted to see a comment from Joanne Harris who has a shop – Mahjongg Ladies – on Etsy and has so generously offered to donate something for the next SSAMO event (“Hi Ladies, and congratulations on your First Annual Mahj On to support Cancer Wellness Center! Please let me know when your next event will be held, and I’ll be glad to donate something, from my Etsy shop, for the auction or raffle portion of the day. MahjonggLadies on Etsy Joanne Harris.”)
You can see these heartwarming comments and others if you go back to yesterday’s posting.
All this proves what I always say: Mah Jongg people are the nicest people.
This is the clever and wonderful logo from the three young women who have founded Stay Strong and Mahj On. These three women met as interns and developed a strong friendship. Little did they know when they first met that all three of their mothers would face a cancer diagnosis. Alexis Miller, Jordyn Fishman, and Moriah Berry were inspired by their mothers’ strength and courage; they put together a very successful fundraiser last weekend benefitting the nonprofit Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Alexis, Jordyn, and Moriah have told me that they plan to make this an annual event – kudos to them for turning a difficult situation into something very positive.
Enjoy these photos from the First Annual Stay Strong and Mahj On Fundraiser…
SSAMO
This is the clever and wonderful logo from the three young women who have founded Stay Strong and Mahj On. These three women met as interns and developed a strong friendship. Little did they know when they first met that all three of their mothers would face a cancer diagnosis. Alexis Miller, Jordyn Fishman, and Moriah Berry were inspired by their mothers’ strength and courage; they put together a very successful fundraiser last weekend benefitting the nonprofit Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Alexis, Jordyn, and Moriah have told me that they plan to make this an annual event – kudos to them for turning a difficult situation into something very positive.
Enjoy these photos from the First Annual Stay Strong and Mahj On Fundraiser…
STAY STRONG AND MAHJ ON…
I’ve been going through an ordeal of late and, although a few of you know about it, I haven’t discussed it publicly until now, after I saw the following website below.
This past March I went for my annual mammogram and guess what…the radiologist found something that didn’t look right. A biopsy was performed, followed soon after with some bad news. My amazing and very skilled surgeon operated on me, my incredible and reassuring oncologist did the follow-up, and currently I am receiving daily radiation treatments under the guidance of my incredibly kind and caring radiation oncologist.
I am so lucky to have this brilliant and amazing team of doctors and really, really lucky that I have my annual mammograms…what about YOU?
So, if you are anywhere near the Northbrook/Chicago, Illinois area today, please support this worthwhile fundraiser. The organizers, three young and very committed women, are to be admired for putting this on in support of the Cancer Wellness Center of Northbrook. I have contacted them and would love to work on other similar fundraisers with them – stay tuned to see if something comes out of this. In the meantime, here is the information – I am wishing them tremendous success on their inaugural endeavor.
THREE INTERNS, BREAST CANCER AND MAH JONGG.
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

Pictured from left to right: Moriah Berry, Jordyn Fishman, and Alexis Miller
There are certain experiences that bond people for life. For us, it was being daughters of breast cancer warriors. We met during the summer of 2013 when we interned through an internship program and became fast friends. Throughout the school year, the three of us made sure to get together every break when we were home to catch up and reminisce. Our friendship grew. We were there for each other through break-ups, graduations, and even cancer. While other friends might not have understood the impact of watching your mother lose her hair, changing drains, and having to hold a mother’s hand through surgery, we all just got it.
Over Thanksgiving break 2014, we had an idea. Why not plan an event dedicated to our moms, who all have survived breast cancer, and raise awareness? We were all inspired by the shear strength and courage our mothers displayed, and wanted to do something to honor them and all they have done for us. That is how Stay Strong and Mahj On came to fruition. Our mothers are all avid Mah Jongg players, as are we. We could not think of a better way to celebrate our mothers, while working towards a good cause.
The money raised from the event will benefit the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, Illinois. This Center has helped our families as well as thousands of others dealing with cancer. We are honored and excited to plan this event, and it is providing a fun diversion to our full-time schoolwork. With your help, we hope to raise enough money to help support a nutritionist for the Cancer Wellness Center and help spread awareness about breast cancer, especially through our personal narratives.
STAY STRONG AND MAHJ ON…
I’ve been going through an ordeal of late and, although a few of you know about it, I haven’t discussed it publicly until now, after I saw the following website below.
This past March I went for my annual mammogram and guess what…the radiologist found something that didn’t look right. A biopsy was performed, followed soon after with some bad news. My amazing and very skilled surgeon operated on me, my incredible and reassuring oncologist did the follow-up, and currently I am receiving daily radiation treatments under the guidance of my incredibly kind and caring radiation oncologist.
I am so lucky to have this brilliant and amazing team of doctors and really, really lucky that I have my annual mammograms…what about YOU?
So, if you are anywhere near the Northbrook/Chicago, Illinois area tomorrow, please support this worthwhile fundraiser. The organizers, three young and very committed women, are to be admired for putting this on in support of the Cancer Wellness Center of Northbrook. I have contacted them and would love to work on other similar fundraisers with them – stay tuned to see if something comes out of this. In the meantime, here is the information – I am wishing them tremendous success on their inaugural endeavor.
THREE INTERNS, BREAST CANCER AND MAH JONGG.
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

Pictured from left to right: Moriah Berry, Jordyn Fishman, and Alexis Miller
There are certain experiences that bond people for life. For us, it was being daughters of breast cancer warriors. We met during the summer of 2013 when we interned through an internship program and became fast friends. Throughout the school year, the three of us made sure to get together every break when we were home to catch up and reminisce. Our friendship grew. We were there for each other through break-ups, graduations, and even cancer. While other friends might not have understood the impact of watching your mother lose her hair, changing drains, and having to hold a mother’s hand through surgery, we all just got it.
Over Thanksgiving break 2014, we had an idea. Why not plan an event dedicated to our moms, who all have survived breast cancer, and raise awareness? We were all inspired by the shear strength and courage our mothers displayed, and wanted to do something to honor them and all they have done for us. That is how Stay Strong and Mahj On came to fruition. Our mothers are all avid Mah Jongg players, as are we. We could not think of a better way to celebrate our mothers, while working towards a good cause.
The money raised from the event will benefit the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, Illinois. This Center has helped our families as well as thousands of others dealing with cancer. We are honored and excited to plan this event, and it is providing a fun diversion to our full-time schoolwork. With your help, we hope to raise enough money to help support a nutritionist for the Cancer Wellness Center and help spread awareness about breast cancer, especially through our personal narratives.