February 2026 Newsletter
C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association is celebrating 50 years of impact, hope, and walking alongside Families during their most difficult times. As we honor the legacy built by our Founders, Supporters & Families, we’re also preparing for an exciting future. While we take pride in how far we’ve come, we’re even more energized by what’s ahead. Big, exciting things are on the horizon—the next chapter of C.U.R.E. is just the beginning.
Welcome, New Board Members
Please join us in welcoming two new Board members to our Board of Directors:
Kevin McAlpin
Sarah Stymus
Welcome our Spring Interns, Emma & Laura!
Congratulations, Friends!
The Holiday season is incredibly busy for the C.U.R.E. Team between planning and executing the Holiday Party and facilitating Holiday Gift Assistance, so we were unable to host End of Chemo Bell Ringings in our office. We would like to recognize all our Friends who rang the End of Chemo Bell at the Hospital from October through January:
Emily, Sophie, Luca, John, Yvonne, Briella, Omar, Jackson and Joseph!
We look forward to you coming to our office to add your handprint to our Handprints of Hope wall!
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.
Spotlight on: Joseph
Meet our Friend, Joseph!
Joseph is 8 months old and trying solid foods! He loves to take a bite out of his parents’ bananas. He loves to play and talk to the nurses during the day. They are his best friends!
Joseph was diagnosed with AML at 2 months old in 2025. He spent 28 days in the PICU and spent the rest of his time on treatment on 7North. He was hospitalized for nearly 6 months and has now finished treatment! He rang the End of Chemo Bell on January 30th and is now home!
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!
January Parents’ Night Out - Sound Immersion Class
C.U.R.E.’s January Parents’ Night Out on Thursday, January 29th was a Sound Immersion Class at Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center.
This meditative experience gave C.U.R.E. Parents a chance to “refresh and renew.” “Bathed” in sound waves produced by various sources, including healing instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, percussion, chimes, rattles, tuning forks.
C.U.R.E. will be offering Parents more opportunities like this in the future, so keep checking those program emails and the closed parent Facebook group.
If you are not receiving the program emails, please reach out to Carol at carol.austin@curekidscancer.com for assistance.
CANDICE’S SICKLE CELL FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Candice’s Sickle Cell Anemia Fund, Inc., is a powerful initiative founded by Candice Young-Deler, who has courageously overcome the challenges of living with Sickle Cell Disease. Inspired by her own academic journey, Candice created this scholarship to support students living with Sickle Cell who are pursuing higher education.
Each year, the fund awards $1,500 scholarships to three deserving individuals, helping ease the financial burden and recognize their resilience and determination. These scholarships not only provide financial support but also affirm the strength and potential of students facing chronic health challenges.
💡 Why It Matters:
Students with Sickle Cell often face painful health episodes that disrupt their education. This fund helps ensure that their dreams of college and career success remain within reach.
📬 Want to support or apply?
Visit candicessicklecellfund.org to learn more, donate, or share the opportunity with someone who may benefit.
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.
81,112 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 02/05/2026)
Bereavement Group
February Bereavement Group
At our February meeting, we enjoyed an evening of meaningful conversation and created a Valentine’s Remembrance Craft.
March Bereavement Group
Scents by Radiance is joining us for a candle making workshop!
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 - 7:00 p.m.
C.U.R.E. Office
103 White Spruce Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14623
RSVP Is Required
call: (585) 473-0181 x105
or
email: diane.valentine@curekidscancer.com
Not on our Bereaved Family mailing address list 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
Grateful for Race With Grace!
Thank you to our Friends at Lakeshore Community Church and Rochester Running Co. for their continued support of the annual Race With Grace 5K & 10K! Held every Thanksgiving morning, this beloved tradition continues to grow year after year and stands out as one of the only Thanksgiving races that gives back to a local charity.
Behind the scenes, the planning committee begins months in advance to coordinate every detail, making the day fun for the whole family. Their commitment truly shows as this year, over 800 runners and walkers attended!
We are so grateful for the heart, time, and energy poured into this event each year. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to supporting our Families — we’re honored to be part of such a meaningful community tradition.
Community, Celebration & Giving!
At the beginning of December, the Italian American Community Center hosted its 34th Annual Christmas Gala, an evening filled with delicious food, lively music, great conversation, and plenty of dancing. The holiday spirit was truly felt throughout the room.
C.U.R.E. was honored to be one of three local nonprofits selected to receive a donation that evening. We are incredibly grateful to the IACC for their generosity and for their wholehearted belief in our mission to support local Families. A generous $2,000 donation was presented by Joe DiFabio, past C.U.R.E. Chairman of the Board and Board Member, to Sam Meloni, a current C.U.R.E. Board Member — both proud members of the IACC.
Thank you again for your kindness and continued support of our Families.
Going Gold for C.U.R.E.!
Our Friend, Rylie, organized the 1st Annual Go-Gold Game with her family to help bring awareness to Childhood Cancer in her hometown!
The Go-Gold Game was held on January 20th at a Boys Varsity Basketball game between Bath-Haverling & Campbell Savona. Between donations and homemade bracelet & pin sales, they raised $1,000!
We are so grateful for Rylie starting this fundraiser game and bringing awareness in her community! Thank you to all who played, donated, and participated!
February’s Advocate of the Month is…
Anita & Friends!
Our C.U.R.E. Family long-time volunteer, Anita brought her wonderful friends Lois, Bonnie and Debbie (not pictured) to help during the holidays with sorting and wrapping gifts for our Holiday Party and sponsoring Families at the Holidays. Their many, many days of organizing and wrapping brought such a bright light to the C.U.R.E. office as they dedicated an immense amount of time to helping us. They’ve also helped to organize donations we received during the holidays, making it easier for our Team to select gifts and toys to distribute to C.U.R.E. Kids and Sibs throughout the year. Their tireless dedication truly is so impactful and appreciated beyond measure.
Thank you for loving our organization and committing so much time to helping us further our mission!
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!
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
TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK!
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, February 26th!
Please join us as we return to Comedy @ the Carlson for a our 10th Annual Trivia Night. It’s sure to be a good time with food, drinks, raffles, friends and of course, TRIVIA!
Registration is open now through February 18th. Don’t wait, reserve your team’s spot today!
Join us for C.U.R.E.’s Family-Friendly 5K & Fun Walk! We’ll kick off the day at MCC and hit the course together for a fun, feel-good event that brings our community together.
This is one of C.U.R.E.’s biggest and most loved fundraisers—especially among our C.U.R.E. Families! Whether you’re racing the 5K or enjoying a one-mile walk, you’ll be surrounded by encouragement, energy, and hopeful hearts every step of the way.
As C.U.R.E. celebrates 50 years of supporting local Families affected by childhood cancer and blood disorders ,we invite participants to help carry that legacy forward by fundraising. Every dollar raised stays local and provides critical support to Families when they need it most.
READY… SET Up Your Fundraising Team… & GO Register!
Totally Rad Time!
The Totally 80’s Cupid Ball with NERDS GONE WILD will take place on Friday, February 13th!
Join us for a totally rad time! You could win an overnight stay and play at Batavia Downs Casino! Drink specials and many more prizes and giveaways:
When: Friday, February 13th
Time: Starts @ 7p, Band @ 9p
Where: Buntsy’s Band Stand - 2225 Empire Blvd, Webster, NY 14580
Daytona 500 Watch Party!
Our Friends at ZIGGY’s, along with the Little Speed Shop, are hosting a Daytona 500 Watch Party! Come for zooming vibes, drink specials, giveaways, and good competition! There will be a fantasy driver competition as well as some racing of our own!
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to C.U.R.E.!
When: Sunday, February 15th
Time: Starts @ 1p
Where: ZIGGY’s - 127 Railroad St, Rochester, NY 14609
Henry Layne Agency Making a Difference!
Be sure to reach out to our friends at Henry Layne Insurance Agency to get a free quote from April 6th through May 29th.
For every quote, they will donate $10 to C.U.R.E.!
Call them at 585-486-4790 to receive your quote for C.U.R.E!
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 incredible!
PeachSkin Sheets are the coziest, softest bedsheets… you'll INSTANTLY fall in love, or asleep! Purchase a set now through December 15th and 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, the discount is specific to that link.
-Get a discount AND make a difference!
Grateful Giving
Grateful Giving is a platform and mobile app that connects individual donors and businesses with nonprofits that need support to carry out their mission.
When you sign up, Grateful Giving allows individuals to automatically donate a portion of their spending to selected charities. It operates through a software platform that connects users with over 1.5 million non-profits, transforming everyday purchases into automated micro-donations to support causes. For individuals, this involves connecting a bank account or credit card to the service, which then sends a small percentage of daily spending to a chosen charity. For businesses, it can be used to give back to customers' favored causes or to make automatic donations for purchases, referrals, and birthdays, with the business paying for the donation as a thank you.
For individuals
Connect your accounts: Link your bank account or credit card to the Grateful Giving platform.
Set up giving: Choose to automatically donate a small percentage of your daily spending to a charity you care about.
Select a charity: Choose from a database of over 1.5 million 501(c)(3) charities.
For businesses
Partner with Grateful Giving:
The business pays a subscription fee to use the platform.
Automate donations:
The platform makes automatic micro-donations on behalf of the business for customer purchases, referrals, or employee/customer birthdays.
Pay for the donation:
The business pays for the donation as a way to thank customers or employees and support social good.
Enhance customer loyalty:
Businesses can align with causes their customers care about, increasing loyalty and customer retention.
How it helps
Simplifies giving:
It makes it easy for both individuals and businesses to give to charity through automated, regular donations.
Supports charities:
It provides a consistent funding source for a wide range of non-profit organizations.
Builds community:
It fosters deeper connections by allowing businesses to support causes that are important to their customers, employees, and communities.
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 see our Wish Lists below:
- Shop our Walmart Wish List here: https://www.walmart.com/lists/holiday-wishlist/a31ff2c6-8f70-4472-b862-93f8969c18fc
- Shop 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!