The Lake House
Madeline Bialecki, executive director of The Lake House, "A Gathering Place for Those Touched by Cancer," was the stand-in guest speaker at the Jan. 26, 2015, luncheon meeting of Rotary of Grosse Pointe. Though a Michigan native, Bialecki spent 28 years in Pennsylvania, where she made a career in managing nonprofit organizations. "I was in Rotary for 10 years in Pennsylvania," she told the Grosse Pointe Rotarians. "I love Rotary."
Above, from left at the Rotary meeting, were Programs Committee Chair Ted Everingham, who introduced the speaker, Bialecki and Stanley. (Photo by John Minnis)
Before moving back to Michigan, Bialecki served as caregiver for a close friend who was found to have a type of cancer in the brain. Through helping her friend through radiation treatments, infections and setbacks, Bialecki received a crash course in oncology and its complications. When her friend finely passed away, she moved back to her native state, close to the water in St. Clair Shores. She became acquainted with The Lake House through taking yoga classes there. When told The Lake House executive director was leaving and asked if she would be interested in the job, she "jumped at the chance." Originally formed in 2011 as Gilda's Club East, The Lake House is an independent 501(c)3 organization serving, primarily, St. Clair Shores and the Grosse Pointes. Its mission is to provide support, education and wellness activities for those impacted by cancer. "The Lake House is for anyone who has been touched by cancer," Bialecki said. "You don't have to have had cancer."
Joining Bialecki at the lectern was volunteer Pam Stanley, a four-year cancer survivor. "The Lake House gives me a chance to give back to all those people who supported me," she said.