October 2024 Newsletter
Swifter, Higher, Stronger Together.
Our theme for 2024 is the Olympics!
The motto for the Olympics is “Swifter, Higher, Stronger Together”.
We are a local nonprofit. We can react quickly to meet the needs of our Families.
We aim to provide meaningful support and increase what is provided year after year.
The C.U.R.E. Family is stronger together - working with our Community to meet our Families’ needs and provide love and assistance where they are most needed.
The most important thing with the Olympics is to participate. It’s not necessarily the triumph, but the willingness and strive to work hard together!
Happy Anniversary, Tameka!
Please join us in wishing Tameka, our Bookkeeper and Office Admin, a very happy 2 year Anniversary! Her kind, caring heart is such a wonderful addition to our Team and we are thrilled to have her with us. Thank you for sharing your light with all of us!
C.U.R.E. Update…
The third quarter of 2024 was devastating to C.U.R.E. for so many reasons. We lost four children in the span of two and a half weeks. We had nearly double the amount of children diagnosed in the 3rd Quarter than the 2nd Quarter. C.U.R.E. was able to continue to provide meaningful support thanks to the kindness in our Community. In addition to the stats to the right, we:
- Hosted 1 Parents’ Night Out and 3 Family outings
- Sent 100 Birthday cards with a free ice cream coupon
- Provided over $5,000 in Emergency Financial Assistance
- Purchased a bed, mattress cover, bed rail and mattress for a C.U.R.E. Kiddo
- Celebrated 4 End of Chemo Bell Ringings
We are so grateful to our Community. THANK YOU for giving us the tools we need to be able to meaningfully support our Families and provide love and comfort during their difficult times. We are so excited for all the new things we have coming up and appreciate being able to meet the needs of our Families as they arise.
We sure were busy in September!
Spotlight on: Christopher
Meet our Friend, Christopher.
Christopher was diagnosed with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in April 2024. This sarcoma was found on his scalp during a cyst removal. He underwent two back to back surgeries for removal and reconstruction. Christopher is in high school, enjoys playing football and is working towards his Eagle rank in Scouting.
Join our Team!
We are looking for interested candidates to join our C.U.R.E. Staff! The Part-Time Parent Advocate position would be working with our current Parent Advocate, Michelle, to ensure our Families are connected to resources and are supported. The position must be filled by the parent of a Long-Term Survivor.
Click here to review the full job description.
Please send your cover letter and resume to Holly. Click the button below to email your documents!
Hey, C.U.R.E. Parents:
Did you know we have a private Facebook Group JUST for you? Connect with other parents. Ask questions about treatment, education help and more. Learn from others.
Contact us to learn more!
Parents’ Night Out Pedal Tour New Date!
C.U.R.E. Parents are welcome to sign up for the new date for our Pedal Tour on Wednesday, October 16th. Watch for sign up info coming soon in the Facebook closed parent group and Program emails.
Any questions please call Carol at the office at 585-473-0180 or email carol.austin@curekidscancer.com
C.U.R.E. Parents’ Night Out
C.U.R.E. Parents are welcome to sign up for a spooktacular night out.
Two Parents’ Night Out events in October!!
The VerHulst Haunted Hayride sign ups will be coming soon in the Facebook closed parent group and Program emails.
Any questions please call Carol at the office at 585-473-0180 or email carol.austin@curekidscancer.com
November Parents’ Night Out at the Skycoasters Turkey Bash
The Turkey Bash sign ups will be coming soon in the Facebook closed parent group and Program emails.
Any questions please call Carol at the office at 585-473-0180 or email carol.austin@curekidscancer.com
Thank you, Catching Dreams Fishing Charters!
Our C.U.R.E. Kids are kicking off nice weather season with some fishing! We are so grateful to Captain Ned and his team at Catching Dreams Charters, Inc. Thank you for treating our Kiddos to some fun on the water and teaching them about fishing. It can be so therapeutic and we are grateful for your compassion for our Kids. Thank you for letting us be a part of your program!
Jeffrey Charles Sewell Memorial Scholarship
Along with their children, Ed and Nancy Sewell established the Jeffrey Charles Sewell Memorial Scholarship in memory of their son (and brother) in 2022. Ed and Nancy joined us from Connecticut for our Annual Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch. When they were in town, they were able to meet up with one of the two scholarship recipients for lunch! It was a lovely afternoon of conversation and sharing about everyone’s experience with childhood cancer and future plans.
Stay tuned to upcoming newsletters to learn about applying for the 2025 Jeffrey Charles Sewell Memorial Scholarship.
Resources:
Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship and Employment Resources:
Children's Cancer Cause is assisting childhood cancer patients, survivors and families by centralizing most national resources that provide scholarships for survivors of childhood cancer or those with particular effects. The site also has resources and advice relating to employment and applying for these scholarships.
Some opportunities require commitment to a childhood cancer advocacy project while in college, while others make you eligible for you just being you. But you do need to apply! Be sure to read the instructions and qualifications very carefully. Apply in plenty of time to get feedback from family, guidance counselors and others.
Cancer for College has provided need-based scholarships to cancer survivors since 1993.
The scholarship application period is November 1 – January 31 each year. Starting November 1, 2024, they’re accepting applications for the 2025-’26 school year.
To learn more, please click the link below or contact CFC at applications@cancerforcollege.org.
YOU can help C.U.R.E. for FREE
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/curekidscancerrochester
Instagram: @curekidscancer_
Twitter: @curekidscancer_
TikTok: @curekidscancer_Write a review about C.U.R.E. on our Facebook Page or on Google.
Write a blog that can be shared on our website.
Contact our Parent Advocate Michelle about doing an Instagram Takeover.
“Like”, Share or Comment on our social media posts.
Camp Double H
Fall Programs
Camp Comfort
September 27-29, 2024
General Family Weekend #1
October 4-6, 2024
Camp Bravehearts
October 11-14, 2024
Neuromuscular Family Weekend
October 18-20, 2024
General Family Weekend #2
October 25-27, 2024
Research & Advocacy:
Conquer Cancer in Kids:
make childhood cancer research a priority:
We invite our families and supporters to join CNN’s Rene Marsh as she advocates to make childhood cancer research a priority! Sadly, Rene lost her two year old son, Blake, to brain cancer in April 2021. She is now working with CNN and childhood cancer awareness advocates to make a difference!
To review and sign the petition, click the button below.
Petition to the Biden Administration to increase funding for childhood cancer research. This effort was started through awareness from The Ellen Show.
81,091 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 7/25/2024)
Learn more about Bill A6430B
Creates the Sickle Cell Disease detection and education program
Sponsored by Hyndman
Bereavement Group
October Bereavement Group will be Wednesday, October 2, 2024
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the C.U.R.E. offices at 200 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY
No RSVP required, but if you have any questions, please reach out to our Bereaved Family Advocate, Diane (diane.valentine@curekidscancer.com)
Thank you, Perri’s Pizzeria!
A HUGE thank you to Perri’s Pizzeria for sponsoring our September Bereavement Group at the
Rochester Red Wings game on September 18th. You helped to make that night special for our Families and we are beyond grateful!
The weather could not have been better, and the Red Wings won!
Did you know? For children who have experienced the death of a sibling from childhood cancer, SuperSibs offers additional mailings through the Grief and Loss Mailing Program.
This program includes...
💛 Grief support and resources specifically for parents
💛 4 mailings per year for two years with activities designed to help SuperSibs to cope with their grief and feelings
💛 A special remembrance on the anniversary of their sibling’s passing
Learn more about this free program for siblings:
Click Here To Check it Out
We are filled with love & gratitude after the amazing turnout for our Recipe For A C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch presented by West Herr Cares! Your generous support has made a significant impact on local families and we couldn't be more grateful.
A heartfelt thank you to our emcee, Bo Jaxon, for bringing his vibrant energy and charm to the event! We extend our deepest appreciation to our presenting sponsor, West Herr Cares, for their unwavering commitment to our mission. A special shoutout to the talented ACF Chefs, whose delicious dishes delighted our guests and made the day truly special!
We are also immensely grateful to our dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Your hard work and kindness made this event possible. To all our guests, thank you for joining us and for your continued support. Together, we are making a difference!
Save the date for next year: Sunday, September 28th at Arbor at the Port!
Cat: Our Virtual Auction Superhero
As a small Staff, we absolutely could not do the work we do without the help and love from our Volunteers. Cat, our Virtual Auction Superhero and Queen, has once again done an absolutely outstanding job with our Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch event. Cat works so meticulously on curating the BEST items for our Friends to bid on. We 10000% could NOT put this event together without her extremely hard work. To say that we are grateful for her is a complete understatement. Cat, you are wonder woman. We are so thankful that you have chosen to share your organization and persuasive talents with C.U.R.E., and ultimately, our Families. Another beautiful job well done. Thank you.
You’re SUBsational!
Thank you, Jersey Mike’s, for keeping our volunteers fueled! We are so grateful for the kindness of Jersey Mike’s for donating subs for our volunteers at our annual Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch! They helped us make sure our Friends at the event were fed and ready to go! Thank you for all you do for our Community, especially our organization!
Thank you, Denis & Kathleen!
Denis and Kathleen are helping us get a head start on holiday gifts! They stopped by last month to drop off a bin full of toys, Lego sets and arts & crafts for our kiddos. They also had a ton of STEM related toys that are perfect for all ages. Thank you for thinking of our Families and helping to bring smiles to a lot of kids’ faces!
Thanks for NOT getting lost!
We are so grateful to Nicole and her Family who helped to coordinate the 3rd Annual “Get Lost in the Middle of Nowhere” Poker Run with The Birdsall Inn. They had an incredible showing of 333 vehicles and 615 people!! An amazing $16,000 was raised through their efforts with $8,000 being donated to C.U.R.E. and $8,000 being donated to 13Thirty Cancer Connect. We couldn’t be more humbled to be a part of this.
Save the date for next year: August 23, 2025!
Prost! Thank You Lucas & his cousins!
Lucas and his cousins made bracelets to help raise funds for C.U.R.E.! They sold their bracelets at Three Heads Brewing during Oktoberfest. Not only did they raise funds for C.U.R.E., but they also raised awareness for childhood cancer! Thank you to Lucas & his cousins for their support and letting others know about C.U.R.E.!
Casual Dress Day, Hooray!
A huge thank you to the Paychex Risk Team who, once again, teamed up to raise money for childhood cancer awareness month. We were honored to receive half of the proceeds generated, splitting the other half with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital! Janine and her coworkers did a wonderful job raising awareness and funds! Thank you for your kindness, advocacy and support. Because of you, we can continue to provide meaningful support to our Families!
Thank you, Henrietta Professional Firefighters and Dispatchers IAFF Local 3738
Thank you to our Friends who took part in a clean up day at our office! They cleaned windows (it’s amazing how well we can see out them now!) and did some clean up and maintenance of the Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden. These are all things that have been on our wish “to do” list, but we haven’t had the capacity to do. Thank you so much for letting C.U.R.E. be part of your September service work and, most importantly, thank you for the care you take of our Community!
The Greatest Charity Workout was GREAT!
We are so grateful to Mike for leading The Greatest Charity Workout on September 28th! The crew of amazing participants raised nearly $600 for C.U.R.E.! It was such an upbeat and fun workout. Mike’s goal is to host a charity workout each month at ROC Strong Club, so be sure to check him out and attend a future workout if you can. We appreciate the kindness of everyone who came out to the C.U.R.E. Charity Workout on a Saturday morning to let local Families know they’re not alone in their battles!
In Honor of Mark Dillon…
We are so grateful to have received proceeds from the annual Mark Dillon Memorial Golf Tournament that took place over the summer. The Dillon Family and Friends gather annually to remember Mark and play golf. What’s really special is that the family comes together from all across the U.S. to honor Mark’s memory. We are truly touched to be included in Mark’s legacy and appreciate so much that the Dillon Family continues to keep their C.U.R.E. Family and the Families we provide support to in their hearts.
Thank you so very much to everyone involved!
Please give a hand for our Volunteer of the Month….
Jenilee Visconte
At so many of our events, Jenilee is the very first volunteer to arrive and oftentimes the last volunteer to leave. Jenilee is so dedicated to our C.U.R.E. Families. Whether it is loading or unloading trucks for the Survivors’ Day Celebration or Holiday Party or working at registration at our Brunch, Jenilee takes ownership over everything she does with us. Have you seen the flamingos traveling around town in an effort to raise awareness in September of childhood cancer? Jenilee and her thoughtful, caring children (Ella, Russell and Maryanna) have been helping our flamboyances migrate.
Visconte Family, we are so grateful for your constant kindness and willingness to help us. Jenilee, your big heart is being inherited by your children. You’re setting such a beautiful example for them. Thank you for caring so deeply about our Families.
Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden Volunteer Opportunities:
Our Garden needs love this time of year and we would appreciate your help! Sign up for a week and come any day that week. Duties include weeding, pruning and cleaning around our special bricks.
Join our Board of Directors!
We have some Board positions opening in the very near future! Interested in applying?
The Board meets monthly for 1.5 - 2 hours (Currently the third Wednesday evening of the month from 5:30 - 7:30)
Board members must attend two of the three main fundraisers (5k & Fun Walk, Golf Tournament, Brunch)
Board members are on at least one sub-committee
Board members make a monetary donation for the Board sponsored Live Auction package for the Brunch
Applications can be emailed to:
cureboardapplications@gmail.com
We want to connect!
If you served on the Board of Directors for C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association, we would love to stay connected! Please email Holly Dutcher to connect!
holly.dutcher@curekidscancer.com
4th annual Hopson 5K- Give Cancer the Bird.
Run, Walk or Soar at the Hopson 5k! Located in the Hamlet of Honeoye, you will experience beautiful fall foliage throughout the entire course without the dangers of vehicle traffic.
Post race event at Birdhouse Brewery includes live music, a complementary pint of Birdhouse beer and a good time with friends and family!
This year, the Hopson 5k has chosen C.U.R.E. as their beneficiary and we are so honored!
Shopping for a Cause
Get your holiday shopping done and support local small business owners! There will be several local vendors with handmade items as well as other items for sale!
Sunday, November 17th from 10 AM - 3 PM
Italian American Community Center
33rd Annual Race With Grace 5k & 10k
Join us again this Thanksgiving morning for the annual Race with Grace 5k or 10k! New this year, the 10k race is recognized as one of the races in the Rochester Runner of the Year series. All proceeds, once race expenses are deducted, go to support C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.
Date: Thursday, November 28th
Time: 8:30 am
Location: Lakeshore Community Church
Qualified Charitable Distributions:
To transfer funds from your IRA to C.U.R.E., please follow these step-by-step instructions:
(1) Contact your financial advisor or representative at the financial institution that holds your IRA.
(2) Tell your representative that you wish to make a QCD from your IRA to C.U.R.E.
(3) Request a check made payable to “C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association” and indicate that it is a “qualified charitable distribution from the account of (your name).
(4) For wire transfers, contact request transfer instruction from C.U.R.E.
(5) Tax ID information: C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association Federal Tax ID: 51-0215037
(6) Please contact C.U.R.E. and let us know to expect a payment.
Please note that the maximum QCD is $100,000 per year per person, with married couples with separate IRAs eligible to give up to $200,000 per year. Transfers to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, private foundations, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities do not qualify. The transfer is tax-free and is not included in your adjusted gross income (AGI), thus there is no charitable deduction. A transfer is not subject to AGI limitations on charitable deductions. C.U.R.E. recommends you consult with your estate attorney and/or financial advisor prior to requesting a QCD to C.U.R.E.
Become a C.U.R.E. Ambassador!
The Support Doesn’t Stop When Treatment Stops…
Because of YOU and your kindness.
Support our mission year-round by becoming a C.U.R.E. Ambassador! A C.U.R.E. Ambassador is a donor who commits to our mission through a monthly donation of his/her choosing. Whatever level you are comfortable with makes a difference!
Embrace the Difference
Did you know that we partner with Reeds Jewelers on their Embrace the Difference campaign? With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduations coming up, we hope you’ll consider grabbing a gift from Reeds Jewelers Embrace the Difference Collection and make a difference to our Families (all while giving a beautiful gift!).
Round Up for C.U.R.E.!
We are thrilled to share that we are now part of the Walmart Spark Good program! You can select “C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association” as your charity of choice and round up your purchases! The rounded up change will be donated to C.U.R.E.!
STEP 1: Visit walmart.com/sparkgood and sign in to your Walmart.com account.
STEP 2: Search for a favorite charity.
STEP 3: Once you choose a charity, go to the Round Up box and click "Select this Charity"
STEP 4: Review the FAQs and the Terms of Use.
C.U.R.E. Partners:
You can now return your cans and bottles to Alpco Recycling and Bottle & Can Retrieval Centers! Let them know you’d like to support “C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association” and a donation will be made to us!
Alpco Recycling is located at:
846 Macedon Center Road, Macedon, NY 14502
Bottle & Can Retrieval Centers located at:
509 Spencerport Rd, Rochester
2199 East Henrietta Rd, Rochester
2374 Chili Ave, Rochester
More ways to help:
Hailey and her Family have been saving aluminum can tabs for C.U.R.E. for many years now. The photo is Hailey standing in an oil drum of tabs surrounded by 14 oil drums FILLED with can tabs! They bring the drums to the scrap yard and then donate the proceeds to C.U.R.E. Those proceeds are then applied to the cost of parking vouchers for our Families.
You can bring your can tabs to our office at 200 Westfall Road, 14620 during business hours and we will collect them for Hailey and her Family.
We hope you think of Hailey and her program while you are at family gatherings, picnics and other fun summer activities this summer that may include aluminum cans!
Rock C.U.R.E. Elite Sport Socks!
These super comfortable and supportive sport socks are HERE! What a great way to show support for C.U.R.E. and small businesses, they are made in the USA! Rock them while you are working from home or out exercising. Sandal season is over, rock these cozy socks today!
C.U.R.E. has joined the PayPal Giving Fund. Please consider adding us to your account to Shop, Donate and Raise Awareness for our families.
PayPal Giving Fund expands our fundraising reach through direct integration with PayPal, eBay and GoFundMe.
We are so grateful to the community for all of the wonderful donations we receive throughout the year. We could not service all the families we do without this generous support. If you or a community group you belong to is looking for something to do for a charity, please consider donating items from C.U.R.E.’s wish list so that we can continue to provide for our families:
A cure for childhood cancer, blood diseases and brain tumors!
- SQUISHMALLOWS! ALL SIZES! The kids love them!
- Journals for Kids and Teens
- Gift cards for Wegmans, Tops, Wal-Mart, Target and gas cards
- Gift cards for GrubHub, McDonalds, Wendy’s, Burger King, Moe’s, Chipotle, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks
- Crafts for young adults and children
- Items for teens or young adults
- Toys (Please look at our Amazon Wish Lists:
Under $20: https://a.co/hlW4hCO
$20 - 50: https://a.co/eHiQcV2
$50+: https://a.co/bVDujCy)
We ask that all items be new and recently purchased. Thank you!