November 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!
Congratulations, Emma!
We were so thrilled to celebrate the end of chemo for our Friend Emma! She joined us in the office with her family and a friend to ring the End of Chemo Bell on October 29th! The C.U.R.E. Staff was thrilled to gift Emma some special Stranger Things items as well as her favorite snack: Cheez Its! Her sisters have been so brave and caring throughout her battle, too, so they got to peruse our toy room and select an item for themselves as well!
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!
Spotlight on: Miranda
Meet our Friend, Miranda.
Miranda is 9 years old and lives in North Chili with her mom, dad and older brother. She is artsy and loves to draw and paint. She also loves dancing and is involved with gymnastics. Her favorite C.U.R.E. event is Survivors’ Day as she got to meet other kids like her and enjoy all the fun activities together and eat her favorite food, hot dogs!
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!
Thank you Morton Baptist Church
We are so grateful for the wonderful Morton Baptist Church Family for another fantastic Family Fun Day! Every year this event is such an exciting day for C.U.R.E. Families. Crafts, games, horseback riding, apple picking and a trip to the pumpkin patch bring smiles to everyone. Thank you Morton Baptist Church for all that you do for our Families.
C.U.R.E. Parents’ Night Out
Another fun night at the VerHulst Haunted Hayride for Parents’ Night Out. Thank you very much to the VerHulst Family for their generosity in making this such a spooktacularly wonderful time for our C.U.R.E. Families.
Sickle Cell Advocates of Rochester Educational Event
Thank you, Catching Dreams Fishing Charters!
Our C.U.R.E. Kids are kicking off nice weather season with some fishing! We are so grateful to Captain Ned and his team at Catching Dreams Charters, Inc. Thank you for treating our Kiddos to some fun on the water and teaching them about fishing. It can be so therapeutic and we are grateful for your compassion for our Kids. Thank you for letting us be a part of your program!
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.
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, 2024, they’re accepting applications for the 2025-’26 school year.
To learn more, please click the link below or contact CFC at applications@cancerforcollege.org.
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.
Research & Advocacy:
Conquer Cancer in Kids:
make childhood cancer research a priority:
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.
81,091 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 7/25/2024)
Learn more about Bill A6430B
Creates the Sickle Cell Disease detection and education program
Sponsored by Hyndman
Bereavement Group
November Bereavement Group will be Wednesday, November 6, 2024
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the C.U.R.E. offices at 200 Westfall Road, Rochester, NY
No RSVP required, but if you have any questions, please reach out to our Bereaved Family Advocate, Diane (diane.valentine@curekidscancer.com)
December’s meeting will be a Parent Night Out for a cookie decorating class. Details will follow soon. An RSVP will be required.
Thank you to those who were able to attend our Remembrance Service. It was a privilege to all of us at C.U.R.E. to have the opportunity to honor your children.
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
Thank you, Pinnacle School #35!
C.U.R.E. is so grateful for our Friends at Pinnacle School #35 for again partnering with us through hosting a Penny Drive at their school! They conducted the drive in September to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Each classroom had a special jug to collect donations.
It truly means the world to us when we see kids helping other kids. What a wonderful example Pinnacle School #35 is setting. Thank you for making every penny count for our Families!
5k a Day with the Undersheriff!
Undersheriff Korey Brown is such a wonderful addition to our community for so many reasons. We are grateful beyond words for his advocacy. A huge thank you to Undersheriff Brown and all his running companions during September who honored a Kiddo each day they ran: Dep Bethany Masten and her friend Jody White, Commander Patricio Rojas, Kara Gielenfeldt, Dep Jason Dewind, Dep Joanna Aguglia-Smith, Sgt Joe Cappon, Dep Justin Torres, Dep Katie Thomas, Lieutenant Mike Thomas, Lieutenant Mike Anderson, Dep Mike Ottley, Rebecca Tufano, Dep Ryan Feeney, Ret/Cmdr Sam Bell, Dep Todd Kenny, Sandi Brochu, Barb Fellows, Delaney Doyle, McKenzie Raymer and family, Scott Coia and Kayleigh Reid! YOU all made such a difference! Over $7,000 was raised in September in honor of our Little Warriors. Thank you, all, for coming together in honor of our C.U.R.E. Kids and making a difference in the lives of so many!
Thank you for answering the call, RDI Diamonds!
A huge thank you to our Friends at RDI Diamonds, Inc. who answered our call to shop from our Amazon Wish Lists! They purchased the cutest Squishmallows, activities for our Kids and more! We are staring to fill our shelves so we can fill our Families’ homes with love and support this Holiday Season. Thanks so much for kicking off our season of giving in such a beautiful way, RDI!
Thanks for Serving Up Awareness!
The Spencerport Girls Volleyball Teams served up awareness in September and we are so grateful! Nearly $900 was donated to C.U.R.E. to help support our Families. A BIG thank you to those who coordinated and participated in this awesome Go Gold Game! Thank you for raising awareness in honor of our Kiddos! This sure was one winning set.
Thanks for getting cheesey!
We wanted to show our gratitude to our Community for Getting Cheesey With Us for the 7th year! You sure are sharp! Our Liquid Gold for C.U.R.E. Challenge generated $2,500+ to help us further our mission! We are so GRATE-ful to all our Mac & Cheese lovin' Friends who enjoyed some gouda dishes throughout the community. A special thanks to the following participating restaurants for helping us raise awareness and generate funds to help our Families:
58 Main Restaurant, Bar, & Smokin BBQ
We hope you'll brie back next year!
Raising Awareness is Sweet!
WOW! You sure are sweet! Our Friends who joined us for our inaugural “Sprinkle Awareness” campaign helped to raise some serious dough. Nearly $3,000 was donated to help further our mission and we are beyond thrilled! Who knew raising awareness could be so sweet?!
Another special thank you to Papa Jack’s, Molly V’s Homemade Ice Cream, VICS’s in Spencerport and Chili, Rita’s Italian Ice and DRIP Ice Cream Shop.
We hope you’ll join us again next year as well!
You’re TEA-lightful!
Our TEA-Lightful Friends over at Untamed Nutrition came through to support our Families AND bring some delicious nutrition into our community. We are thankful for your special-tea drink your offered in September to raise awareness of childhood cancer and sickle cell disease. Thank you for being such wonderful advocates of our mission!
We are so GRAPE-FUL for you!
Our friends at Genesee Valley Agency helped spread awareness last month at the Naples Grape Festival! They sold auction items ranging from gift certificates to gift baskets of all kinds, and raised $770! In addition, they also stop by often to drop off big bags of can tabs for ‘Keeping Tabs on Cancer with Hailey’.
Thank you for being an advocate for our Families and for finding so many creative ways to help spread awareness!
Thanks for Warming our Hearts!
A tremendous thank you to our Friends at Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters for prepping us for Sweater Weather in the kindest way! You sure warmed our hearts with your donation. Thank you for keeping our Families close to your hearts and keeping our community caffeinated and ready to do big things!
You’re the best, by PAR!
A big heartfelt thank you to the Women’s League at Cobblestone Creek Country Club! They hosted their annual charity golf event in late August and picked C.U.R.E. as the recipient this year! Everyone at the event was so kind and interested to learn more about the services we provide for our Families throughout their journey.
Thank you Cobblestone Creek for your generosity and a special thanks to our friend, Tori, who helped coordinate the event!
Dancing with Donations!
C.U.R.E. extends our most sincere gratitude to the Dalton Gang Western Dance Club and all those who came out to raise awareness of childhood cancer this summer. The group generated $1,000 in donations to help support our mission! Lori Duschen also had a donation jar at the Creekside Convenience Store in Hermitage, which collected donations for C.U.R.E.
Thank you for dancing your way into our hearts in honor of our Kiddos, especially your Aurora. It’s our honor to remember her and to continue to support our Families.
Thanks for Chippin’ in FORE C.U.R.E.
Keller Williams Realty has done it again and hosted an incredible tournament to raise money for our organization. Agents and Friends of the group came out this summer for some golf and networking. Proceeds from the event were donated to C.U.R.E. and we couldn’t be more grateful! Thank you to the Pecora Team for organizing the tournament and for helping us to further our mission through the kindness of those involved!
Please give a hand for our Volunteer of the Month….
Jennie Sommer!
If you’ve stopped by our office this summer, you may have seen Jennie working in the Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden! She stops by often to make sure our flowers are blooming, weeds are tended to and the memory bricks look perfect for our Families. Jennie is also a dedicated volunteer at our events - most recently joining us at our Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch. Her helpful hands worked alongside Cat K. to ensure our auction was looking great for our big event.
In addition to being such a kind volunteer for C.U.R.E., she even recently helped our neighbor with her lawn mowing. Her kind heart continues to give to our organization in so many ways and we are truly grateful.
Jennie, thank you for sharing your gifts with us - especially your green thumb!
We need YOUR help this Holiday Season!
We are in need of Volunteers this Holiday Season!
- Prepare for our Holiday Party
- Set Up/Volunteer At/Clean Up the Holiday Party
- Wrap gifts for our Kiddos
Interested?
Click the Sign Up below!
Join our Board of Directors!
We have some Board positions opening up! Are you 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
PeachSkin Sheets are BACK!
PeachSkin Sheets are the coziest, softest bedsheets… you'll INSTANTLY fall in love, or asleep! Purchase a set now through December 15th and use the code "CURECC1" to get $45 OFF for every set. Not only will you be getting luxury sheets for a discounted price, but $20 per set will be donated back to C.U.R.E.! WHAT A DEAL
Here's how you can order yours today:
Visit the website: https://www.peachskinsheets.com/collections/sheet-sets
Use discount code: CURECC1 at checkout.
Get a discount AND make a difference!
Shopping for a Cause
Get your holiday shopping done and support local small business owners! There will be several local vendors with handmade items as well as other items for sale!
Sunday, November 17th from 10 AM - 3 PM
Italian American Community Center
We are also in need of two Volunteers to run the Raffle Table from 9:45 - 3:15.
33rd Annual Race With Grace 5k & 10k
Join us again this Thanksgiving morning for the annual Race with Grace 5k or 10k! New this year, the 10k race is recognized as one of the races in the Rochester Runner of the Year series. All proceeds, once race expenses are deducted, go to support C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.
Date: Thursday, November 28th
Time: 8:30 am
Location: Lakeshore Community Church
Private Sponsors Needed!
Do you want to make the Holidays brighter for our C.U.R.E. Families? YOU can sponsor a C.U.R.E. Family and make their Holidays great! Each child in the Family typically receives between 7 and 10 items. Depending on the size of the Family, we expect it will cost at least $250 to sponsor a Family (for your reference).
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 Amazon 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):
Holiday Light Show!
Be sure to check out the final season of the Holiday Light Show at Victor Hills this year! The Holiday Light Show at Victor Hills Golf Club is a five week long event featuring a drive through holiday light display designed to provide an affordable, family-friendly holiday outing. View the holiday spirit through a magical and colorful lens from the comfort of your own vehicle. a portion of the proceeds will be donated to c.u.r.e.
November 29th & 30th (5PM - Last Reservation 8pm) *Early Bird Special 25% off
December 6th & 7th (5PM - Last Reservation 8pm) * Early Bird Special 25% off
December 12th THRU 15th (5PM - Last Reservation 8pm)
December 17th THRU 24th(5PM - Last Reservation 8:30pm or FRI/SAT 8:45pm)
December 26th, 27th, & 28th(5PM - Last Reservation 8pm)
Event closed on Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day.
ROC The Day with C.U.R.E.!
United Way’s ROC The Day returns on Tuesday, December 3rd! It’s 24 hours of unprecedented community giving throughout the Greater Rochester community and it’s your chance to make a difference for local Families. You can participate by visiting the link below on Dec. 3rd to donate:
https://unitedwayrocflx.link/roc-the-day/causes/CURE
Be a ROCstar with us & ROC the day!
Qualified Charitable Distributions:
To transfer funds from your IRA to C.U.R.E., please follow these step-by-step instructions:
(1) Contact your financial advisor or representative at the financial institution that holds your IRA.
(2) Tell your representative that you wish to make a QCD from your IRA to C.U.R.E.
(3) Request a check made payable to “C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association” and indicate that it is a “qualified charitable distribution from the account of (your name).
(4) For wire transfers, contact request transfer instruction from C.U.R.E.
(5) Tax ID information: C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association Federal Tax ID: 51-0215037
(6) Please contact C.U.R.E. and let us know to expect a payment.
Please note that the maximum QCD is $100,000 per year per person, with married couples with separate IRAs eligible to give up to $200,000 per year. Transfers to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, private foundations, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities do not qualify. The transfer is tax-free and is not included in your adjusted gross income (AGI), thus there is no charitable deduction. A transfer is not subject to AGI limitations on charitable deductions. C.U.R.E. recommends you consult with your estate attorney and/or financial advisor prior to requesting a QCD to C.U.R.E.
LET’S GET TACKY!
It’s time to put on your best (or worst) Holiday/ Christmas/ Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa/ whatever sweater and party! Join us at Jack’s Extra Fancy on December 12th for drinks & fun! The ornament tree will be back, so be sure to bring cash.
Date: Thursday, December 12th
Time: 7p
Location: Jack’s Extra Fancy, 825 Atlantic Ave
Hope to see you there!
It’s Beanie Season!
The temps are cooling down outside. Be sure you’re prepared by purchasing one of our exclusive Love Your Melon + C.U.R.E. Beanies available in three options!
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 the holidays approaching, 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!
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.
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!
- 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!