Friends Together started as a Promise…

Following her oldest daughter’s diagnosis with colon cancer, Judy Burns and her family looked for support during their daughter Dawn’s cancer journey. While the Burns family found reputable medical care, they could not find people to talk to who understood what they were experiencing and found little to no supports or help for patients and loved ones in  northeast Michigan.

Before Dawn passed away in 1995, Judy had promised her daughter that no one would face cancer alone as they did. She knew her life’s mission was to be present for others going through the cancer journey.

Judy made the decision to stand up and be available for those in our community dealing with cancer, starting the nonprofit cancer support organization Friends Together in 1996.

Judy remained the cornerstone of the organization, helping countless patients and families throughout northeast MI for almost three decades. Her youngest daughter Melissa Burns is now at the helm as the organization’s current Executive Director and continues the work to fulfill Judy’s promise.