August 2022 Newsletter
C.U.R.E. is here.
From the day of diagnosis, throughout treatment and beyond:
The support doesn’t stop when the treatment stops.
And we are so thankful for our Friends who make our support possible.
September is Awareness Month!
Did you know we have an ENTIRE page dedicated to Awareness Month? It will list all of the Proclamations, businesses going gold, Liquid Gold Challenge participants, ways to raise awareness and MORE!
We’ll miss you, Emily…
Throughout my time here at C.U.R.E. this summer, I learned so much more than I could have ever imagined. In the beginning, I was nervous. I was entering a new environment, starting a brand new experience at a place that helps hundreds of local families and I had no idea what to expect. However, as soon as I opened the door to the C.U.R.E. office, I was welcomed with open arms. I have never entered a work experience and felt so comfortable as fast as I did when I came here to C.U.R.E. I think that alone tells you a lot about the staff here at C.U.R.E. Being a part of a C.U.R.E. family myself as a child, I knew that it had to take some amazing people to do all that C.U.R.E. does. This experience allowed me to see first hand just how amazing C.U.R.E. staff, board, volunteers, and families truly are. I am honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of something that means so much to me and made such a great impact on my childhood, and to have helped create the same impact on other children’s lives as well. Thank you to everyone involved in C.U.R.E. who made my time here so special. I can not wait to see and experience all the amazing things that C.U.R.E. and C.U.R.E. families will continue to do.
Spotlight on: McKenzie
Meet our friend, McKenzie.
McKenzie was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April 2022. She will be turning 4 years old on August 1. She will be in Kindergarten a year from September and is excited to ride a school bus.
She loves to do crafts, especially if it involves scissors and glue, and cooking food in her play kitchen. She loves to draw rainbows and if you ask her what her favorite color is, the answer will always be blue. She also enjoys all things outside including sledding, riding her bicycle or four wheeler, swimming or helping mom and dad in the garden. Her favorite foods are cheese with crackers and tacos. McKenzie is a very loving and caring big sister to her brother Patrick. Anyone who knows her would describe her as sweet, smart, silly and sometimes sassy.
A HUGE congratulations to our Friend, Ryker, for finishing treatment! He recently came to our office to celebrate by ringing the End of Chemo bell and adding his handprint to our "Handprints of Hope" Wall!
Family Fun Day @ Creative Themes
Join C.U.R.E., Catching Dreams and Creative Themes for a day of family fun on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at 325 Eaglehead Road in East Rochester from 11:30-2:30. There will be pizza, drinks, fun, and games for the whole family. Enjoy a few hours of fishing, kayaking, and all around fun at the Creative Themes site. We have enough room for 25 families to include immediate household members only. Sign up today with Carol via email or phone. A fun day of play for everyone!
To learn more about Creative Themes, visit their website: https://cthemes.net/
August Parents’ Night Out
On Wednesday, August 10, 2022 from 4-5:30 pm, enjoy an authentic Erie Canal experience aboard the Sam Patch tour boat located at 12 Schoen Place in Pittsford. This trip will be relaxing, educational, and give those attending a chance to socialize and enjoy some time on the water. Also, an opportunity to meet the new Program Coordinator, Carol Austin, if you have not had the chance to yet. Please call Carol at 585-473-0180 or RSVP Here to reserve your spot. Anchors aweigh!
Free Filled Backpacks for C.U.R.E. Families
It’s almost back to school time. We have backpacks filled with school supplies for our C.U.R.E. kids. We have a few adaptive backpacks as well. If you would like one for this upcoming school year, please let Carol know by calling the office at 585-473-0180 or Click Here to Reserve a back pack
Virtual Meeting with the FDA
Board Member and Childhood Cancer Survivor, Jacob Adams, will be a panelist in this discussion!
September 15, 2022 from 10 AM - 3 PM
Catching Dreams
Catching Dreams Charters, Inc. hosts private fishing charters near Buffalo on Lake Erie or the Niagara River for pediatric oncology or hematology children.
We have connected with Ned, the Founder of this organization, and would love to connect our C.U.R.E. Kids to Ned and schedule some fishing charters! Charters are scheduled for during the week from mid-May through Labor Day and leave from the Buffalo Harbor or near the Niagara River.
Please reach out to Carol Austin if you are interested in a private fishing charter.
Any Teens with Sickle Cell Interested…
Dr. Noronha is trying to gauge interest from local teens with Sickle Cell Disease around having Zoom Meet Ups this summer. If you (or your child) is 13 years old - 17 years old and interested, please contact Dr. Noronha.
Donate Blood or Platelets!
Many of our children depend on blood transfusions and blood products in the course of their treatment. Our children are in need of blood products and you can help! Please consider donating blood if you are well enough to.
YOU can help C.U.R.E. for FREE
1) Follow us on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/curekidscancerrochester
Instagram: @curekidscancer
Twitter: @curekidscancer_
(2) Write a review about C.U.R.E. on our Facebook Page or on Google.
(3) Write a blog that can be shared on our website.
(4) Contact our Parent Advocate Michelle about doing a Facebook Live or Instagram Takeover.
(5) “Like”, Share or Comment on our social media posts.
Conquer Cancer in Kids:
make childhood cancer research a priority:
UPDATE: THE PETITION IS JUST SHY OF BEING ONE OF THE MOST SIGNED PETITIONS ON CHANGE.ORG. THE GOAL IS 15,000 SIGNATURES AND AS OF 6/20/2022, THERE ARE 14,730 SIGNATURES!
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.
77,892 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 6/20/2022)
Petition to increase funding of Childhood Cancer Research funds from the National Institute of Health from 4% to 8%.
124,890 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 6/20/2022)
GRYT Health connects patients and caregivers to others with shared experience and to information relevant to their journey.
Through the GRYT app, we’ve created a platform for people affected by cancer to connect to others with similar experiences, and to tailored information that helps our users become more aware of options specific to their needs or diagnosis – empowering them to make choices that are right for them.
Our community of patients, survivors, medical professionals, researchers and advocates across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 100 countries worldwide have participated in almost 1,000,000 interactions to date, inspiring people to live according to their own standards.
Trust from our community is paramount to our success and something we take very seriously. We never share any of our users’ information without their explicit permission. Unlike other apps, GRYT is the first social community that is funded, built, and run by patients and caregivers where users communicate anonymously in real-time and each person is 100% in charge of what happens with their data.
Thank you to all who made our 7th Annual Patrick Carr Memorial Golf Tournament such a success! It may have rained a little (well…a lot, but only until 10:30 or so!!), but we still had a fantastic time! We were overwhelmed with gratitude as we watched all our participants play with smiles on their faces and kindness in their hearts. Thank you to our Partners, our Participants and our Hosts for raising awareness and funds in memory of Patrick Carr. Your commitment to our Families was sunshine we needed!
C.U.R.E. Families enjoyed a special evening with the RNY FC soccer team. Special thanks goes out to Coach Bruno and his players and staff for making this a fun-filled night for everyone!
Buddy’s Angels
We are so grateful for the help of Buddy’s Angels: Deb, Barb & Bill. They helped us out tremendously with our garden and sure have some green thumbs! They helped us thin out our lilies and replant them in more appropriate areas of the Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden.
They are also coming back in the Fall to share their garden knowledge and help us prepare the Garden for winter.
Thank you for being so kind to us and honoring our Chidlren!
Thank you, Dawson Knox
A couple of our C.U.R.E. Kiddos got to enjoy Football Procamp with Dawson Knox. We are so thankful for their kindness and giving a couple of our Kids the opportunity to have a fun day!
Thank you Sam, Cat & Jennie!
Our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden has been tended to so lovingly by our Volunteers this year. We are so thankful for Sam, Cat and Jennie. Not only have they been weeding our Garden, they also sanded and put a fresh coat of stain on our fence!
Thank you for keeping everything looking so great! We appreciate you!
Baskets Needed!
While Cat has been working her tail off as a volunteer gathering items for our Silent Auction, we could still use YOUR help!
Gather a group of Friends and put together a package for our Silent Auction (it also works as a GREAT team building activity for work!). And, honestly, it’s never been easier. Think of a theme, create a shopping list on Amazon Smile & share with your Friends or Co-Workers! Even better: Support Local Business and put together a package highlighting some of your favorite local establishments!
Does a whole basket seem daunting? We will gladly accept donations of alcohol (wine, spirits or specialty beer) to pair with items we have already collected.
All donations should be delivered to the C.U.R.E. Office no later than September 9th. Need us to pick up your item(s)? No problem! Email Holly and we’ll coordinate!
Please consider honoring our Little Angels through tending to our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden. Named in memory of Julie Roberts, our garden memorializes our Friends we have lost too soon. A brick walkway in front of our building is adorned with the names of our angels.
Tending to the garden includes weeding, pruning and watering. Sign up for a week below. You can come any day or time during that week.
September is Awareness Month
We are hoping to make Awareness Month even BIGGER this year and could use some help! With fun things like
- Flocking Yards with Golden Flamingos
- Liquid Gold Mac & Cheese Challenge
- Proclamations from local towns and the City
- Partners donating a portion of proceeds to C.U.R.E.
- (Insert YOUR creative idea here!)
We have a LOT going on.
Want to help?
Email Holly!
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)
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
Girl Scout Patch..
Friends of Faith Pruden offered the opportunity for Girl Scout troops to spread awareness for childhood cancer and offered this badge to the Girl Scout troops.
This will be repeated again this year and there will be patches available.
Email to request information about the Girl Scout patch:
GoldRibbonAwareness@gmail.com
Link to their Facebook page:
https://facebook.com/FaithPrudenFoundation/
Heroes Honoring Heroes
Neil and Diane Valentine have been working hard with the team at Heroes Brewing Company to create a custom, one-of-a-kind brew to honor the Nurses on 7 North at Golisano Children’s Hospital and the memory of their son, Evan. Several weeks ago, Heroes started brewing a beer to honor Evan and 7 North! Neil and Diane asked the nurses to select the charity for the donation and they chose C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association (Awww, thanks, Guys!!)
Please join us for the release party on Wednesday, August 3rd from 6 - 8 p.m. at Heroes Brewing Company, 543 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month T-Shirts!
We have partnered with Bonfire for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! The back is customizable: add your Pediatric Cancer Warrior’s name! Campaigns can start ASAP and your crew can order your gear now to have in hand in September. Campaigns will end by 9/15/2022. A portion of the sale from each shirt will be donated to C.U.R.E. to further our mission of supporting local families facing BIG battles!
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Lawn Signs
Don’t Be Late!
Don’t Be Late for this VERY important date!
Our Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch is BACK and we are thrilled! Tickets will be L-I-M-I-T-E-D, so if you want to join us in person at Arbor at the Port, you will want to JUMP on ticket purchasing as soon as possible (stay tuned for ticket sale date).
Cat Kwiecien has been working tirelessly on the Silent Auction portion of the event. GREAT NEWS: it will be available to EVERYONE (whether you are attending the event or not) via online auction again this year!
We have been working hard on some REALLY great Live Auction packages as well…there may or may not be some memorabilia signed by a really talented Buffalo Bills Quarterback….AND one of those impossible-to-get Playstation 5 consoles….AND a luxury igloo party at your home…and so much more…so just you wait.
Glass Slipper Gala
Presented by the Women’s Council of Realtors
Enjoy an evening you will never forget as our Real Estate Industry Professionals strut the runway in their best Heels. Hors d'ourves and 1 drink ticket is included in price of admission. Tickets are $65/each. Valet parking available for $5
Calendars of the models will be for sale for $20 to both attendees and those unable to join. All proceeds from the calendar sales will be donated to C.U.R.E.
Every Penny Matters.
Do you want to join forces with C.U.R.E. and participate in our Annual Penny Drive? We make it easy! We can decorate and deliver jugs for your to facilitate your collections. We will also pick up your donations. No change rolling or counting required! Contact our office if your school or business would like to participate!
It makes cents.
It’s back!
Race With Grace 3.0 is back and better than ever this year!
NEW LOCATION: Lakeshore Community Church (3651 Latta Road, 14612)
The entry fee includes a long-sleeved tech shirt. (The 1/4 Zip up can be upgraded at check out instead of the L/S T-Shirt) Sizes are guaranteed if you register prior to November 1, 2022. There will be plenty of food and refreshments, complete computerized race results available online, and race photos. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers in the Open, Masters (40+), Veterans (50+), and Seniors (60+) categories, as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finisher in each age group
C.U.R.E. Partners:
New Partner Alert:
CR Bottle Return is our newest partner! Bring your bottles to CR Bottle Return at 2750 Dewey Ave and tell them it’s for account 4052100 (C.U.R.E.) and your deposit will be donated to us! We will be given six cents for every bottle donated!
We are so thankful for this partnership! Check them out!
Glimpse of Gold's purpose is to encourage people to take the next step, even if childhood cancer is not directly affecting you or your family. Glimpse of Gold hopes to educate others on different ways to help, while encouraging people to think about the topic a little longer than they normally would.
Glimpse of Gold is so excited to be collaborating with C.U.R.E for the next few months! This collaboration involves providing monetary donations directly to C.U.R.E. At the minimum of a $20 donation to C.U.R.E., an embroidered beanie with the slogan “Only Sunshine Ahead” will be given to a child currently going through treatment at Golisano Children's Hospital (For example, if you donate $40 two beanies will be sent to two different children in bright and beautiful packaging to bring some light to their dark times). In return, the first 100 people that donate will receive a silicone wristband with the same slogan as the children’s beanies, stickers, and a thank you note! Please note that all shipping will be coming directly from Sydney Lewandowski and not C.U.R.E.
If you have any questions please contact Sydney Lewandowski. You can reach her on both Instagram and Facebook @glimpseofgold.roc or email her at glimpseofgold.roc@gmail.com
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:
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!
Click here to learn more.
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.
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you?
Simply follow the instructions below to select "C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
Bereavement Group
Bereavement Group occurs on the first Wednesday of every month.
This month, we will be hosting the Bereavement Meeting at Heroes Brewing Company (543 Atlantic Avenue). A specialty beer in memory of Evan Valentine and in honor of the 7 North Nurses was brewed. Please join the Valentine’s and other C.U.R.E. Bereaved Parents at this event from 6 PM - 8 PM.
For more information, please reach out to Michelle Magin.
michelle.magin@curekidscancer.com
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 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!
- Buffalo Bills items (hats, gloves, socks, etc.) for teen gifts
- Colored pencils/art pencils
- Universal phone chargers with long cords
- 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!
Get your C.U.R.E. Gear
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!