February 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!
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!
New Position Offering!
We are looking to expand the support we provide to our Bereaved Families. As such, we have created the Bereaved Family Advocate position. It is a part-time position that will be working directly with our Bereaved Families, planning events and programming. The incumbent must be a Parent who has lost a child to cancer or chronic blood disorder.
Click here to review the full job description.
Spotlight on: Akiva
Meet our Friend, Akiva.
This is our Friend Akiva, but everyone calls him Kiv! He is a happy, active and bright 3 year old who loves all things Disney, reading books and playing outside. He lives with his mom, dad and little brother Luka. In August 2023, Kiv was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma and Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. Despite facing challenge after challenge, Akiva is always smiling and making others laugh. He is an inspiration to his family, friends and community!
January Parents’ Night Out
Lots of laughter at the January Parents’ Night Out. C.U.R.E. Parents were at Comedy at the Carlson on Wednesday, January 17th to see comedian David Nihill. It was a great evening of connecting and conversations and smiles.
C.U.R.E. Parents: watch Program emails for exciting upcoming Parents’ Night Out adventures.
Calling all C.U.R.E. Grandparents: We want to connect you with each other!
Please join us on Wednesday, February 21st at 10:30 a.m. at the Panera Bread at 12 Twelve Corners Brighton, 1902 Monroe Avenue.
See the links below to sign up for a special email list for upcoming Grandparents' Day Out events as well as to sign up for the February date!
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!
Now Open:
The Jeffrey Charles Sewell Memorial Scholarship is open for applicants. Last year, the scholarship was received by Fiona and Sara.
The Jeffrey Charles Sewell Scholarship was established by a founding C.U.R.E. Family in honor of their late son. This scholarship seeks to assist young people who were supported by C.U.R.E. and are currently attending or plan to attend college or trade school in 2024.
The JCS Scholarship winner will receive a one-time, $2,000 award to be applied towards their continuing education. Eligibility for this scholarship:
Cancer survivors who have been supported by C.U.R.E.; and
Have been accepted, are currently enrolled, or are a prospective student with plans to enroll into a 2-year, 4-year, or trade school.
If enrolled, must be in good standing with their college or institution.
Award winner can re-apply for the JCS Scholarship for each year they are enrolled in college or trade school.
Criteria:
For the inaugural award, the JCS Scholarship winner will be someone who has demonstrated a commitment to continuing education amidst life’s challenges, including the journey of surviving childhood cancer.
Though not a requirement, students pursuing education in science, medicine, social work, or other health sciences with career plans in children’s cancer are strongly encouraged to apply.
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.
Did you know…
…the U.S. is in an emergency blood shortage, facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years?
Unfortunately this affects many kiddos currently going through treatment. Help give back to your community through the Kailee Kwiecien Memorial Blood Drive! This drive honors C.U.R.E. kiddo, Kailee, who is remembered for her thoughtful, fun-loving, spunky attitude!
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.
Attention Campers, the wait is over!
The dates for Camp Good Days’ Summer 2024 programs are here! While registration isn't open yet, you can find out more information on their website!
Camp Sunshine Kickoff!
Camp Sunshine kicks off its 40th year with their first session scheduled for February 20-24 and will be an Oncology session.
They are inviting families to experience a traditional Maine winter at this very special February session.
Activities will include:
1. Family Skiing at Pleasant Mountain – complimentary lift tickets and equipment rentals will be provided to all families!
2. Ice Skating
3. Horse and Carriage Rides
4. Snowshoeing
All families accepted for this session are eligible for up to $1,000 in travel assistance.
The application deadline for the February session is Monday, February 5, 2024.
To apply families can visit: https://www.campsunshine.org/programs/program-schedule
For questions or for additional information please contact
Corri O’Brion at cobrion@campsunshine.org and 207-655-1805
or Karla Moore at kmoore@campsunshine.org and 207-655-1817.
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
You shine bright, ROC Holiday Lights!
We are so grateful for Board member, Mike Broker, and MAC Lights for shining a light on pediatric cancer and chronic blood disorders this holiday season. A portion of every ride through the Roc Holiday Lights at Victor Hills was donated to C.U.R.E. THANK YOU for thinking of our Families and making the season brighter for everyone!
We🖤RDI Diamonds!
Our friends at RDI Diamonds once again showered us with their generosity! Their team worked hard during the fall season to raise funds for our Families and be an advocate for C.U.R.E. They presented us with a $7,970 check for our Families! Thank you for your continuous support and believing in the work we do!
Your kindness is a work of heART, Bonaventure Enactus!
A huge thank you to our Friends at St. Bonaventure University’s ENACTUS group. They coordinated Canvas for a C.U.R.E., once again, and generated donations for C.U.R.E. We were also gifted with beautiful, hand-painted canvases to gift to our C.U.R.E Kiddos. Thank you for continuing to think of our Families.
Thank you, ROC Holiday Village!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to have worked at The Giving Cup in the Roc Holiday Village this holiday season. We volunteered our time on Saturday, December 2nd and were gifted $1,000 in return! Thank you for the opportunity! We hope to work together this year, too! (As long as everyone was happy with Holly’s service hahaha).
Thank you, National Property Management Associates!
It was such a pleasure meeting Kimberly early in January. She coordinated a donation from National Property Management Associates to C.U.R.E. She is a dedicated community member, even offering up her service dogs to help support our Families! We think this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Meal with a deal - Thank you, Jersey Mike’s!
The Jersey Mike’s Subs located on Monroe Ave. partnered with C.U.R.E. as part of their Give Back program in January and, with the help of the community, raised $720! We are grateful Jersey Mike’s choose to support our Families. We hope to work together soon!
Please give a hand for our Volunteer of the Month….
Hilary Grana!
Hilary is a C.U.R.E. mom to survivor, Fiona! Hilary generously volunteered her time with us over the Holidays on a couple of occasions. She and Fiona helped pass out toys to our Families at the Holiday Party and spread their holiday cheer! Hilary also stepped in to help run the hot cocoa stand at the ROC Holiday Light Show on short notice in December.
If you are attending this month’s Ice Cream Social, be sure to say hi to Hilary and thank her for all she does for C.U.R.E.! It warms our hearts to see a C.U.R.E. Parent give back the love and support to our Families, just as Hilary has. We are so grateful for her time and positive outlook!
Thank you for lending a hand, Hilary!
Trivia Night Volunteers needed!
We are looking for a few more Friends to round out of Trivia Night Volunteer team! Volunteers will arrive between 4:30 PM and 5 PM, set up tables, serve food from the buffet, clear tables, distribute and collect answer sheets and clean up. The event should wrap up around 9:30 PM.
Please email Sammi Jo to sign up:
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
We are again offering Super Bowl Squares for C.U.R.E. in 2024! Squares will cost $25 each. Once you make your donation, you will be assigned a random square. When the board of 100 is full, we will use a random number generator to assign numbers to rows and columns.
The winner is decided by looking at the last number in each teams' score and then matching those digits on the grid to see where the squares intersect.
Payout will be as follows:
Winner of the 1st Quarter: $150
Winner at Halftime: $200
Winner of the 3rd Quarter: $150
Final Score Winner: $300
Winners will be notified after the game.
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!
Valentine’s Day is coming!
Our exclusive C.U.R.E. bracelets make great gifts! With three different options available, there’s something for everyone.
Give the gift that supports local Families facing the unimaginable.
Support Local. Shop our Exclusive Collection.
Round up 8 of your smartest Friends… it’s time for trivia!
Click the banner above for details and to sign up your team today!
The 5k Run & Fun Walk presented by Cornerstone Wealth Management is just around the corner…
SAVE THE DATE: April 27, 2024
Start gathering your teams!
More details to come… stay tuned!
Genesee Valley Agency
Please join our team of Super Agents at GVA in supporting C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association in an exciting fundraiser. GVA will donate $5 for each new quote in the month of February, adding to our current fundraiser of collecting can tabs at our five offices (Arkport, Avoca, Caledonia, Dansville, Odessa). Start a new quote today by visiting our website, www.gvains.com, calling a Super Agent directly at (833) 781-5556, or emailing info@GVAins.com. No purchase necessary to qualify
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.
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!
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 February Bereavement Group will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, February 7th. The group will meet at the C.U.R.E. office at 200 Westfall Rd, Rochester.
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!
- 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!