Linda Lamb, RN, CCM
I had the privilege of attending a conference (in Scottsdale AZ) and listening to a keynote presentation given by Kelly Grosklags. Within the first minute of her talk she had the entire audience mesmerized. To use an old saying, “you could have heard a pin drop”, accurately describes the engagement she had with all of us. I sincerely and honestly felt as if she was talking directly to me even though there were at least a hundred attendees in the audience. With her sensitive and caring words she addressed issues that I have experienced during my nursing career. With the death of each patient came the feeling of loss and grief. We were expected to “deal with it” and get on with our duties. It was always treated as just “part of the job”. Listening to Kelly I felt she truly understood, supported and offered emotional help with her knowledge, caring and sincerity. I’ve attended dozens of conferences throughout my career and rarely do I ever make a note next to a speaker’s name with the word fantastic! That describes her presentation perfectly. I hope I’ll have an opportunity to attend another presentation by Ms. Grosklags.
Kelli Larson
“Heartfelt and authentic. Kelly is an amazingly strong human. Her journey, mission, teaching, and innate ability to empower others is deeply appreciated and respected in the community. She captures and retains the attention of every audience member because of her natural ability to relate to and comfort all humans. Perhaps in her honesty in addressing life’s most difficult topics, she secures the trust of the most broken individual and inspires them to retain hope for healing.”
Julie C
“Kelly! You speak my language! I am just blown away by your posts! My dad is so close to death and I have had the privilege of facing my own fears to talk with him about this experience. Even in his seemingly unresponsive state, he is teaching me about dying. I just meet you, I am passionate about this end of life experience and learning from it. I just cannot believe how your words are my experience too. It is beautiful and painful all at once. Thank you for your poignant posts and for breathing joy into me when my heart feels torn to pieces. The experience of surrendering is absolutely magnificent.”
Conference Attendee
“I like the caliber of information and the connection between attendees and presenters. I always love seeing Kelly Grosklags! I would love a breakout session with Kelly for MBC patients in addition to any keynote. I find Saturday with the priority of info generally more helpful than Sunday, although I stayed particularly to hear Kelly. Kelly is lovely!”
Catherine Ormerod, MSS, MLSP
“Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a national education and support organization, was introduced to Kelly Grosklags by a volunteer living with metastatic breast cancer and the uncertainties that accompany this diagnosis. Kelly, she told us, had provided her with innumerable ways to live, grieve and even thrive with the disease. We are forever grateful for the introduction. Kelly has become part of our team of outstanding healthcare professionals who are able to communicate and connect with members of our community, each of whom faces a diagnosis that shifts the ground from under their feet. We call on Kelly to address people at our national conferences, provide workshops on grief and loss, write blogs and speak in our webinars. She is a source of wisdom and comfort for many and we are grateful to extend her reach to those who are seeking ways to navigate illness, treatment and their own mortality.”
Mary Beth Potter, RN, CHPN, CHPCA
“Kelly Grosklags was magic! She was a dynamic, engaging, and compassionate presenter for our Share the Spirit Educational Retreat. Her material truly resonated with the audience of hospice providers, volunteers and professionals. She received some of the best evaluations ever in our 30 years of hosting this event. Many participants requested to have her return and we have engaged her for another upcoming Educational Retreat. Kelly was so easy to work with and her ability to connect with the audience is amazing. Her presentation style was interactive and contained just the right amount of heart and humor. I would highly recommend Kelly for your next event!”
Linda Tantawi
“Kelly returned to the Komen NYC 2019 New York Metastatic Breast Cancer Conference at the request of the 2018 participants. Kelly is so warm, thoughtful and insightful. Patients and caregivers feel comforted by her presence and enriched, enlightened and safe just from listening to her talks. Kelly is a force of nature while radiating goodness.”
Sarah Johnson, LICSW
“Kelly has spoken at our Pancreatic Cancer Support Group for the past 3 years and not only has she brought a wealth of knowledge and information, but she creates a comforting, reassuring, and understanding environment. She offers great insight and reflection into the many feelings people experience, such as fear, worry, grief, and living with uncertainties. Her sincere and genuine demeanor not only help people feel comfortable but it also creates a therapeutic, safe place for individuals to be vulnerable and share their stories.”
Jill R. May, RN BSN, OCN
“I have worked in oncology for 30 years. Meeting Kelly and becoming a part of the CWK family has been life changing for me as a professional as well as personally. I have found through Kelly and CWK a sacred space to learn to be at peace with my grief now allowing it to hold a very different place in my life. Thank you Kelly truly from the bottom of my heart for what you do.”
“This is not the life I wanted but I’ll do anything to keep it.”
-Kate, a patient, shares the credo
that has become the premise for all of Kelly’s healing work.