March 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: JJ
Meet our friend, JJ.
James "JJ" Rothfuss
Diagnosed with A.M.L. on April 12, 2021, at age 7. He finished four cycles of chemo and came home from inpatient treatment in September 2021. JJ is now almost a year and a half off treatment and turning 9 on March 20th!
JJ loves sports, especially baseball, football and motocross. He also enjoys playing video games and being with all of his friends. JJ is very close with his little brother Henry, who he spends a lot of time playing and wrestling with.
Sending BIG Congratulations wishes to our Friends Kennedy and Dylan!
Kennedy joined us with her adoring Family to ring the End of Chemo Bell, add her handprint to our Handprints of Hope wall and was delighted to accept her favorite treat: Organic Cookies from Tops!
Dylan joined us with his siblings and parents as he added his Handprint to our Handprints of Hope wall. We treated him to some of his favorites: Coke-a-Cola, Hershey Kisses and Dunkin Donuts! He rang his End of Chemo Bell during the kick off ceremony for the C.U.R.E. Cancer Knight with the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday, February 25th. Check out the video below to watch Dylan ring the bell!
March Parents’ Night Out
Parents’ Night Out at the Omega Escape Room on Friday, March 24th at 6:15 p.m. C.U.R.E. Parents/Caregivers look for sign up details in the Program emails and Parent to Parent Facebook Group. RSVP Required.
Thank you, A.P. Enterprises
Our Friends at A.P. Enterprises Property Services are again planning a FUN Easter Egg Hunt for our Community. Participation is FREE for C.U.R.E. Immediate Household members and $10/Family for the general public.
Please check the weekly program emails from Carol for sign up information or see the posts in the Closed Parent to Parent Facebook Group. RSVP by 3/27.
SAVE THE DATE!!
C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association’s Survivor’s Day Picnic will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 this year.
Mark your calendar!
NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Jeffrey Charles Sewell Scholarship:
We are excited to announce the inaugural Jeffrey Charles Sewell Scholarship for young people who were supported by C.U.R.E. and who are currently attending, or plan to attend, college or trade school. The Jeffrey Charles Sewell Scholarship was established by a founding C.U.R.E. Family in honor of their late son.
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.
The deadline for applications is Friday, March 31, 2023.
The winner will be selected on Monday, May 1, 2023 by a committee of Sewell Family members and C.U.R.E. board members.
Any questions about the application process can be directed to the Sewell Family (jcsscholarship203@gmail.com).
With this opportunity we are pleased to continue to embrace families at every turn!
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.
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 Captain 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
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/curekidscancerrochester
Instagram: @curekidscancer
Twitter: @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 a Facebook Live or Instagram Takeover.
“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 1/3/2023, THERE ARE 14,862 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.
79,799 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 1/3/2023)
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
As a reminder, The National SCD Policy Forum is taking place in March and here key items:
· Dates: March 21st & 22nd
· Day One features educational sessions on federal advocacy trends and provides an opportunity to discuss concrete solutions to existing gaps in sickle cell disease (SCD) policy. It also includes opportunities to “practice your pitch” before meeting with your legislators.
· Day Two features the Virtual Hill Day. Advocates will have the opportunity to meet with their legislators and educate them about sickle cell disease issues and policy recommendations.
· FY 24 Federal Priorities One-Pager coming soon!
Congratulations
to our four Super Bowl Squares winners! We appreciate so much everyone who participated in this fun fundraiser!
A big THANK YOU to the winners who donated their winnings back to C.U.R.E. We are so touched by your kindness!
Thank you, Rochester Knighthawks!
Thank you, Addy and Friends!
Thank you so much Addyson and Family for your generous donation of Scentsy Buddy Clips for our C.U.R.E. Kids and Sibs! They are SCENT-SATIONAL!
The group also donated gas and food gift cards for our inpatient Families to use. Mom said that any help with food while hospitalized was a huge help, so they wanted to extend the same help to current Families! We are so grateful!
Thank you, St. John’s Lutheran!
C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association was grateful to receive the proceeds from your annual Bazaar! Thank you for thinking of our children and their Families!
Thank you, Wegmans Latta Road!
Our Friends from the Latta Road Wegmans made our C.U.R.E. Kiddos some really great Valentines! Complete with little stuffy and a toy or activity, they were the perfect thing to make our hearts feel full of love this Valentine’s Day! Thank you for thinking of our Families!
In Memory of Joseph & Grace…
We are so touched to be included in honoring Joseph and Grace Hickey, twins who passed away at birth. In their memory, their family does a small fundraiser each year to honor them. This year, the Family chose to donate art supplies to C.U.R.E. for our Kiddos. Thank you so much for your support and for letting us be a part of such an important and beautiful family tradition.
Our Friends need help stuffing eggs on March 25th AND during the event!
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
The 5k and Fun Walk is back!
We hope you’ll join us for our 14th Annual 5k and Fun Walk with a NEW LOCATION this year!
We will be hosting the event at Meridian Centre Park on Saturday, April 29th!
The run begins at 9 AM with the walk starting shortly after. There will be a shorter alternate walk route available.
Enjoy the sights and sounds along the Erie Canal with this Family-Friendly Walk.
Calling all Teams!
We’d LOVE for you to form a team this year! The more, the merrier!
We are partnering with Bonfire again to offer Team T-Shirts. You design the front with your Team Name and Information and share with your Team Members. Shirts get shipped directly to them AND a portion of the sale is donated to C.U.R.E.!
Prizes available for our C.U.R.E. Champion Fundraisers including…
A FULL TABLE TO ENJOY THE 15TH ANNUAL RECIPE FOR A C.U.R.E. SUNDAY BRUNCH presented by West Herr Cares to the Top Fundraiser!
Whole Year & Event Specific Partnerships Available for 2023
We would LOVE to partner with you and your business! Reach out and we can chat about the opportunities we have available!
Event specific partnerships can be found on their respective pages:
It’s Trivia Night Time!
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.
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.
Unfortunately, we have been notified that the Amazon Smile Program will be ending in February 2023. We are so grateful to all of our Friends who have chosen to support C.U.R.E. through the Amazon Smile program throughout the years. When you shopped, our Families would benefit. Each year, we received between $1,500 - 2,000 from this program. We are blown away by the kindness of all of you (and really impressed by how much you all shop ;) haha). Thank you for thinking of our Families and keeping them on your minds even while you shopped. We appreciate you and will certainly miss this program.
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:
Winter is HERE…
Get a-HEAD of the season and order your Love Your Melon + C.U.R.E. Beanie today! It’ll be winter before we know it.
These make great Holiday gifts, as the quality of Love Your Melon Hats is second to none. Wash and dry your hat as needed.
The best part? For every beanie purchased from Love Your Melon, they GIVE one to a child battling cancer!
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
Bereavement Group for March will be held at an off site location. RSVP is required. Please reach out to Carol Austin at carol.austin@curekidscancer.com or Michelle Magin at
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
- SQUISHMALLOWS! ALL SIZES! The kids love them!
- 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!