About Holly Ball

For the past 49 years, Holly Ball has raised over $13 million benefiting the greatest patient needs for CentraCare Hospice and Cancer Care as well as the Central Minnesota Child Advocacy Center. These funds supplement the little extras when not covered by insurance. Click on each service to learn what your vital donations cover.

Philanthropy-funded cancer programs and services:

Donations help patients living with cancer and their caregivers receive many services — some not covered by insurance — beneficial for healing in mind, body and spirit. These include:

  • Acupuncture to relieve pain and ease common side effects of cancer treatment
  • Art Therapy for self-exploration and healing
  • Enhancement Program for personalized wig-fitting, hats, skin care and make-up tips
  • Massage Therapy or Healing Touch to promote relaxation and reduce stress
  • Music Therapy to promotes self-expression, symptom management and relaxation through personalized music experiences
  • Paxman Scalp Cooling to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy
  • Qigong and Yoga to help boost energy and manage side effects

“This package of healing services so close to home is such a blessing. Coborn Cancer Center has been my second family. They made it about the ‘who’ and not the ‘what.’ Everyone has been so congenial and comforting. The receptionists are jovial, fun and always giving so much. Everyone treated me so nice, like I was their family.” ~ Bernie Perryman, breast cancer survivor

Philanthropy-funded hospice programs and services:

  • Massage, music, animal and art therapy
  • Home-delivered meals and medical alert services
  • Educational resources on death and dying and grief and bereavement
  • Mementos and keepsakes for loved ones including recordable books, handprints and memory boxes
  • No One Dies Alone volunteers
  • We Honor Veterans to improve the care provided to veterans

“The We Honor Veterans ceremony held the day before he passed meant so much to us. Every detail was taken care of so that we could just be present with our dad.” ~ Family of Andy Oravetz

Philanthropy-funded Child Advocacy Center programs and services:

CentraCare’s Child Advocacy Center has seen over 1,190 victims and 1,451 caregivers from 41 counties in Central Minnesota since opening over four years ago. Survivors and their caregivers receive:

  • Specialized forensic interviews to allow the victim a chance to share about their experience
  • Comprehensive medical examinations to assure children that they are OK
  • Client-centered family advocacy including resource guides and educational materials
  • Immediate access to trauma-focused mental health care as part of their healing journey
  • Personal care and comfort items, emergency financial assistance

“The ability to speak with someone myself was so helpful. What a terrific place for children to speak. It was nothing short of healing for me being a sexual abuse survivor as well. The backpack full of things gave my daughter so much excitement.” ~ Caregiver of child seen at the Child Advocacy Center

“I was explained everything that was happening. I never knew this service existed in our area. Truly a blessing in a difficult situation.” ~ Caregiver of child seen at the Child Advocacy Center

A Music Milestone: Walk Together

“Walk Together” premiered at the 2019 Holly Ball, a CentraCare Foundation event that benefited CentraCare’s Cancer and Hospice programs.

The concept for the song and music video was a team effort. The Holly Ball production team wanted a song to inspire those who have cancer and those who love them.

Scott Wachtler wrote the preliminary lyrics and music as an inspiration for Michael Shynes. Then, Michael and Ted Manderfeld worked from the lyrics and melody to come up with the final song that was produced with the help of David Gerald Sutton. Click on Watch on YouTube to see the lyrics.