May 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!
A note from Holly…
I wanted to take the time to thank those who shared well wishes as I reached my ten year milestone here at C.U.R.E. The support from our Stakeholders was overwhelming and I was moved to tears by the kind messages shared in the Video the Team at C.U.R.E. put together. I am so grateful to those who took the time to wish me well or reflect on the past ten years here at C.U.R.E. I am so proud of our organization that continues to grow and expand upon the support we provide. We’ve come a long way in ten years and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. My most sincere hope is that we have increased the love and support we show our Families and they feel it every day. 💛
Congratulations, Michelle & Carol!
May is an exciting month here at C.U.R.E. We are celebrating Michelle’s 5 year Anniversary as our Parent Advocate and Carol’s 2 year Anniversary as our Program Coordinator!
Our Families have shared that Michelle’s empathetic demeanor and calming presence have been a gift during their most difficult days. She shares insight, connects Families with resources and truly cares about each and every one of our Families. We are so lucky to have her on Staff!
Carol has brought our Programming to new heights! Under Carol’s guidance, we have offered Parents’ Night Out events more regularly, partnered with other local organizations to provide support, connected Families with each other more and have expanded the assistance we provide our Families. Her positive attitude and kind heart are bright spots in all our days.
In memory of Dr. Jacob Adams.
With saddened hearts, we share that former Board member Dr. Jacob Adams has passed away. Jacob served on our Board of Directors from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2022. In addition to serving on our Board and attending many events (including the Survivors' Day Picnic), Jacob was a lifelong advocate for those surviving a childhood cancer diagnosis, working closely with The Candle Lighters Foundation, American Childhood Cancer Organization and the American College of Preventative Medicine. We will miss Jacob dearly and send an abundance of love to his wife, Heather, and beloved family and friends.
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!
Congratulations, Jazzy!
We are so excited to be celebrating our friend Jazzy’s End of Chemo!
We were able to join her at the hospital along with her sisters, mother and grandmother. We treated her to her favorite snacks: gummies, Dorito’s and Reese’s! She also received a few fun gifts from C.U.R.R.E. to celebrate her end of Chemo. Yay Jazzy!
Congratulations, Kathy!
Wishing our Friend, Kathy Wissler, congratulations as she retires from her position as Educational Liaison with C.U.R.E. Kathy has tirelessly dedicated herself to assisting with the education of our Children, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive. Kathy’s impressive career involves working at Golisano Children’s Hopsital to address education needs as well as partnering with C.U.R.E. and other agencies locally all with the mission of helping children who have undergone treatment and have residual effects of the treatment or missed a significant amount of school due to their diagnosis succeed in school.
Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your vast knowledge and compassion with so many Families over the years.
Enjoy retirement!
Spotlight on: Landyn
Meet our Friend, Landyn.
Landyn is very caring and lovable! He passes out the best hugs if you ask. He is very attentive to his surroundings. Landyn is so much fun to be around!
Some of Landyn’s favorite things to do are making loud noises by banging pots together, playing with his toys or anything that hits the floor and makes a noise!
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!
April Parents’ Night Out at Axes and Ales
What an “Axeedingly” Awesome time at Axes and Ales for April Parents’ Night Out. C.U.R.E. Parents had a fantastic time getting to know each other and throwing axes. Lots of laughter and learning! Watch for future Axeciting Parents’ Night Out events in the Program emails and Closed Parent Facebook group.
Coming up: C.U.R.E.’s Annual Survivors’ Day Picnic
Save the date for Sunday, June 2nd for
C.U.R.E.’s Annual Survivors’ Day Picnic Celebration
Watch for sign up information in the Program Emails and closed Facebook group.
C.U.R.E. Grandparents’ Day Out
C.U.R.E. Grandparents’ Day Out is on Wednesday, May 22nd at 10:30 a.m.
Please click the link below to email Carol Austin for location and to sign up.
Join in!
Join in the 36th Annual Albion Strawberry Festival Parade on Saturday, June 8th! Friends of C.U.R.E. have coordinated a C.U.R.E. and childhood cancer awareness float!
Kids are invited to ride on the wagon in the parade. Bring your gold gear or C.U.R.E. gear plus your C.U.R.E. kiddo or a photo of him or her.
We would love for you to join - whether you are a C.U.R.E. Family, Volunteer or Supporter.
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.
2024 Ability Scholarship
Disabilities, whether internal or external, are a daily challenge, and people may never fully overcome them. But, as people adapt, they learn to work with their disabilities. Some break the stigma, play to their strengths, and focus on what they can do, rather than what they cannot.
We have created the Ability Scholarship for students to share their experiences dealing with a disability and how they have overcome obstacles. This is a $1000 scholarship opportunity and we will be accepting applications until May 31, 2024.
Families for Depression Awareness is presenting a free webinar — Unlocking Healthy Conversations — on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET/ 4:00 to 5:30 PM PT.
Rebekah Gibbons, LICSW, will take participants through four common scenarios. In each scenario, she will teach parents and caring adults how to use communication strategies that work. You will learn how to validate your teen’s feelings and discuss sensitive topics. By improving communication skills, parents and caring adults can better connect with teenagers and support their mental health needs. Register to join us for a live webinar discussion or watch on demand after it airs.
If you are new to the topic of teen depression or in need of a refresher, please watch their Understanding Teen Depression as a foundation to this upcoming webinar.
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!
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 2/22/2024, THERE ARE 15,039 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.
81,056 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 2/22/2024)
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
Thank you, Cal-Mum High School!
Three cheers for our Friends at Caledonia-Mumford High School for hosting a Penny Drive this Spring! The National Honor Society, led by Mollie Bleier, took charge and made every penny count. Thank you, Cal-Mum High Community, for raising nearly $100 for our Families!
Thank you, 468 American Legion Post!
We are so grateful for the support 468 American Legion Post has been providing C.U.R.E.! Last month, they worked with kiddos in the community to make a TON of handtied blankets for our C.U.R.E. kids.
On top of that, they continuously bring in can tabs for ‘Keeping Tabs on Cancer with Hailey’ so that Hailey can provide support with hospital parking for our Families.
Community partners like you mean the world to us! Thank you for your ongoing support, 468 American Legion Post!
Thank you, Genesee Valley Agency!
In the month of February, Genesee Valley Agency donated $5 from every quote to C.U.R.E. They surpassed their goal and raised $762! They also started a can tab collection in their office and in the local area and brought in five big bags of can tabs! These will be giving to ‘Keeping Tabs on Cancer with Hailey’ so that she can continue to give back to our Families.
Thank you Genesee Valley Agency for your continous support and making a difference for our Families!
Love 4 Lewis Baseball
A huge thank you to our Friends in Greece on the Olympia/Odyssey Baseball Team for hosting “Love 4 Lewis” on April 9th. Proceeds from the game were donated to C.U.R.E. in honor of their teammate. Check out the news story here:
Thank you, Kirsten!
Congratulations on running in the Boston Marathon, Kirsten! What an accomplishment! Not only did Kirsten run in the Boston Marathon on April 15th, she encouraged her Village of support to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign she created with funds being donated to C.U.R.E.! Nearly $1,500 was raised through Kirsten’s efforts and we are so thrilled and humbled by the support. Kirsten, thank YOU for thinking of US during such a monumental experience in your life.
Iroquois Middle School Makes Every Penny Count!
Our Friends at Iroquois Middle School come through year after year by participating in our annual Penny Drive. We were so thrilled to deliver jugs before Spring Break and were humbled by the Iroquois Community’s response! Nearly $1,500 was raised by the school and we are grateful beyond words. Thank you, Nadine Avallone, for coordinating once again!
Thank you, Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School!
A big hooray to our Friends at Ellis B. Hyde Elementary School for joining in on our Annual Penny Drive this Spring. The EBH Community in Dansville collected $166 to support our Families! Thank you for keeping us in your hearts!
Yo Ho Ho! Thanks, Pirate Toy Fund!
We are so grateful for Otto and the team at the Pirate Toy Fund for sharing kindness with our Community! They kindly donated 150 toys for us to distribute at our upcoming Survivors’ Day Picnic! They will also be at the event providing a bounce house, Sno Cones and more! We are thankful for this partnership and look forward to connecting more in the future!
Thank you, Sequoia!
Our friends at Sequoia chose to support C.U.R.E. on their company-wide, volunteering program for Global Volunteer Month! They were a tremendous help with getting us ready for the 5k - they sorted prizes, labelled names & bibs, and had us ready for packet pick-up the next day.
Thank you, Sequoia Team, for thinking of us and helping us! We are so grateful for you all!
Thank you, Gentlemen!
Don Miller is sunshine. He’s helpful, positive and a joy to be around! He assembled his trusty Breakfast Crew to beautify our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden just in time for our Brick Laying Ceremony once again. These gentlemen lay mulch, prune the garden and plant flowers - all of which are donated to our organization by Don and his family. Thank you for thinking of our Little Angels and working so hard to ensure everything looks nice for their Families at our Brick Laying Ceremony.
Please give a hand for our Volunteer of the Month….
Mary Gilligan
We are so thankful for Mary and her dedication to C.U.R.E.! For the past several years, Mary has devoted her time to us whether it be at our fundraising events, prepping for the holiday party, Survivors’ Day Picnic or coming to the office to help our staff! She is always ready to raise her hand and ask how she can help. Most recently, she answered an email ask while she was on vacation with, “I can!”, and the day after her vacation was ready to assist in any way she could!
We are so grateful for your unwavering support, Mary, and your willingness to lend a hand!
Help coordinate your favorite events!
We are looking for volunteers to join committees for both our Golf Tournament and the Sunday Brunch! The Golf Tournament consists of participants from various backgrounds that help organize, solicit donations & sponsors, and work closely with the events coordinator on day of details.
The Sunday Brunch has multiple committees you can join based on your interests: PR & Marketing Committee, Live Auction Committee, Registration Committee and the Dining Room Committee (the last two must be able to volunteer the day of).
Please click the buttons below if you are interested!
Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden Volunteer Opportunities:
Our Garden needs love this time of year and we would appreciate your help! Sign up for a week and come any day that week. Duties include weeding, pruning and cleaning around our special bricks.
Survivors’ Day Picnic Volunteers Needed:
We just could not love on our Families at our annual Survivors’ Day Picnic without the support of our Community. We have many volunteer opportunities the first weekend in June. Please join us and make this day extra special for our C.U.R.E. Families.
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
Are you a business who wants to partner with us?
We also have partnerships available for each event. Please click the button below to chat with Sammi Jo and learn more!
The 9th Annual Patrick Carr Memorial Golf Tournament presented by ASP Industries & Brighton Securities is just around the corner…
SAVE THE DATE: JULY 22, 2024
We return to Deerfield Country Club for a day filled of friendly competitions, course games, meals & beverages, prizes and more! Don’t PUTT around, sign up today!
Start gathering your foursomes - registration is limited so don’t wait!
Million Penny Drive
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.
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!
Embrace the Difference
Did you know that we partner with Reeds Jewelers on their Embrace the Difference campaign? With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduations coming up, we hope you’ll consider grabbing a gift from Reeds Jewelers Embrace the Difference Collection and make a difference to our Families (all while giving a beautiful gift!).
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 May Bereavement Group will be held at the C.U.R.E. Offices at 7:30 on Wednesday, May 1st. Please reach out to Carol Austin at carol.austin@curekidscancer.com or 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!