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Remembering Miya

Must family honors their daughter's memory by supporting Kadima.

The Must Family:
Britni, Joel,

Monnie, Kacee
and Sabrina, all
of Sylvan Lake

F

rom childhood, Miya Must struggled with bipolar disorder, a manic-depressive ill-
ness that affects millions of Americans. But there was so much more to the 28-year-
old who tragically took her own life in November 2007. She was a college graduate;
she pursued yoga and was married. Her suicide was the last thing her family expected.
"I never would have imagined I would be standing at a Kadima luncheon honoring my
daughter, Miya," said her mother, Monnie Must of Bloomfield
Hills. "But a year and a half [almost to the day] since her passing, I
am proud to be part of this organization?'
The Must family sponsored the annual Healthy Body, Healthy
Mind luncheon April 23 at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield
to benefit the Southfield-based Kadima mental health agency.
About 200 people attended the event held in Miya Must's memory.
"ivliya was all about helping people," her mom told the crowd.
"Essentially, by honoring her in this way, it keeps her present in
our lives. Her spirit and her voice are heard. She remains a part of
our daily lives. I'm grateful and my family is grateful to each of you
for helping keep her here."
The luncheon also featured two speakers: personal trainer

Laura Adler of West Bloomfield, co-
chair, and her mother, Anne Katz, of
Bloomfield Hills

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Lois Rubin of Farmington Hills and
Myrna Partrich of Bloomfield Hills

Jennifer Gray and surgeon, author and breast cancer specialist Dr. Pamela Benitez.
Topics included becoming proactive when it comes to your health, how to jump start your
exercise regime, and the risks and benefits of certain vitamins. Volunteering was another
big focus. Monnie Must urged people to give of their time as a way of giving back.
"These days, it's not as easy to just write a check. Organizations are struggling.
Volunteering takes some of the pressure off of paying staff members," Must said. "If you
have any inclination to want to volunteer, I'm sure your services would be welcome and
encouraged."
Spotted in the crowd were: Cheryl Kirsch, Nancy Powell, Barbara Nickel, Sarah Fink,
Charyl Apple, Caryn Gross and Mindy Ruben, all of West Bloomfield; Karen Schoenberg
and Jen Kroll, both of Birmingham; Debra Abramson of Orchard Lake; Ellen Sherman,
Anita Taylor and Phyllis Pilcowitz, all of Bloomfield Hills; and Eileen Bradley, Terri
Farber Roth and Beth Brandvain, all of Farmington Hills.

Kadima offers therapy, employment services, 21 residential homes and other
support for people living with mental illness. For more information, to volunteer
or make a donation, contact (248) 559-8235 or www.KadimaCenter.org .

Dede Feldman of Bloomfield Hills and
Gail Katz, Kadima president, of West
Bloomfield

Mindy Cherney of West Bloomfield and
Carolyn Marks of Farmington Hills