---

Over 130 gathered Thursday at Mary’s Place by the Sea to celebrate the nonprofit’s one year anniversary in its new home.

Located on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, the new home is the result of countless fundraising initiatives and an an over 18 month custom build out period overseen by co founders Michele Gannon and Maria McKeon [shown below] and their team.  

While Mary’s Place by the Sea began in 2009, it has grown into a state-of-the-art 10 bedroom facility that offers women diagnosed with cancer a non-clinical safe haven aimed at providing a break from medical treatments and daily responsibilities.

“We are continually humbled by the outpouring of love and support from our local community,” the women behind the nonprofit said in a written statement. “They have embraced us since our beginning, and with their help we have been able to care for over 7,000 women with cancer from all over the country. This anniversary celebration was an opportunity to thank our supporters, and demonstrate the difference we are making in the lives of our guests, because of their belief in our mission.”

On average the cost of hosting a guest for a three-day stay equates to $400. Among the gratis services offered are oncology massage, meditation, yoga, reiki, counseling, and nutritional education.

“The women and I who enter here, enter very heavy-hearted, scared, weary, and battered by the aggressiveness of the treatments and the aggressiveness of the disease,” guest Teriz Michael said. “We are sometimes not validated by others and can be misunderstood….but we exit Mary’s Place loved back to life, cared for back to hope. We are smiled upon, we are loved, empowered, listened to, we are cheered on, we are supported, we are believed in, we are recognized as humans.”

The organization’s one year impact report, conducted from May 31, 2016 to June 1, 2017, shows 908 women with cancer walked through their doors, with 244 individual counseling sessions, 280 nutrition education sessions,1350 organic plant-based meals, 616 oncology massages, and 211 guided meditations administered.

The program has run with a staff of 135 volunteers and volunteer practitioners whose 5,528 hours equates to $138,200. And while women travel from across the nation, 90 percent of Mary’s Place by the Sea individual supporters are located within Ocean and Monmouth counties, with 75 cents of every dollar directly funding the program.

And while Mary’s Place by the Sea hosts two major fundraisers a year, it relies on third-party fundraising dollars to support its daily operations. Those interested in supporting Mary’s Place by the Sea may contact Director of Development Felicia Levine at 732-455-5344.

Mary’s Place by the Sea is located at 22 Main Ave in Ocean Grove. For more information, visit their website, Facebook page, or view the 5 minute long  information video below:

[Photos in part courtesy of Christine Smith and Tracey James Photography]

—————————————————————–

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

---