August 2025 Newsletter
Once upon a time, a group of Parents each lost a Child to Pediatric Cancer. They were faced with many challenges but worked together to form C.U.R.E. with the hope of helping future Families who also receive that devastating diagnosis.
Life is not a fairy tale, but fairy tales pose challenges to the characters involved and the Village comes together to try to help overcome the challenges. C.U.R.E.’s mission is to provide loving support to local Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Families. We aim to be the Village of support that wraps our arms around our Families to help them through their challenges.
Every Family’s story is different. C.U.R.E. travels alongside our Families through their unique stories to help wherever we can.
Our theme for 2025 is Fairytales!
Congratulations, Diane!
We are so grateful that you joined our crew just one year ago, Diane! Your compassion, wisdom and positivity are all such wonderful additions to our Team. You are connecting our Bereaved Families, offering a level of understanding and kindness that is second-to-none. The thoughtfulness you put into every interaction does not go unnoticed. Thank you for trusting the process and helping to develop a support for Bereaved Families that is sure to touch the lives of so many. We are so grateful to have you here with us!
Welcome new Board Members!
Welcome, Kristin Cook!
Welcome, Julia Ippolito!
Welcome, Sabrina Bremer!
Check out: “What I Wish I knew…”
We are sharing a new series of YouTube videos called “What I Wish I Knew”. They will be from the perspective of Parents, Caregivers, Providers and more. Check out our first two!
Meet Noreen Allen & Learn About Sickle Cell Anemia:
Pediatric Hematology Oncology has been a staple for a majority of my nursing career: 11 yrs at bedside and a little over 5 yrs as the Inpatient Discharge Care Coordinator/Nurse Navigator on 7 North. And for the past year and a half, I have had the absolute pleasure of working as the outpatient Pediatric Hematology Nurse Navigator, primarily caring for patients and families living with Sickle Cell Anemia. Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin. Patients with Sickle Cell make abnormally shaped red blood cells that are prone to causing blockage of blood vessels, which can lead to recurrent pain, infection, and stroke. Over time, different organs of the body may become damaged, including the spleen, lungs, brain, kidneys, eyes, and skin. But not every person will suffer all complications. In fact, with new advances in Sickle Cell management, length and quality of life of patients with sickle cell have improved significantly.
I have been learning so much about Sickle Cell and how it affects our patients and families. I have been able to get to know the patients and families and help them learn more about their disease and navigate barriers to care. One aspect of living with Sickle Cell is pain. These pain crises can be mild to severe and affect the patient’s daily life. In addition to pain medications, patients are encouraged to rest, increase hydration, and use heat to help with the pain. C.U.R.E. has been able to help get many of our patients heating pads to help them during these crises, which patients and families have been grateful for. Living with a chronic illness has its struggles but being a part of a team and community that genuinely cares has been the most rewarding part. I look forward to continuing this amazing work with some of the most inspiring individuals I've ever known.
Congratulations, Kinsley & My’Truett!
We are so excited to celebrate our C.U.R.E. Friends who celebrated finishing chemo recently!
We were delighted to invite Kinsley, her mom, dad and big sister to our office to ring the End of Chemo Bell and add her handprint to our Handprints of Hope wall! We gifted Kinsley with lots of great toys and her favorite snacks: Popcorners and Funions. Big sister picked out a toy for herself, too: a remote control car!
My’Truett joined us with many members of his family. He rang the End of Chemo Bell and added his handprint to our Handprints of Hope wall, too! We were so excited to have so many members of his family join us. He was gifted a bubble lawn mower and other fun toys. The C.U.R.E. Team also surprised My’Truett with his favorite snacks to keep the celebration going: gummy bears and Cheez Its. Each sibling picked out a stuffed animal especially for them to take home!
Spotlight on: Apollo
Meet our Friend, Apollo.
Hi! My name is Apollo-Pharell but my family calls me “The Champ” because I was born to fight. Shortly after my 2nd birthday, a large tumor was found in my chest and I was diagnosed with TC Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma: a rare blood cancer. I’ve been fighting for my life ever since & underwent a series of procedures and chemotherapy treatments within this past year. I have finally reached a maintenance phase of treatments that cure my chronic illness. I don’t always feel my best and sometimes I don’t have the energy to play like most toddlers, but every day I make the most out of life. I will continue to fight with hopes to knock out cancer for good and to be an encouragement for lil’ people like me to keep fighting cancer & all chronic illnesses.
Look out cancer, The Champ has arrived!
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!
Our Parents had a TEE-rific time!
Last month, our Parents spent a night out mini golfing at Parkside Whispering Pines! They had a HOLE lotta fun connecting with one another and enjoying a little friendly competition!
Monthly PNOs give our amazing parents a chance to relax and connect with others who are going through similar situations - they truly get it.
Thanks to the support of our community, C.U.R.E. is able to create spaces like this for our Families because connection is so important and it lets our Families know they are never alone in their battles.
Raising Awareness Together!
We enjoyed coming together to raise awareness in honor and in memory of our Little Warriors. Our Parents came together this month to create awareness ribbon door hangers they can put on their doors for September Awareness Month (or all year long!) This was a special joint Parents’ Night Out with our Bereaved Parents, too. We enjoyed coming together, being creative and sharing about our Warriors!
Thank you, Buffalo Bills!
We are so grateful to the Buffalo Bills for offering us tickets to the Community VIP Tent at Training Camp! Five of our Families got the thrill of meeting their heroes: the Buffalo Bills players! Each player was so kind and spent time with each of our Families, signing memorabilia and taking photos. Thank you for making dreams come true, Buffalo Bills!
Red Wings Game
Our Families had the BEST night at Wilmot’s Cancer Survivors’ Night with the Red Wings in July. We provided 75 tickets to our Families to celebrate Survivorship and enjoy a night out at the ballpark. These events are so meaningful because they bring our Families together and give them the opportunity to connect outside of the hospital setting.
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.
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 or Elena 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.
81,106 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 05/16/2025)
Bereavement Group
Bereaved Family Picnic - Sunday, August 24, 2025
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Genesee Valley Park - Tupelo Shelter
(RSVPs were due August 1st)
September Bereavement Group - Parent Night Out
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
Join us for mac & cheese at 58 Main BBQ & Brew
58 N. Main Street
Brockport, NY 14420
RSVP is required - limited to 10 parents
October Bereavement Group
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - 7:00 p.m.
C.U.R.E. Office
200 Westfall Road
Rochester, NY 14620
No RSVP Required
SAVE THE DATE
C.U.R.E. Annual Remembrance Service
Sunday, October 26, 2025 - 2:00 p.m.
Italian American Community Center
150 Frank Dimino Way
Rochester, NY 14624
Further info to follow soon. RSVP will be required.
Not on our Bereaved Family mailing address or in our private FaceBook page? Click the button below to be added or contact Diane at (585) 473-0180 x105.
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
This year's 10th Annual Patrick Carr Memorial Golf Tournament presented by ASP Industries & Brighton Securities was one for the books!
We are so grateful for all of the sponsors, community partners, donors, volunteers & participants who made this event possible! This year, we had 192 golfers in attendance and 15+ volunteers who made it a fun and exciting day! We even had our first EVER Helicopter Ball Drop sponsored by UDN Construction to tee off the day on a HIGH note!
THANK YOU to everyone who showed their support leading up to and out on the green. You are letting our Families know they are not alone in their battles and our community stands with them.
Head on over to our Facebook page to check out all the pictures from the event!
Mark your calendars: next year’s event will be Monday, July 20th, 2025!
Little Speed Shop offered FAST support!
Our Friends at The Little Speed Shop know how to do Saturday morning coffee! They had so many people with exotic, fancy and beautiful cars come out to their July Cars & Coffee event. They kindly asked participants to make a donation to C.U.R.E. Their efforts helped to raise just over $1,000 for our organization! We loved seeing all the sweet rides and appreciate being included in such a fun event! Thanks so much!
You ROCK, ROC That Cookie!
Opening a business is no easy task, but planning a GRAND Opening is certainly a challenge! We were so grateful that our Friends at ROC That Cookie included us in their special day! With a wide array of vendors ranging from Pizza to Gourmet Sodas to Permanent Jewelry and more, this grand opening was a ton of fun! Each vendor contributed 10% of what they earned that day to C.U.R.E. to help us further our mission. We are so grateful for this kindness.
Be sure to check out ROC That Cookie in Hilton at 10 Old Hojack Road. Word on the street is she’s going to be offering a Funfetti Cookie with Gold Icing for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!
Christmas in July filled our hearts (and helped fill our shelves)!
Christmas in July is so important to C.U.R.E. as it helps us replenish our toy supply in preparation for the Holidays. We will also be utilizing items donated at our first ever Bereaved Family Picnic! We will be giving C.U.R.E. Siblings a toy to take home. Additionally, we give toys to C.U.R.E. Kiddos celebrating finishing treatment at our Bell Ringing Ceremonies and let Sibs pick out an item all their own - because we know a childhood cancer diagnosis affects the whole Family. YOUR kindness gives our Kids more options to choose from and is helping us ready for the Holiday season where we expect to provide support to more than 50 Families. Thank you!
Holiday Hill Campers are Making an Impact!
We are so grateful for our friends at Holiday Hill Campground who chose to support C.U.R.E. and our families at their annual picnic! Last month, campers came together as a community and sold goods, raffle tickets and more! Together, they raised $1,900 for our Families! We are so thankful for their kindness and for supporting our mission.
Thank you, Campers!
Keeping Tabs on Tabs!
Did you know C.U.R.E. collects aluminum can tabs all year round? Through the ‘Keeping Tabs On Cancer with Hailey’ program, our Friend, Hailey collects the tabs and recycles them to help pay for hospital parking vouchers for our Families!
Our friends, like Tatum here, have dropped off plentiful bags of can tabs this summer to help support our Families! A BIG thank you to Tatum and all those who have contributed to our collection - you are making an impact on our Families!
Please give a hand for our Advocates of the Month….
Cheré & Lisa!
This month, we would like to recognize the dynamic duo - Cheré and Lisa Miceli!
Cheré and Lisa are dedicated volunteers who love helping at our events! They’ve joined us at the 5k Fun Run & Walk and the Golf Tournament this year and are always ready to take on the day with the biggest smiles and can-do attitudes! The C.U.R.E. staff knows Cheré and Lisa will take on any task handed to them, even when plans have shifted. They are reliable, trustworthy and always brighten our day with their positivity!
In addition to all their amazing volunteer work, they also contributed to our Christmas in July campaign and donated gifts to be used at the holidays!
We are so grateful for their continuous support and stepping in to help whenever needed. Thank you Cheré and Lisa!
Sunday Brunch Volunteers Needed!
Calling all amazing volunteers - help us at our biggest fundraiser of the year! We will need a TON of volunteer help on Sunday, September 28th the day of the event. This includes registration and check-in, dining room set up, dining room service, silent auction duty, clean up and truck loading.
If you are interested in helping, reach out to Sammi Jo for more information. Thank you!
Say Cheese!
We are looking for local photographers who would be willing to donate their time occasionally to photograph our End of Chemo Bell Ringings in the office. If you are interested in joining our volunteer email list for this project, please click the box below. When we are notified of an upcoming End of Chemo Bell Ringing, we will reach out to our network of photographers and will work on a first-come-first-here basis. We would love to build up our volunteer photographer list for these special occasions!
Come Tend to Our Garden
We are looking for volunteers to lovingly tend to our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden. Volunteers would adopt a week and come anytime during that week that works with their schedules. We ask that our Friends prune our plants and trees, clean out around our Memorial Bricks and weed our garden beds.
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
Calling all Former Board Members:
If you served on the Board of Directors for C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association, we would love to stay connected! We are hoping to plan an Alumni Board event in the near future! Please email Holly Dutcher to connect!
holly.dutcher@curekidscancer.com
Once Upon A Time… there were noble Knights and radiant Princesses who ruled the kingdom! Though small in stature, they were mighty in spirit! But they couldn’t defeat the dragons of cancer alone…
We cordially invite you to join us at the 17th Annual Recipe for A C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch presented by West Herr Cares on September 28th at Arbor at the Port! Help us honor those brave Knights and Princesses at our biggest event of the year! We will be joined by the American Culinary Federation as they provide delicious bites and treats fit for kings and queens!
We are honored to have Sandy Waters & Scott Spezzano as our storytellers this year, hosting the event and leading our ENCHANTING Live Auction!
Can’t make the event? Don’t worry! You can still partake in our virtual Silent Auction with 200+ baskets, you’re bound to find something for everyone!
Raffle Baskets Needed!
We are in need of Raffle Baskets to be auctioned off in our Silent Auction as part of the Recipe for a C.U.R.E. Sunday Brunch presented by West Herr Cares! Ideas for baskets can include local business gift cards, lottery tickets, experiences, male themed, spa, alcohol, spring themed, etc. Price point value should be between $50-$200.
We ask that all baskets be dropped off to the C.U.R.E. office by August 31st.
If you are interested in donating, please reach out to Sammi Jo to coordinate. Click the button below to send an email directly to her:
Be sure to stay up-to-date with all things Awareness in September!
Raising Awareness. Inspiring Hope.
Using our template, you can customize our 2025 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month shirt designs! Add your Warrior’s name to be included in the center of the circle or purchase one honoring all Childhood Cancer Warriors. A portion of each sale will be donated to C.U.R.E. to help further our mission.
Please help us raise awareness and continue the loving support our Families have come to know, appreciate and rely on.
No One Fights Alone.
Join us in raising awareness during September with our Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Signs. We also have Sickle Cell Awareness Month Signs available for purchase! Signs will be delivered to our office mid-August and will be available for pick up. Stay tuned for pick-up dates and times.
Blue Knights New York IV: Cruise for C.U.R.E. 2025
Join the Blue Knights IV New York in their very first Cruise for C.U.R.E.! Bikes and cars welcome.
Saturday, August 23rd at the Harvey C. Noone American Legion Post #954 (6444 Buffalo Road, Churchville, NY).
Registration @ 9:30 AM; Kickstands up @ 11 AM
Gather together for some great food afterwards as well as raffles!
Looking for a fun family project? All proceeds from the sale of vintage miniature furniture kits from minisbycm.etsy.com will go directly to C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association. Each kit costs $12 and contains everything needed to build a piece or set of dollhouse furniture. Please spread the word!
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:
-Click the button below to visit the website.
-Use discount code: CURECC1 at checkout.
-Get a discount AND make a difference!
34th Annual Race With Grace 5k & 10k!
Looking to run off the carbs before feasting on Thanksgiving? Sign up for the Race with Grace Run! Runners can choose from the 5k or 10k and participate in the 34th year of the event:
Date: Thursday, November 27th
Time: 8:30 am EST
Location: Lakeshore Community Church 3651 LATTA RD. ROCHESTER NY 14612
Runners and volunteers are needed! Click the link below to sign up:
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.
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 Graduations 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!).
We also have exclusive bracelets here at C.U.R.E. with our logo on them that make beautiful gifts!
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!
- 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
- Gifts 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!