September 2020 Newsletter
Welcome to the September 2020 Newsletter
September is Childhood Cancer & Sickle Cell Awareness Month…
September is a very important month to our organization. We, obviously, do our best to promote year round, but focus efforts on September even more.
There are many ways YOU can join us and raise awareness in September for Childhood Cancer & Sickle Cell Disease. Some ideas are:
Place a RED or GOLD bows outside your home. (Check this out on Amazon Smile)
Decorate the exterior of your house with RED or GOLD lights. (These gold lights can be ordered off Amazon Smile.)
Purchase a C.U.R.E. Lawn Sign for $15 at: https://curecca.ejoinme.org/cureawareness2020
Take photos of your town going GOLD or RED and share them on the C.U.R.E. Facebook Page or Instagram (tag us!).
Update your social media profile picture with the C.U.R.E. Awareness month frame
Host an apple cider stand in your neighborhood & donate the proceeds to your favorite childhood cancer or sickle cell charity.
Wear gold or red throughout the month! You can purchase an awareness ribbon to wear on your clothes here or here.
Change your ZOOM background to something that generates awareness!
Collect gift cards that we can distribute to our families.
Share your story! We are in search of childhood cancer or sickle cell advocates to share their story on our social media during September.
Purchase and sport our C.U.R.E. gear - wear it around town!
Chalk your walk! Write messages of hope on your driveway to spread awareness for your neighbors to see!
SHARE the facts and posts we post on our social media accounts with your network.
Check out the Awareness site here for more ideas!
Watch for our community coming out to support Awareness Month in September:
Rundell Memorial Library - The month of September
Town of Pittsford - The month of September
Larry Masci Electric (Webster) - The month of September
Town of Henrietta - The month of September
Webster Fire Department - The month of September
Kodak building downtown - The month of September
Rochester City Hall - The week of 9/21
The Metropolitan building downtown - The week of 9/21
Xerox building downtown - The week of 9/21
If your town goes gold or red, please take a picture and share it with us at staff@curekidscancer.com, our Facebook page, Instagram or here on our Website!
We are so excited about our partnership with locally owned Riley Joy Candle Co. These candles and melts smell like fall with cozy hints of chi tea and pumpkin spice. Proceeds of these candles, melts and car freshers go to C.U.R.E.!
Riley Joy Candle Company came to light during darkness when CEO Sara Brandel lost her baby girl, Riley Joy, at the very end of pregnancy. It has since become Sara's mission to make Riley's name live on by spreading light and happiness the way she knew her daughter would have.
Sara makes her candles from scratch in the basement of her home in Greece, NY and ships orders nationwide. Her collection has expanded from traditional candles and melts to room diffusers and car scents. Made from a soy base, Sara makes her candles as natural and soot free for safety and breathing reasons. Asthma has plagued Sara, but the USA, clean ingredients she uses allows her to burn candles in her home again. She makes candles in a small batch format to make sure every candle is made the exact same. Sara hopes to spread joy wherever a candle burns, bringing light back from the darkness.
Visit her website and order today:
https://rileyjoycandlecompany.com
A portion of proceeds from these special Pediatric Cancer Awareness Candles will be donated to C.U.R.E.!
Spotlight on: Maya
Meet our friend…
Maya is a thoughtful, sweet and spunky 9 year old little miss who was diagnosed with B Cell ALL (Leukemia) on April 7, 2020. She has a very long road ahead, but so far, she’s been a cancer fighting warrior! She takes full advantage of the good days and cherishes her time with her family.
She lives with her parents, John and Shannon, her amazing big sister, Ally, a
poodle named Lulu and a hamster named Franklin. When asked if there’s anything she wished for, she said she wishes we “could buy ANC at the store” (she’s been neutropenic for a week and counting)!
Programs & Resources for our Families:
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 Adella 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
Instagram: @curekidscancerTwitter: @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 Advocates 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.
Free National Park Pass Application
You will be required to include a signed statement from a licensed physician stating that you have a permanent disability. Here’s an example statement (that should be printed on letterhead and dated):
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is to certify that Name is a patient at the office/center. He/She has Type 1 Diabetes, which he/she is treated for here. If you have further questions or concerns, please call: XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Diabetes is a permanent and physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities including, but not limited to, the operation of the endocrine and digestive systems (major bodily functions). As such, diabetes is a physical disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. 12102; 28 C.F.R. 35.104.
Signed,
Licensed Physician
The pass provides admittance to the pass owner and accompanying passengers (in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle) to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies. Photo identification may be required to verify ownership. At many sites, the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours).
Free Lifetime Access Passes to US National Parks for anyone with Type 1 Diabetes (or other “disabilities”).
We are so thankful!
On Saturday, August 15th, a Craft and Vendor Fair took place at the Rush Creekside Inn.
The coordinator, Laurie, and all of the participants raised over $1,000.00 to benefit C.U.R.E. Thank you for all of your great work!
We had a great time!
A wonderful time was had at our August Parents’ Night Out. Thank you to all of the families that participated and to Genesee Waterways Center for hosting it!
2020 Poker Run
Thank you so much to everyone who made our 2020 Poker Run a success!
We are incredible appreciative of our tshirt sponsors:
Aflac Representative Stephen Campo, MBA
AllState representative Ryan Pogue Agency, Inc.
ASP Industries
Black Bird Design
Dewey Ave Smoke Shop
Dublin Corner Farm Brewery
Freebird Cycle Sales
Par-Keys Lounge
The Rush Creekside Inn
We appreciate the supporters who came out and the volunteers who helped make it happen.
A special thank you to our partners at the Rush Creekside Inn who have been collecting 50/50 sales as part of their Wednesday Cruise Nights and generated $2,100 for our families!
Thank you also to Jen Gendron for organizing a great event!
Upcoming Fundraising Events:
Collaborate and get creative with friends, family and co-workers!
We are looking for awesome basket donations! They should be valued between $50 - 250, please. To schedule a drop off time, please contact the office (585.473.0180 or staff@curekidscancer.com). Please drop off baskets no later than September 9th.
Some basket theme ideas to get your creative juices flowing…
- Unicorns!
- Legos
- Moscow Mules
- Margaritas
- 2020 Quarantine Survival Kit
- Essential Oils/relaxation
- Taco Night
- Family game night
- Bloody Mary Mixes
- Breakfast for the family
- Coffee Lovers Basket
You can still COME THROUGH FOR OUR FAMILIES…
We are not going to deprive our dedicated supporters of the delicious food and auction that you look forward to every year!
In partnership with the American Culinary Federation: Rochester’s Professional Chef Association, we have reimagined our Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Chef Event and will be sharing the culinary delights of these professional chefs in a Drive Thru Event on Sunday, September 27th. We hope you’ll consider Coming Through For Families.
Itinerary:
Thursday, September 24th @ 7PM: Join us for a live program featuring C.U.R.E. families as well as a fun kickoff to our Virtual Auction
Thursday, September 24th - Sunday, September 27th: Bid on auction items virtually!
Sunday, September 27th 11AM - 1PM: Experience the incredible food prepared by our friends at the American Culinary Federation: Rochester’s Professional Chefs Association in one of two reservation slots.
Sunday, September 27th @ 7PM: Join us for a live program featuring C.U.R.E. families as well as our Live Auction! (stay tuned to our social media for a preview of available items!)
Our auction is virtually amazing!
Be sure to register early so you can check our auction out as soon as it opens! Bidding will run from Thursday, September 24th and end on Sunday, September 27th.
You can bid and view our auction from virtually anywhere!
Winners will be able to pick up their winnings the week following the event.
We will deliver in the Greater Rochester area (within 50 miles of the C.U.R.E. office - 200 Westfall Road, 14620 - for a $25 fee).
We might be able to mail baskets for the cost of shipping, but will not be able to send alcohol.
Support C.U.R.E.’s mission…
Come tend to our garden!
What a great way to practice social distancing and make our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden beautiful. We could really use some help with weeding, pruning and getting our garden ready for the season. To ensure our friends are practicing proper social distancing, please sign up on our online form. Click below. Duties include weeding the front and the back gardens as well as pruning our bushes! Please also call the office if you are in need of tools or supplies. We have limited tools, but call us - we’ll chat (and basically, we miss people…so feel free to call!).
Embrace the Difference
It’s kind to #stayhome! Now more than ever the charities and organizations in our communities need our support. We’re releasing a limited edition run of new designs that support the stay at home order that is uniting our nation. A variety of tees, tanks and sweatshirts are available now in colors that will lift your soul!
For these limited edition apparel items, $10 from every purchase is donated to the participating charity of your choice.
Shop Amazon Smile!
Don’t forget to select “C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association” as your favorite charity while shopping! We get a percentage of the sale. Easy peasy!
Did you know that you can now utilize Amazon Smile on your Amazon App?! Check it out!
CauseWash
Purchase three car washes through the link in the button below and HELP LOCAL FAMILIES! If you typically get your car washed at Classy Chassy, Delta Sonic or LaserWash, you can give back to families all while getting a deal on your washes! Click below to learn more!
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. Now that the weather is improving, we hope to see all our friends rocking these socks around town!
Exclusive partnership with Love Your Melon!
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
September Bereavement Meeting
Please join us for our bereavement group this month on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020. We will be hosting group outside at the C.U.R.E. office’s Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden (200 Westfall Rd. Rochester, NY 14620) from 7-8:30 pm. Michelle Magin, C.U.R.E.’s Parent Advocate, Liz & Paul Conrow and Debra Zalar (bereaved parents), will be leading this meeting. For further questions, please contact Michelle at michelle.magin@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!
- Toys (Please look at our Amazon Wish List at: https://a.co/8vA1taZ for ideas and easy purchasing.)
- Gift cards for Wegmans, Tops, Wal-Mart, Target and gas cards
- Gift cards for GrubHub, McDonalds, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, Moe’s, Chipotle, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks
- Musical instruments (our kiddos are BORED!! We would love to offer instruments to keep them busy while they are isolating. Used instruments are fine as long as they are in working order. Preferably no wind instruments as disinfecting would be difficult).
- Weighted blankets
- Essential oils
- Mini diffusers
- Heating pads
- Crafts for young adults and children
- Facial Cleansing Wipes and body wash
- Items for teens or young adults
- Legos
We ask that all items be new and recently purchased. Thank you!
