Former Detroit TV and radio personality Kim Adams has been named fundraising and development executive at New Day Foundation for Families, a Rochester Hills-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing the financial and emotional stress caused by cancer.
“It is an honor to welcome Kim Adams to the staff of New Day Foundation for Families,” says Gina Kell Spehn, co-founder and president. “Her work on behalf of women’s issues in the community is extensive, and her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor and fundraising advocate for nonprofits make her the perfect fit for our organization.”
Adams, the first female meteorologist in Detroit TV ranks, lost her position at 98.7 The Breeze due to a formatting change in November. She has used the time since to support New Day’s work, now taking on a formal position. As a breast cancer survivor and single mom of five, she says she is excited to help families through the foundation.
“As a cancer patient who didn’t accept help when I should have, now I have a chance to tell people to get some help — you’ll heal faster,” says Adams. “There is no shame and no judgment in receiving financial help when you most need it.”
Adams has experience with nonprofits, as her first move after losing her job was to start a charity to provide food for those in need on Christmas Day. She and WDIV’s Paula Tutman used their networks and reach to raise $30,000 in one week.
In her development role, Adams will host a new series of free, online conversations with experts beginning later this month that will focus on themes such as including self-care in times of crisis, successful caregiving, overcoming financial toxicity, money management, and navigating the legal system during a major illness.
She will also create a video support library that patients undergoing cancer treatment and caretakers can access online. Adams is the owner and CEO of Kim Adams Productions LLC, which has produced commercials for the DMC and profiles for businesses in the past.
“You can give people literature but when you’re in treatment, you can barely keep your eyes open, you can’t read,” says Adams. “I think it helps to hear people and see them talking. The virtual workshops and online library will make it easier for patients and caregivers to have video to turn to for support.”
