December 2023 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.
Spotlight on: Elliot
Meet our Friend, Elliot.
This is Elliot. He is just 6 years old and is in first grade, battling Astroblastoma in his spinal cord. Elliot enjoys watching the Buffalo Bills, dinosaurs, anything to do with Jurassic Park, painting & will do anything to be outside. Elliot’s favorite color is blue, his favorite place is at any ocean beach, searching for seashells, and swimming. He hopes to someday play soccer. Elliot is so brave, selfless, loving and always so happy and positive. He will do anything to make anyone laugh. He’s the most courageous boy we know!
TAG!
We had so much fun with our Parents at the November Parents’ Night Out activity at Lasertron in Henrietta! We had so much fun getting to know each other more and playing some intense laser tag!
More FUN Parents’ Night Out activities will be planned for our Parents in 2024. Stay tuned to our Closed Parent to Parent Facebook Group and our weekly programming emails for what’s coming up!
Hope to see you in January!
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!
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. Board Member, Jacob Adams, would be happy to help if given at least two weeks’ notice. Please contact the office for his e-mail address.
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.
Stay tuned…
The Jeffrey Charles Sewell Memorial Scholarship will be accepting applications in January. This is a $2,000 scholarship granted to a Childhood Cancer Survivor. A committee made up of the Sewell Family reviews every application essay and determines the winner(s) of the scholarship. Last year, the scholarship was received by Fiona and Sara.
Stay tuned for more information and start planning your essay now!
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 15,016 SIGNATURES AND AS OF 10/31/2023, THERE ARE 15,010 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.
81,014 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 10/31/2023)
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.
Learn more about Bill A6430B
Creates the Sickle Cell Disease detection and education program
Sponsored by Hyndman
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, 2023, they’re accepting applications for the 2024-’25 school year.
To learn more, please click the link below or contact CFC at applications@cancerforcollege.org.
THANK YOU, ROC Holiday Village!
We are so grateful to our Friends at the ROC Holiday Village who lovingly prepared a morning of fun for our Families! They opened an hour early so even our immune-compromised Kiddos could enjoy the crafts and all the Village has to offer safely. We appreciate being able to share the magic of the Holidays with our Families.
YOU ROC’d the Day!
Thank you to all of the ROCstar donors who participated in this year’s ROC the DAY event! With your help, we raised just over triple of what we did last year... woohooo!
Thank you for your continued support! You were the missing the piece to helping us Embrace Our Families.
Thank you, Friends!
Thank you so much to our Friends who purchased sheets this year through Peach Skin Sheets. Not only are you (or a loved one) sleeping on the coziest sheets around, but you also are helping support our mission of helping Families!
Thank you, Race with Grace!
A BIG thank you to Lakeshore Community Church for their incredible hard work and making Thanksgiving extra special! They hosted a 10k AND a 5k which benefitted C.U.R.E. The planning committee meets once a month, year-round to ensure this race goes off without a hitch! We are so grateful for their support for our Families - not mention the amazing volunteers and runners/walkers who took time out of their holiday to participate.
We couldn’t do what we do without your kindness and generosity.
Thank You, Rite Aid Healthy Futures!
It’s official, C.U.R.E. has received a 2023 neighborhood grant. This funding will allow us to expand our impact and continue to uplift neighborhoods during these challenging times. Thank you to Rite Aid Healthy Futures for supporting us this past Giving Tuesday!
Fantastic Fall Fundraiser!
Gracie ran a pumpkin patch in the fall to raise funds for C.U.R.E. With the help of her Family, she sold over $1,300 worth of pumpkins! Gracie is a C.U.R.E. kiddo and survivor, and enjoys giving back to her community.
Great job Gracie and thank you for thinking of our C.U.R.E. Families!
Spare Change for Addy!
Addy and her dedicated Family Members and Friends came together in September to raise funds for C.U.R.E.! Spare Change for Addy raised $750 to further our mission and help our Families. This sassy, spunky gal (along with support from her Mama and Grandma Lean) enjoys celebrating her survivorship through supporting other Families just like hers! Thank you so much for your love, Addytude Friends!
You make the holidays extra special!
A big thank you to the PICS team for donating a ton of toys for our Families! They had everything from squishmallows to board games to craft kits! We are so thankful for your year-round support and for helping us make the holidays special for our Families.
We are so grateful for you!
Thank you to the Bennett Family for their generous toy donations! They are a beloved C.U.R.E. Family and we are so appreciative of their help to pay it forward for our other Families in need. Thank you, Bennett’s!
Our hats are off to you, Hatsgiving!
Every year, we are the grateful recipients of donations of beautiful (and warm!) hats from our Friends at Hatsgiving. This year did NOT disappoint. From traditional hats in a variety of colors to fun characters, our Kiddos sure will be happy with warm smiles and warm heads this winter. Thank you for always thinking of our Families and continuing this kindness!
Win or Lose: We love the Bills!
So when Carol discovered there was an opportunity for a couple of our Families to experience a private tour of Highmark Stadium, she JUMPED on it for our Families! A tremendous thank you to Selina Fiely and her Family for donating passes to a private stadium tour to our organization. We held a raffle to select the winners, who got a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Highmark Stadium. Fiely Family, thank you so much for bringing smiles to our Kiddos’ faces.
Thank you!
Thank you to our Friends at RCIPA who always think of us at the holidays. They generously donated these adorable wooly mammoth stuffies, which will be given to our Kiddos this holiday season. Every year, our Friends donate to our organization and they are wildly popular (see what we did there? ;) ).
School of the Arts Dance Department is great!
A huge thank you to the School of the Arts Dance Department who continues to keep our Families in their hearts. This part September, they conducted a fundraiser to raise awareness of childhood cancer and funds for C.U.R.E.! They sold gold ribbons and encouraged the student and staff population to wear ribbons, raise awareness and donate to C.U.R.E. Thank you for your continued support and dedication. A special thank you to Bridget Bell-Harris. We appreciate you!
Please give a hand for our Volunteer of the Month….
LYNNE STIEFLER
Lynne is a fixture around the C.U.R.E. office, always offering support and resources to help our Families. If we have a need, she helps us find a resource or solution. Whether it’s collecting and filling backpacks for our Families, volunteering at events or engaging with us on social media, Lynne is such a great friend to C.U.R.E.
Thank you, Lynne, for your dedication to C.U.R.E. and your willingness to lend a hand!
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
Honor the special Heroes in your life with our annual Holiday Hero program!
It’s easy:
* Make a donation to C.U.R.E. by clicking the button below (or sending a check to our office with “Holiday Heroes” in the memo line)
* Include your special Hero message or ad
* Your Hero will be recognized in print (in the Democrat and Chronicle and The Canandaigua Post) and digitally (the Democrat and Chronicle, The Messenger Post and on our website)
Shop our Wish Lists:
Please help us make the Holidays brighter for our Families by shopping our Amazon Wish Lists this Holiday Season. We have split our lists into three different spending categories to make shopping more convenient for you. We are also in need of fun Holiday wrapping paper and Scotch Tape (if that’s more in your comfort zone):
It’s Beanie Szn!
Keep your head warm and your heart full this season with our EXCLUSIVE Love Your Melon + C.U.R.E. Beanies. One beanie is given to a child battling or who has battled cancer for every one that is purchased. Even better? Funds from purchased merch help further our mission and help us support local Families battling.
These make AMAZING holiday gifts as well. We hope you’ll keep us in mind this gift-giving season!
Don’t forget the JOE!
Don’t forget to check out our Friends at Awareness Coffee Co.! They have many different coffee options AND you can support a cause you’re passionate about (we’re partial to the Pediatric Cancer Blend). A portion of the sale of the coffee will be donated to the charities listed under each cause.
Causewash is Back!
We ae happy to share that Causewash is back and we are partnering with them, once again! Check out any of the GO Carwashes located locally in Rochester and wash your car all while supporting local Families! Click the link below to learn more.
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.
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.
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.
Bereavement Group
The December Bereavement Group will be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, December 6th. The group will be meeting at BJ’s Restaurant (760 Jefferson Road, 14623). This will be an informal meeting for the group to get to know each other more and enjoy food together.
No RSVP is necessary.
Please reach out to Michelle Magin at
michelle.magin@curekidscancer.com with any questions.
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
- SQUISHMALLOWS! ALL SIZES! The kids love them!
- Universal phone chargers with long cords
- 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!