September 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.
September is Awareness Month!
There is a LOT going on this month for Awareness Month!
Be sure to check out our specific Awareness page to keep up!
Get Cheesey with us with our Liquid Gold for C.U.R.E. Challenge
LOTS of towns and areas issuing proclamations
Be on the lookout for the flamboyances of flamingos
Spotlight on: Zeke
Meet our Friend, Zeke.
Zeke is a 6 1/2 year old who was diagnosed with B-Cell A.L.L. (Leukemia) in January 2023. He’s now halfway through Delayed Intensification and is looking forward to some (hopefully) easier treatment days ahead! Zeke is a math rockstar and does lots of outdoor activities with his parents. Outside, you can often find him hiking, biking, whittling, or playing ghosts in the graveyard with neighborhood friends. He also has a keen interest in Pokémon, Lego, and adventure fantasy book series (Harry Potter and Percy Jackson). He is an amazing and strong warrior!
Congratulations, Jacob & Jeffrey!
Sending a BIG congratulations to Jacob and Jeffrey as they celebrated the end of treatment with us at the C.U.R.E. office. Jacob celebrated with his mom, dad and brother! He loved his bags of his favorite: cheddar cheese chips! Jeffrey celebrated with his mom, dad and sister. We were thrilled to treat him to his favorite snack: chocolate chip cookies! We are grateful to add their handprints to our Handprints of Hope Wall and continue to wish them well.
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!
September Parents’ Night Out
On Wednesday, September 20th, C.U.R.E. Parents’ Night Out will be with Rochester Pedal Tours. Join us as pedal through downtown seeing various sights and buildings lit up gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness. Be sure to watch for Program emails and the Closed Parent Facebook Group for sign up information.
SAVE THE DATE!
Morton Family Fun Day for C.U.R.E. Families
Saturday, September 30, 2023
You should receive your Postcards soon. If you don’t receive them, please call the office or email Carol at carol.austin@curekidscancer.com to RSVP.
C.U.R.E. Parents’ Night Out
It’s Spooky Szn!!! C.U.R.E. Parents’ Night Out! Friday, October 13th at 7:00 p.m. Watch for Program emails and the Closed Parent Facebook Group for sign up information or call Carol at the office at 585-473-0180
November Parents’ Night Out
November Parents’ Night at Lasertron in Henrietta on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Watch for Program emails and the Closed Parent Facebook Group for sign up information or call Carol at the office at 585-473-0180.
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 Captain Ned if you are interested in a private fishing charter.
Our Friends at Catching Dreams have been busy turning wishing into fishing this summer! Check out these pictures to see how much fun our Kiddos have been having!
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 8/01/2023, THERE ARE 14,988 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.
80,883 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 8/01/2023)
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
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, 2023, they’re accepting applications for the 2024-’25 school year.
To learn more, please visit: https://cancerforcollege.org/application-faqs/, or contact CFC at applications@cancerforcollege.org.
Thank you, 81.
We had so much fun at Sodus Point Bike Weekend on August 12th. A huge thank you to the event coordinators for including us. We are so grateful for your kindness. Just under $800 was raised to help our Families! Thank you for inviting us and letting us be a part of the fun day!
Ready for the first day!
A huge thank you to Lynne, Randy and the whole CURE Bears for Hope and Love Family for contributing over 40 backpacks for our C.U.R.E. Kids and Sibs! Packed full of all the supplies they would need for the school year, our C.U.R.E. Kids and Sibs are ready for school thanks to your kindness! Thank you for getting us back-to-school ready!
Thank you, Genesee Valley Agency!
We are so appreciative of Genesee Valley Agency for choosing to support C.U.R.E. in August. They gave their employees the opportunity to choose a charity to donate to and someone chose us! We are so humbled! We can’t wait to continue to grow our relationship and advocacy for childhood cancer and blood disorder awareness!
Thank you for letting our Families know they are not alone!
Thank you, Putney Family!
The Putney family organized two fundraisers this month: Aurora’s BBQ + Baskets and a Square Dancing event! Together they raised $2,800 for C.U.R.E. and in honor of their angel, Aurora.
Thank you for your unwavering support and love, Putney Family! Your hard work and dedication make such a difference in our Families’ lives.
Congratulations, Michelle!
Michelle Lebel and her team are dedicated to our community, so much that Erie Insurance Company recognized Michelle at their Annual Conference in June! From sending meals to first responders, outfitting K-9s in the police force with bullet proof vests, and advocating and supporting C.U.R.E., they sure stay busy and regularly show their commitment to our Community. C.U.R.E. was chosen to receive $3,000 in Michelle’s honor through this special recognition! Thank you so much for all that you do, especially for our Families!
Mac Daddy 2022
A big congratulations to our Friends at Pub 235 who were the 2022 Mac Daddy Award Winners. Their Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese brought in the most customers last year! They’re participating again this year, too! Check out all our participants this September:
Come Tend to our Garden!
We are looking for Friends to come help honor our Angel Kiddos and take care of our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden. The sign ups are set for Sundays at 9 AM, but you can come any time you want during that week.
It’s so important that our garden looks beautiful for our little Angels. We are so appreciative of our Volunteers.
Caring for our garden includes pruning trees and shrubs and weeding the garden beds and Remembrance Walkway.
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
Can’t make it to the event?
That’s ok! You can still bid!
Race With Grace 2023: 5k & 10k
We hope you’ll consider joining us on Thanksgiving morning for our 32nd annual Race With Grace.
New this year: a 5k course!
Proceeds benefit C.U.R.E. to support our mission.
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.
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
There will be no September Bereavement Group meeting. Please join us in October.
Please reach out to 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!
- Buffalo Bills items (hats, gloves, socks, etc.) for teen gifts
- 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!