March 2021 Newsletter
“No matter how long the winter,
Spring is sure to follow.”
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.
A word from our Executive Director
It is crazy to think that a year ago this month, our world changed more than we ever imagined possible. We have been living through a worldwide pandemic, with the ups and downs and uncertainty, for a year now. Every single aspect of our lives has been disrupted in some way by the Coronavirus Pandemic. It is my hope, however, that our families and supporters see that the Staff here at C.U.R.E. have put a tremendous amount of love and effort into keeping you all engaged and pleased with the services we offer. We are a small organization, but aim to make a big difference! We have pivoted and reimagined. We have continued to provide support as much as possible. We couldn’t do it all without the help from our incredible community. To see how our community has come together to rally for local nonprofits, to help resolve the issues that have presented as a result of the pandemic and improvise to ensure its community members were cared for has been heartwarming and inspiring to watch. What an honor it is to be a part of a community that cares so deeply for its members. We at C.U.R.E. continue to care deeply for our families, brainstorming ways we can be helpful and supportive. While the future of in-person events is still so uncertain, I wanted to ensure you all knew we are working hard to make sure we are offering safe, fun and meaningful events and look forward to “seeing” you there. We appreciate the continued patience and support through all the changes. I am looking forward to a brighter year ahead with more possibilities for support of our families and engagement.
Sending love to you all with a grateful heart,
Holly
Come join our Team!
We have one Part-Time Positions Available:
- Parent Advocate (Monday thru Wednesday, 7 hour shifts): Meets with families daily at Golisano Children’s Hospital in both outpatient clinic and inpatient.
Interested? Email Holly (holly.dutcher@curekidscancer.com)
Spotlight on: Ava
Meet our friend, Ava!
Ava is a very happy little girl. She is two years old and always smiling! She was diagnosed with Medullablastoma recently, but that doesn’t slow her down! She loves Mickey Mouse, Trolls, True and the Rainbow Kingdom and the Mighty Little Bheem Shows! When she isn’t catching up with her favorite cartoons, she is loving on her two cats: Stella and Bobby.
When she is at the hospital, she likes to play with toys, color and dance. Her favorite activity in the hospital is walking in the hallway or being pushed in the stroller!
Free Programming for Families:
Free Virtual Cooking Class
C.U.R.E. Parents & Caregivers are invited to an exclusive cooking class instructed by Certified Executive Chef, Mike Speranza.
Thursday, March 25th
6 PM - 8 PM
via Zoom
Parents must RSVP with Holly (holly.dutcher@curekidscancer.com) by March 17th.
C.U.R.E. will provide a grocery store gift card to help cover the cost of your ingredients.
Parents & Caregivers of Kids off Treatment or Coming Off Treatment Soon
Please join us for a Zoom Gathering.
Meet other parents, chat with Michelle, ask questions.
If you are interested in joining, Michelle will post a Zoom link in the CLOSED Parent to Parent Facebook Group. You can also send her an email by clicking here.
We’ve got you covered!
C.U.R.E. has been gifted filtered and unfiltered cloth masks as well as surgical masks! We have child sized cloth masks and adult sized surgical and cloth. If our families are in need of masks, please contact us to arrange getting you some! Send us an email if you are in need: Click me to email.
Our friends at Golisano Children’s Hospital sent us this great Toolkit to help parents explain mask wearing to their kiddos. Check it out here.
Donate Blood!
Many of our children depend on blood transfusions and blood products in the course of their treatment. With the recent pandemic, blood drives have been halted. Our children are still in need of blood products. Please consider donating blood if you are well enough to. Visit redcrossblood.org to set up an appointment time. They are adhering to social distancing guidelines to fulfill the need.
YOU can help C.U.R.E. for FREE
1) Follow us on social media:
Facebook page: facebook.com/curekidscancerrochester
Instagram: @curekidscancer
Twitter: @curekidscancer_
(2) Write a review about C.U.R.E. on our Facebook Page
(3) Write a blog that can be shared on our website.
(4) Contact our Parent Advocate about doing a Facebook Live or Instagram Takeover
(5) “Like”, Share or comment on our posts on social media!
Imaginary Friend Society:
A cancer diagnosis is scary for anyone, but for a child it can be even scarier. They’re bombarded with terminology and procedures that are intimidating and unfamiliar. Things like radiation, hair loss, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and surgery. Just to name a few.
That’s where the Imaginary Friend Society comes in: a cast of characters inspired by the imaginations of kids themselves. Through a series of 20 animated short films, our imaginary friends explain a wide range of complicated cancer topics in a way that kids can understand. Because the more they understand about their treatment, the less scary it will be. To learn more, click here.
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.
For Fathers of Pediatric Oncology Patients:
This is a personal account of a father's struggle to try and save his son, Max, who suffered from two cancers. The author expresses his hopes, fears, and emotions during the illness, and the growing love that developed between them. He describes how it feels to be a parent of a cancer-stricken child and demonstrates the amazing endurance and courage of children undergoing cancer treatment.
Free to read as a digital download if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited -
– Click here to learn more
Thank you to the incredible Child Life Specialists at Golisano Children’s Hospital. March is Child Life Month!
Social Work is a work of heart.
Thank you to our friend, Jade Giesy (Pediatric Heme/Onc Social Worker from Golisano Children’s Hospital) for the love and care you put in every day for the children and families you help. We appreciate you!
Looking for Volunteers!
Our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden wouldn’t be as beautiful without the TLC from our wonderful volunteers! Sign up for a week to care for our garden this year!
Garden TLC involves weeding, trimming bushes/trees, pruning the garden and watering the garden.
Sign up here.
Thank you to Fyle Elementary!
We are so thankful for our friends at Fyle Elementary School in Henrietta! They’ve come together, once again, to support our C.U.R.E. Families and hosted a two week long Penny Drive at their school. The Fyle Community raised a grand total of $1,169.59!! Thank you to everyone who contributed to make the event such a success!
Spring Into Easter!
You do not want to miss this incredible Easter auction!
Included are packages with beautiful decor and goodies for the kiddos! The best part? Each package starts with the LOW bid of $15! The auction opens up March 1st and runs through March 19th! “Buy It Now” prices offered for each package as well to ensure you are able to claim the one you fall in love with.
Packages can be picked up from our office (200 Westfall Road) March 23rd - April 2nd from 9:30 AM - 5 PM.
Register today!
Our 12th Annual 5k and Fun Walk “Miles Apart, But Always in Our Heart” presented by Cornerstone Wealth Management is live!
The best part? You can join us from virtually anywhere! The event will be a competitive 5k run for those who wish to participate: just download the Nike Run App and find our event!
Not a runner? That’s ok! You can be a “FUND”racer and raise funds for C.U.R.E.!
Click the button above “Register Today” to learn more!
If you are interested in running a Penny Drive in your school or place of work, just let us know! We will provide flyers and collection jugs. Email Jonathan with any questions.
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.
Shop Embrace the Difference
Check out some of our 'NEW" ARRIVALS including MADE IN ITALY GEMSTONE BRACELET COLLECTION!
We just added many new gemstone bracelets as well as many NEW Embrace the Difference® pieces.
Let kindness unite us, no matter our difference. We are all connected.
Embrace the Difference® is available at ReedsJenss locations or shop safely
online at EmbraceTheDifference.org
C.U.R.E. + Astral Power
We have partnered with Astral Power to give our C.U.R.E. supporters access to renewable energy! The solar energy comes from the solar farm on Washington Street in Ogden. Once you sign up, your utility will automatically credit your utility bill for being a member, saving you a guaranteed 10% of your utility costs per year.
Signing up is easy:
(1) Call Rylea (585) 402-9313
or
(2) go to: https://www.astralpower.com/#signup
”How Did You Hear About Us” Select “Customer Referral” and enter “CURE” in “Referred By”
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!
It’s officially beanie season! Order your C.U.R.E. + Love Your Melon beanie today!
We have partnered with Love Your Melon to offer these EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED QUANTITY beanies! They’re one size fits most and super high quality! Support children battling cancer with your purchase: for every one hat purchased, Love Your Melon sends one to a child battling cancer!
Bereavement Corner
We are hoping for feedback from our Bereaved Parents Community.
Are there programs or services you would be interested in that C.U.R.E. may be able to offer to help support you and your family or to connect with other families?
Is there a safe, social activity you would like to participate in?
We would love some feedback and ideas.
This has been a particularly difficult and isolating year.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Please send any messages and feedback to Holly Dutcher. Click me to email.
March Bereavement Group
Please join us for our bereavement group this month on Wednesday, March 3rd via Zoom, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Michelle Magin, C.U.R.E.’s Parent Advocate, Liz & Paul Conrow and Debra Zalar (bereaved parents), will be leading this meeting. Please check your email for the Zoom link or contact the C.U.R.E. office to receive it (staff@curekidscancer.com).
Wishlist Items Needed:
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!
- 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
- Facial Cleansing Wipes and body wash
- Items for teens or young adults
- Fabric Markers
-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!