December 2022 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.
Spotlight on: Dylan
Meet our friend, Dylan.
In October 2021, Dylan was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma pulling him from his active teenage life. As he wraps up an intense treatment plan, he is eager to tackle his Junior Year of High School, getting his Driver’s Permit, sitting behind the drum set, warming up the Varsity Football team and suiting up for Summer Soccer. His parents, 3 younger siblings, Family and Friends have been cheering him along from Day 1 and will continue to be his biggest fans as he is the toughest kid they know.
From mom:
”Being a part of the C.U.R.E. Family means that we don’t have to fight alone. C.U.R.E. has guided us and connected us with people that truly understand the emotions surrounding a cancer diagnosis. They have provided support to ease our minds, relieve burdens and strengthen our hope. They take care of the whole family, giving kids joy during tough times. We could not imagine our journey without them.”
Congratulations, Friends!
We are sending BIG Congratulations to our Friends Jack, Lili and Autumn who rang the End of Chemo Bell in November! Lili rang the End of Chemo Bell on November 2nd with her mom and grandparents. We celebrated with Lili by providing her favorite snack: an assortment of Hot Cheetos! Jack rang the bell on November 3rd and celebrated with his moms, brother and Oncologist. We celebrated with Jack by providing his favorite snack: an assortment of chocolate chip muffins (including some he could make on his own!). Autumn rang the End of Chemo Bell on November 11th with her family by her side. We celebrated Autumn with an assortment of snacks!
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.
If you are in need of support this Holiday Season, please check out this document that lists support services available locally.
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 Carol Austin if you are interested in a private fishing charter.
Any Teens with Sickle Cell Interested…
Dr. Noronha is trying to gauge interest from local teens with Sickle Cell Disease around having Zoom Meet Ups this summer. If you (or your child) is 13 years old - 17 years old and interested, please contact Dr. Noronha.
Donate Blood or Platelets!
Many of our children depend on blood transfusions and blood products in the course of their treatment. Our children are in need of blood products and you can help! Please consider donating blood if you are well enough to.
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 11/29/2022, THERE ARE 14,844 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.
79,761 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 11/29/2022)
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, West Herr Cares!
A great big Thank You to our Friends at West Herr Cares who donated 28 turkeys to our Families this Thanksgiving! We are so appreciative of you always keeping our Families in your hearts!
Thankful FORE Keller Williams!
Thank you to our Friends, The Pecoras, and everyone at Keller Williams for putting together the Keller Williams annual golf tournament and designating proceeds to our organization. This gesture was done in honor of Abby T. We are so grateful for this kindness and appreciate the time and effort that went into planning the event - especially because it had to be rescheduled due to weather!
Thank you, Friends.
Thank you, Lehigh Park Apartments
We are grateful for our Friends at Lehigh Park Apartments for thinking of us with their “Breakfast on the Run” program. Thank you for thinking of our Families and generating donations to further our mission.
Pennies for Aurora
Creekside Convenience Store, located on Route 78 in Hermitage, NY, had the pleasure this year to collect coins this past September in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. They are located out in the middle of farm country, and have campgrounds around them. This program was initiated to honor Fighter Aurora. Her grandmother shares: “I was proud to hand in the coins and bills we collected and look forward to participating next year.”
Be sure to check out Creekside Convenience Store if you are in the area! For The Love of Flour also participated in this endeavor. Be sure to check out their sweet treats, too!
Hats Off to You, Hatsgiving!
We absolutely love this donation every year and look forward to its arrival. Our Friends at Hatsgiving truly outdid themselves, once again, and sent us a really great package of winter hats which we will be distributing to our Children and their Siblings this winter!
Grazie, Guglielmo’s!
Thank you to our Friends at Guglielmo’s Homegrown Marinara Sauce for donating 80 jars of sauce for us to distribute to our Families! We appreciate your kindness!
Now, who’s having us over for dinner?!
WOW! Pops4Patients!
We were blown away by this awesome donation from our Friend Dan and Pops4Patients! We received a really great assortment of Funko Pops to distribute to our Kiddos at the Holiday Party and we are thrilled! Thank you for always thinking of our Families!
In memory of Grace…
We are the gracious recipients of these wonderful toys and gifts donated to our organization in memory of Grace. Her Family does something special to honor her memory and we are beyond touched to be included in the memorial. Thank you for thinking of us and our Children as you remember your sweet girl.
Running for a reason!
We are so grateful for those who made the Race With Grace 3.0 such a success! Robinhood Racing and Rochester Running Company did a fantastic job, along with Cathy Mucha, Bob Dyjak, Russ Herman and the Lakeshore Community Church. LOTS of love went into putting this event on Thanksgiving morning and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you to the volunteers who came out to spend your Thanksgiving morning with us, Chobani for the yogurt donation, TOPS Markets for the water donation, Frank for the bananas and Bakewise Bakery for the bagels.
Thank you for Running for a Reason this Thanksgiving holiday.
Thank you, Jacob, Chris and Kevin!
Thank you, Jacob, Chris and Kevin - three Board of Directors Members who have dedicated the past six years to making a difference to our C.U.R.E. Families. Your contributions of time, talent and treasure are valued and appreciated by the whole C.U.R.E. Family. Thank you for everything you’ve done to further our mission these past six years!
Shop our Amazon Smile Holiday Wish Lists
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
BOGO this Holiday Season
Buy One GIVE One this Holiday Season.
Our Holiday Heroes Campaign is kicking off and we are encouraging our Friends to buy a message and give some love to a special Hero in your life.
Recognize someone special: a neighbor, a medical professional, a little warrior…Heroes come in all sizes!
Hero Messages and Ads will be available digitally, but will also be printed in the Democrat & Chronicle and Canandaigua Post the week of Christmas. Share the Hero in your life with everyone around you.
Check out the Roc Holiday Light Show at Victor Hills this year! Drive through Victor Hills and view beautiful light displays! Open on Friday and Saturday evenings in December. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to C.U.R.E.!
It’s time to get tacky!
Our Annual Tacky Sweater Party is back again and we can’t wait to see your Tacky Sweaters! Nosh is kindly hosting us, once again, and offering food and drink specials where a portion of the sale will be donated to C.U.R.E.!
We have NEW features this year including:
- Guest Bartenders (Corey from 98PXY!)
- Holiday Toy Drive
- A Prize wheel
- Photos with Santa!
and more!
This is one event you WON’T want to miss!
As always, prizes will be awarded for the Tackiest Sweaters, so get your glue guns and Cricuts out! Great creative. And let’s kick off Holiday Celebration season with some fun!
Become a C.U.R.E. Ambassador!
Think we can get to 46 C.U.R.E. Ambassadors by the end of the year to recognize our 46 years of making a difference in the Rochester Community?
We’re half way there!
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.
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you?
Simply follow the instructions below to select "C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.
How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
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:
Winter is coming…
Get a-HEAD of the season and order your Love Your Melon + C.U.R.E. Beanie today! It’ll be winter before we know it.
These make great Holiday gifts, as the quality of Love Your Melon Hats is second to none. Wash and dry your hat as needed.
The best part? For every beanie purchased from Love Your Melon, they GIVE one to a child battling cancer!
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
Bereavement Group occurs on the first Wednesday of every month.
This month we will be hosting the Bereavement Meeting at Painting with a Twist located at 1100 Jefferson Road, Suite 10, Rochester, NY 14623 at 7 PM on December 7, 2022.
To sign up, see information below
The December 7th Bereavement Meeting will be offsite, but in person, at Painting with a Twist (1100 Jefferson Road, Suite 10, Rochester, NY 14623).
This event is free of charge to our Bereaved Parents participating. C.U.R.E. will provide some treats for our Bereaved Parents who will be painting in lieu of traditional Group.
RSVPs are required by December 2nd. Please click the button below to RSVP.
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
- Colored pencils/art pencils
- Universal phone chargers with long cords
- 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!
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. Sandal season is over, rock these cozy socks today!