Our Staff
Angela Andary
Angela Andary, Executive Director
Angela Andary serves as the Executive Director of the Swan for Life Cancer Foundation (SFLCF). In this role, she oversees and manages all aspects of running the Foundation including Program Development, Fund Development, Strategic Planning, Public Relations, and Marketing.
Angela was personally touched by cancer when her father battled lung cancer for 8 years which eventually took his life and shaped her career path. “Watching my father handle his diagnosis and treatment of cancer, which included two lung surgeries, two brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, with such grace and dignity inspired me,” says Angela. “Anything I can do to help support and educate the cancer community is truly an honor for me.”
Prior to joining the Foundation, Angela worked for Oakland County as the Wellness and Training Coordinator. In this position, she was in charge of Website marketing and coordinated the Annual Oakland County Wellness Health Fair.
She has more than a decade of previous sales and marketing experience as an award-winning Oncology Sales Specialist with Pfizer; Account Representative with Xerox and a Marketing Assistant at IBM.
Angela holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Oakland University, where she is currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration.
Leah McLean
Leah McLean, LMSW, OSW-C
Leah McLean, Clincial and Program Director for the Swan for Life Cancer Foundation (SFLCF), developed the template for services at the Foundation. She is the facilitator for the support groups, as well as the clinician that addresses both the emotional needs and the tangible resources at the Foundation. She works daily with patients, families, and their caregivers to ensure that they have the resources they need.
Leah comes to the Foundation with experience in developing other clinical oncology programs in Southeast Michigan and has a passion for working with cancer patients.
“I was already an oncology social worker prior to being touched personally by cancer,” she said. “As I was resigning from my job as an oncology social worker in order to raise my young children, my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. It was an experience that would change my life. I was able to use my professional experience to help her understand the world of oncology, to better help her adjust to her diagnosis.”
She continued, “I came to realize that the best support was linking her to other survivors. The support group she joined was her lifeline. I’ve seen firsthand how survivors can impact one another. When I decided to return to work, after my youngest was in elementary school, I was fortunate to return to working in oncology. I now have both personal and professional experience that leads me in helping guide cancer patients. Through support, education, and resources, my goal is to help patients navigate their personal cancer journey.”
In 1991, Leah earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She earned her Master of Social Work degree also from the University of Michigan, in 1992. Her concentration was in clinical services, specifically working in the healthcare setting. She received her Oncology Social Work Certification (OSW-C) in 2009. Her experience also includes volunteering with local cancer support programs to assist with fundraising.
She lives in Clarkston with her husband and four children.
Laura Wakefield, Grantwriter/Fund Development Director
Laura Wakefield serves as the Grant Writer for Swan for Life Cancer Foundation. This role encompasses financial reporting, writing grants to public and private institutions and foundations to seek funding for the many program and events that are offered.
Laura has been personally touched by cancer through several family members. Currently her mentally handicapped brother is a colon cancer survivor; he was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 35. “Swan for Life Cancer Foundation meets not only the cancer patients needs, but also recognizes the needs of the caregivers. Witnessing my parents’ strength day in and day out to care for my brother with love and compassion gives me the passion to provide educational and wellness services to this very special community of healthcare providers.”
She is a graduate of Walsh College with a Bachelors of Business Administration, majoring in Finance. Laura’s experience includes business administration in legal, banking, and healthcare environments.
Laura lives in Davisburg with her husband and three children.
Gwen Colorito, LMSW, ACSW
Gwen Colorito, LMSW, ACSW is working with Leah McLean to provide Clinical Oncology Social Work services through Swan For Life Cancer Foundation.
Gwen joins the SFLCF with over twenty-one years experience in the social work field, earning her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees fromWayneStateUniversity. She has been employed for the last eighteen years as a Clinical Social Worker in an acute care hospital setting. As a hospital social worker, Gwen works with individuals and families experiencing acute and chronic health care issues providing evaluation of patient needs, adjustment to illness counseling and links to community resources.
Gwen knows that, these days, virtually every one is touched by cancer in some way. She is looking forward to working in a supportive role with patients, families and caregivers who find themselves traveling through the specialized world of oncology.
“My role with Swan For Life will be to assist cancer survivors and their loved ones in coping with the myriad of issues they are facing through the continuum of cancer care. The goal is to enhance overall adjustment, understanding and coping mechanisms while utilizing available wellness programs to promote a positive quality of life. Mainstream medicine and the community are now embracing what social workers have known for a long time about healing through a mind-body-spirit connection. It’s a perfect fit with Dr. Fata’s vision of Swan For Life Cancer Foundation.”
Gwen lives inMacombwith her husband and three children.
Nutrition Counseling
Sharon Meyer, R.D.
B.S. in Human Nutrition Michigan State University
Registered Dietitians, American Dietetic Association
Cindy Crandell R.N., C.N.
Cindy uses a holistic approach and specializes as a lifestyle educator. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in the field of health and nutrition through her extensive experience with adolescent, adult and geriatric populations. Cindy has a degree in Applied Science from Oakland Community College School of Nursing is certified in Nutrition, Health and Fitness from the International Institute of Holistic Healing and is First Line Therapy Certified.
Cindy has been featured on Fox 2 News with Dena Centofanti during “The Doctor is in Segment”, she has aired with Pete Misiak on WJR 760 AM “Big Story “and has joined Dr. Robert Levine of Henry Ford as a co-host on WNZK 690 AM for his Wednesday Wellness talk show. Cindy is also a member of American Association of Nutritional Consultants, Celiac Foundation and Clarkston chamber of Commerce
Background and Training
- Wellness Services
- Evaluate and customize nutrition needs for individual patients.
- Use nutrition and high quality foods to protect against and fight the side effects of oncology treatment.
- Demonstrate how cancer patients can easily incorporate good nutrition into daily lives
- Good Nutrition will help increase energy and appetite during treatment
- “Pick foods that pack a punch”
Acupuncture
Jeffrey T. Remer, L. Ac., MAOM
Diplomat of Oriental Medicine
Board Certified in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Background and Training
Graduate of American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Houston, Texas
Certified in Clean Need Technique
Wellness Services
- Cancer Support (acupuncture, dietary therapy) and counseling
- Specialist in pain management, fatigue and nausea
- Depression, stress and anxiety
- Support for low immunity
Clinical Massage Therapy
Suzanne Albert, Certified Massage Therapist
Background and Training
Beaumont School of Oncology and Hospital MassageOakland Community College – Certificate in Massage Therapy
Healing Touch – Levels 1,2 & 3 Reiki levels 1 & 2
Integrative Yoga Therapy & Clearlight Yoga Shala Teacher Training
Member of ABMP, Healing Touch Center,Y.A.G.D and Yoga Alliance
Oncology massage takes into account where a person is on their journey and the treatments involved. Compassionate care can be an important part in the healing process. Massage can help to reduce muscle tension, stress and anxiety. Massage can also help with improving range of motion, scar tissue and help to overcome neuropathy in the hands and feet.
Energy work such as Reiki and Healing Touch is an energy based therapeutic approach to healing. This provides a therapeutic option for those who are in pain or unable to be touched. The goal of healing touch is to restore balance and harmony in the energy system and to help the person to self heal. Research as shown this to promote relaxation, reduction in stress and pain, and improve the quality of life. Usually, after a session people state “I feel whole again” “ I feel like a new person” Typically a person can remain fully clothed for a session.
Wellness Services
Oncology massage – lighter touch to the body during massage which is helpful in reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation.
Scar Tissue Therapy – Massage to help to reverse the side effects of scar tissue after the site is clean and dry. Helpful to reduce tightness to the area and to increase range of motion.
Specialized massage to help with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy of the hands and feet.
Healing Touch/ Reiki – Energy work to help to restore the natural flow of energy in the body.
Yoga
Yoga Oasis
248-770-5388
Background and Training
- A community based program with yoga instructors educated in adaptive, restorative and structural yoga as well as the philosophy of yoga.
- Registered with the National Yoga Alliance.
- A philosophical system originating in India, designed to create harmony between body, mind and spirit
Wellness Services
- Yoga may build the patient physically, emotionally and spiritually.
- Classes are designed to accommodate the individual needs of the patient. The class may include breathing exercises, meditation and asanas (postures).
- Restorative poses and calming breathing practices may help with fatigue and stress.
- Movements may help relieve the after effects of treatment.
- Yoga helps to erase the gap between what the thought was not possible and what is.
- Caregivers are welcome
- Private classes are available