May 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, Michelle & Carol!
There’s a whole lot to celebrate in May: Michelle’s 6 year anniversary of being a Parent Advocate with C.U.R.E. and Carol’s 3 year anniversary of being our Program Coordinator!
Michelle, your kind, compassionate heart shines through every day with our Families. The care you show to each and every one of our Families is comforting, meaningful and valuable. Thank you for six years of loving support for Families facing the unimaginable. We can’t wait to see all you continue to do in the coming year!
Carol, your love for what you do and for our Families is a bright light. The Parents’ Night Out opportunities, creative ways you work our annual theme into your events and compassion for our Families continue to give our Programming so much depth. This coming year is sure to be filled with even more support for our Families. Thank you for your dedication to celebrating the little things.
Now the big question….Who is the bigger Buffalo Bills fan?!
Cassie’s Corner:
Updates from our Spring Intern
Spotlight on: Briella
Meet our Friend, Briella.
Three fun facts about Briella:
* She loves math
* She loves playing on her ipad
* She especially loves her family and friends
While at the hospital, she likes to play War and Skip Bo, play with Barbies and go to the Play Deck.
Briella was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 2025. She has a 19 year old older brother who shaved his head for her! She has a 15 year old sister who plays lacrosse. She has a bonus sister, her brother’s girlfriend, who is going to school to be a nurse.
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!
C.U.R.E. Parents and their Kiddos had a great time at the Painting Class held in April. They painted a picture of hot air balloons and had pizza together! Look at how creative they were! Stay tuned for more of this type of programming for our Families. We can’t wait to offer more support with outings like this!
Every May & June we offer a night out for our C.U.R.E. Moms and Dads individually: a bit different from our regular Parents’ Night Out. Moms get to have their nails done and Dads have been going to a local driving range for a night out. This year, C.U.R.E. Dads will be getting together to go to iSMASH. This will be a smashingly great time for them to connect with each other and have some fun too. We are so grateful to be able to offer these outings for our Families to be able to meet others going through similar experiences with their child’s diagnosis of cancer or a chronic blood disorder.
Be sure to reach out to Carol if you’re a C.U.R.E. Dad who would like to attend!
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.
Summer Camp Registration is NOW OPEN!!!
Get ready to explore, discover, and make unforgettable memories as we go Beyond the Reef this summer at Camp Good Days! Friendships, adventure, and endless fun await!
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.
81,090 signatures of 150,000 wanted (as of 11/25/2024)
Learn more about Bill A6430B
Creates the Sickle Cell Disease detection and education program
Sponsored by Hyndman
Bereavement Group
Our May Bereavement Group followed our annual Brick Laying Ceremony at our Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden where we honored our precious children.
June’s Bereavement Group will be at the C.U.R.E. office. We will be planting a memorial planter that you can take home.
An RSVP will be required!
Please reach out to our Bereaved Family Advocate, Diane (diane.valentine@curekidscancer.com) if you plan to attend.
SAVE THE DATE!
We are planning a Family Picnic
Sunday, August 24th for our bereaved families.
More info to follow!
*Not on our Bereaved Family email list or our private Bereaved Family Facebook Group and would like to be? Contact Diane to get added.
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 16th Annual 5k Run & Fun Walk presented by Cornerstone Wealth Management was MAGICAL!
THANK YOU to all of the sponsors, community partners, donors, volunteers & participants who made this event possible! This year, we had 𝟔𝟎𝟎+ 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 registered Our villagers came together as a community to slay the dragon - rain- and march together in support of our little warriors & angels.
Thank you to everyone who showed their support on Saturday in person or from afar - you are letting our Families know they are not alone in their battles and that there is a community that stands together to support them.
Head on over to our Facebook page to check out all the pictures from the event!
Thank you to the above schools and businesses who have participated in our Penny Drive so far in 2025!
Once a Raider, Always a Raider!
Raider Nation comes together during football season to cheer on their team while also giving back to the Community. This year, they raised an incredible $4,500 to support C.U.R.E.! We are so appreciative of their support and dedication to our mission.
If you're a Raiders Fan, we highly recommend checking them out and joining the team!
Grazie, Italian American Sports Club!
C.U.R.E. was the grateful recipient of a generous donation from the Italian American Sports Club in April. The group hosts a golf tournament event year and donates the proceeds to charitable causes nominated and selected by the group. We are grateful to Sam Meloni for nominating us and to the group for selecting C.U.R.E. Thank you FORE believing in our mission and the work we do here locally.
Thank You Verizon!
Our friends at The Wireless Zone in Penfield were kind to submit C.U.R.E. as one of the local charities for their state wide quarterly giving program. C.U.R.E. was fortunate to be the recipient last quarter and was presented with a $2,000 donation!
Thank you to Chris & the Verizon Wireless Zone Penfield location for being advocates for our mission and spreading awareness for our Families.
Julianne’s Journey spreads joy to Families!
Julianne’s Journey was created by Shari Miller back in December of 2010 in memory of her sweet Julianne. She carries on her daughter’s legacy through fundraisers and donations that benefit C.U.R.E.
Last December, they held a concert called Rock Out For Julianne’s Journey, where they raised funds to help purchase food & gas gift cards for our Families at the hospital during the holidays.
They also held a raffle for an acoustic guitar signed by Wynonna Judd and raised $750! A big thank you to Shari and her wonderful team for their dedication to our Families and being a part of our village.
Thank you Don Miller!
Don Miller has been a friend of the organization for many, many years. He always seems to know just when we need the extra help or a smile and shares his stories of his life, something new and different everytime.
Don, along with his dear friends, helped clean, plant and mulch the Julie Roberts Children’s Memorial Garden at the end of April. They do this every year and plan for it, just in time before the Brick Laying Ceremony.
We are so grateful for his kindness and dedication to our Families. Thank you!
Please give a hand for our Advocates of the Month….
Dyl’s Pickle Squad
We are so grateful for Dyl’s Pickle Squad for coming out in full force to our 16th Annual 5k and Fun Walk presented by Cornerstone Wealth Management. It was a pretty big dill - they had 63 team members! We sure relished the moments seeing them cross our finish line. It wasn’t jarring to see a pickle cross the finish line either!
All jokes aside, we are so grateful for your advocacy and support. Thank you for letting us be a part of honoring Dylan. Your advocacy and support mean the world to us.
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
The 10th Annual Patrick Carr Memorial Golf Tournament presented by ASP Industries & Brighton Securities is just around the corner…
SAVE THE DATE: MONDAY JULY 21, 2025
We return to Deerfield Country Club for a day filled of friendly competitions, course games, meals & beverages, prizes and more! Don’t PUTT around…Start gathering your foursomes!
Registration will be open by May 8th!
Small Change, BIG Difference!
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!
Raffle Baskets Needed!
We are in need of Raffle Baskets to be auctioned off at future fundraising events. Things like local business gift cards, lottery tickets, experiences, coffee themed, spa, alcohol, spring themed, etc.
If you are interested in donating one, please reach out to Sammi Jo to coordinate. Click the button below to send an email directly to her:
Interested in helping with C.U.R.E. events?
We are looking for volunteers to join committees for both our Golf Tournament and the Sunday Brunch! The Golf Tournament consists of participants from various backgrounds that help organize, solicit donations & sponsors, and work closely with the events coordinator on day of details.
The Sunday Brunch has multiple committees you can join based on your interests: PR & Marketing Committee, Live Auction Committee, Registration Committee and the Dining Room Committee (the last two must be able to volunteer the day of).
Click the links below to learn more and sign up!
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!
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 the Easter, Mother’s Day and 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!
- SQUISHMALLOWS! ALL SIZES! The kids love them!
- 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
- 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!