Marie Havenga is a veteran journalist of more than 30 years. The Grand Rapids native launched her journalism career at age 15, writing for WorkWeek, a weekly business magazine. She joined the Grand Haven Tribune staff as a columnist and reporter in 2003, after writing for the Grand Rapids Press for more than two decades. A boating and water enthusiast, she lives on the shores of Spring Lake. Havenga has published an environmental children's book and her writing has been featured in several national publications.
David Stults developed popcorn lung after exposure to dangerous food chemicals. He's now hitting the school circuit to teach students the dangers of vaping similar substances.
Hockey player and taxidermist Chad Kious envisions his return to the ice after having a unique surgery to remove the blood clot in his brain.
Becky Powers tried for five years to get pregnant. She finally did, but the swine flu nearly killed her and her unborn baby.
Through pregnancy, an emergency C-section, pediatric appointments and a broken bone, MyChart has been a trusted companion for this family.
When stomachaches turned out to be the worst form of pancreatic cancer, Tricia Johnson found hope in a targeted clinical trial treatment.
Jeremy VerVeer suffered his first heart attack at age 25. He then survived three more by age 38.
Most babies with trisomy 18 never make it to birth. Those who do typically die shortly thereafter. This toddler is blasting the odds.
Talk about kid-friendly surgery: Children watch live feeds from zoos and aquariums while in the operating room.
Following a brain cancer diagnosis, Polly Spence's family moved her from Florida to Michigan for surgery and rehabilitation.
Paralyzed by Guillain-Barré syndrome, Rich Toole found his way back to mobility through intense physical therapy and unyielding positivity.
Merritt Smith experienced seizures and missed developmental milestones. Genetic testing revealed the cause—a missing chunk of a chromosome.
A motorcycle crash left Tom Weaver paralyzed from the waist down. That hasn't stopped him from moving on in life—and fighting for greater wheelchair accessibility.
