HOLIDAY Heroes 2017

Welcome to this year’s special edition of Holiday Heroes.

The Board of Directors and the entire Staff at CURE Childhood Cancer Association
would like to wish our friends and families a joyous and healthy holiday season.

W e are humbled by the opportunity to share with all of you

the Heroes who contribute to the lives of so many. The
Board of Directors and entire Staff at CURE Childhood
Cancer Association would like to send warm holiday greetings to you
all. Wishing the spirit of love gently fills your hearts and homes.
The holiday season is flooded with good tidings, good deeds,
happiness, but most importantly, with hope. With the approaching
new year, hope is an overwhelming feeling — hope for a better year,
hope for renewal, hope for good fortune. Right here in the Rochester
area, we at CURE Childhood Cancer Association hear stories of
hope regularly.
CURE helps local families coping with childhood cancer and chronic
blood disorders. Our organization is rooted deep in Rochester,
with our founders being local Rochester parents who experienced
childhood cancer first hand and found they had needs that were

“To the world,

community, volunteers, local organizations and businesses — we would be
not being met during their respective journeys. CURE Childhood unable to continue providing the essential services that our families have
Cancer Association was created with the intention of providing

you may be
come to rely on.
financial, educational, emotional and social assistance to children
We hope you will look through our “Holiday Heroes” messages and think

one person.
and their families coping with childhood cancer and chronic blood
disorders and has been servicing local families for more than forty about how you can help to bring hope to local families. YOU can join us and
Messenger Post Media in bringing hope into the lives of families this new year.

But to
years.
Hope for financial assistance when financial burdens seem too much to bear.
We have partnered with Messenger Post Media for over eight years

one person,
Hope for improved health for a sick child. Hope for a cure.
in our “Holiday Heroes” campaign. The community is invited
to honor their heroes through placing an advertisement in this To all of our heroes, may you be filled with peace and love of the season.

you may edition of Messenger Post newspapers, which raises money for our CURE is here thanks to your support.

be the world.”
organization, enabling us to assist our families and continue to bring Warmest Regards,

Holly Dutcher Executive Director

hope and provide assistance throughout families’ journeys.
Without the support of everyday heroes — members of the

CURE IS HERE Because kids can’t fight cancer alone!

CURE Childhood Cancer Association — an
independent local 501(c)3 organization — was founded
over 40 years ago by a group of Rochester-area parents
who lost their children to cancer. By banding together,
they formed a community of help, support and advocacy
— for themselves and for others.
From offices at 200 Westfall Road and work with the
doctors, nurses, social workers and others at Golisano
Children’s Hospital at Strong, CURE’s mission today
continues, providing children and their families
emotional, financial and educational support throughout
the entire journey — from the time of diagnosis, during
treatment and after.
Our beginnings are humble and we continue our humble,
approachable mentality even 40 years later.
In 1976, a group of Rochester area parents who had
lost their children to cancer recognized a critical gap
in community services for parents of childhood cancer
patients. These grieving parents believed more help was
necessary for the families of sick children, especially to
address their emotional and social needs. They distilled
these needs into four words: Counseling, Understanding,
Resources and Education.
time at the hospital), for me, was that I got to speak to a mom
who had been there — it’s one thing to know that you are not
alone, and another thing to get a hug from someone who had
been where you are and come out the other side. CURE means
more than free parking and meal vouchers. It’s a smiling face
that reminds you that you are not alone —and that, as they say,
is priceless.” — a CURE parent
Administered by CURE, the Agnes K. Mackey Fund was
established in 1986 in memory of Agnes K. Mackey, who was
a strong supporter of CURE. The fund provides assistance
to families who need help with both routine expenses such
as utility bills, medical co-pays, gas and other expenses while
their children are ill, as well as catastrophic expenses. Through
its parking voucher program, CURE saves families up to
$65,000 annually by covering parking expenses for families
whose children are hospitalized and for outpatient clinic visits.
In 2013, we partnered with our friends Marc and Roberta
Johnson to establish the Angel Fund, which provides
emergency financial assistance to families. Expenses for this
fund typically include utility and rent bills, but also can include
important household items such as new beds for CURE kids.
Everyday expenses can be financially exhausting for any family,
but especially exhausting for a family coping with a childhood
cancer or blood disorder diagnosis. The assistance from the
Angel Fund helps families to manage through this very difficult
time.
The Program Coordinator works to bring social activities to
CURE families throughout the year. In June, over 300 people
attended our annual “Survivor’s Day Picnic” at Genesee Valley
Park. This CURE-sponsored event provides an opportunity to
all children and families with a history of childhood cancer or
chronic blood disorder to come together and celebrate life with
music, lunch, games and entertainment — an important way
for families to connect with each other. In December, CURE’s
annual holiday party offers children a chance to receive a gift,
have dinner and see other friends. The party is supported by
BENTE, a Union of Support Workers for the Rochester City
School District, which has worked with CURE for over 25
years to bring this annual celebration to the children.
While CURE was founded under the principle of parent
advocacy, we wanted to ensure all aspects of parent advocacy
were covered. As such, our Parents’ Night Out events began in
late 2016. We have held six Parents’ Night Out events where we
encourage our parents to interact while also enjoying a night
away from the chaos of everyday life — coping with having an

Happy
During the 1980’s, one of the first accomplishments ill child and everything in between — and most importantly,
of CURE was the publication of the CURE Family have fun! The goal is to help foster relationships between
Handbook: a guide for families traversing the frightening parents and to create a network of support for our families.

Holidays!
maze of childhood cancer and its therapies.
CURE’s success as an organization relates equally to the
While world-class medical care is available in the commitment and compassion of volunteers, the quality of
Rochester area, patients and families need more than CURE’s programs and services, the outstanding work of its
medical care to cope with what are chronic and often life- professional staff and the financial support of CURE’s donors.
threatening childhood diseases.
In 1985, CURE recognized the need to provide families CURE Childhood Cancer Association
with someone who could relate to the unknown world 200 Westfall Road • Rochester, NY 14620
of childhood cancer, its treatments and challenges: a
Parent Advocate, a position to be filled by a parent of a 585-473-0180 • www.CureKidsCancer.com
childhood cancer survivor.
“The moment we were in our room we met with a CURE
Parent Advocate. She had a bag of goodies for our son,
as well as for us, to help get us through until we were able
to get our own personal items. They check in every day
you are there. They offer to sit with your child so can do
laundry, go for a walk, cry or just breathe. We will forever
be grateful to CURE for everything they have done for
our family to make an incredibly difficult time a little bit
easier to bear.” — a CURE parent
Since then, CURE has funded the Parent Advocate Support CURE
position, the cornerstone of our client services and
resources. In 2015, the position expanded and we
now employ two individuals in the position. Working
Childhood
closely with the Department of Pediatric Hematology/
Oncology at Golisano Children’s Hospital, the Parent Cancer Assoc.
Advocates’ primary responsibilities are to meet each
family soon after their child’s cancer or chronic blood by making For more than 41 years CURE
disorder diagnosis to share information about hospital
procedures, community resources and to offer emotional
support — all from the perspective of a parent who has
a donation has been helping children
and families who have been
been there.
CURE’s Parent Advocates serve as an integral part of
this holiday! touched by childhood cancer
and blood disorders.
each child’s treatment team, acting as a liaison between Visit our website
families and hospital staff. At the time of diagnosis, most Because Kids Can’t Fight Cancer Alone!
families are not prepared for their child to begin a long- www.CureKidsCancer.com
term hospital stay and treatment. The Parent Advocates CURE provides:
are there with a Comfort Bag filled with items for the Mail donation to:
family to assist with their stay, the CURE Patient/Parent CURE Childhood • Emotional support and programs
Organizer — an essential tool to help families stay Cancer Association • Emergency financial assistance for families
organized during a hectic time in their lives, and, most • Educational support for children transitioning
importantly, their friendship and advocacy. CURE assists 200 Westfall Road
families with financial help during hospitalizations and Rochester, NY 14620 back into school after hospitalization
beyond with the help of the Parent Advocates and the Call 585-473-0180
Social Workers at the hospital. To learn more about how you can help, call
CURE at 585-473-0180 or go to www.curekidscancer.com
“More than that (the comfort bag and activities to occupy
 HOLIDAY Heroes 2017
PLATINUM LEVEL SILVER LEVEL
THE IN HONOR OF
Cornerstone Group
IN HONOR OF
• Sending Our Friends At Alstom • Ryan Corbett
Warm Holiday Greetings.
of Wells Fargo Advisors • Happy Holidays To Our Friends At
• Our Grandson, Justin Rabjohn
• Jenna Amidon Blank, 2x Survivor
Penguin Life Safety Corp.
• Sal Fasciano
• To Our Friends at A.P. Enterprises
Property Services, Thank You For Your • Colin Leathersich & Elyse Cushman
Continued Support. Merry Christmas! • Kailee Kwiecien
• Salvatore Fasciano • Samuel Gigliotta
• Amanda — Love Mom & Allen
• Amanda — From Peter Loucieer
PLATINUM LEVEL • Amanda — From Grandpa Beckens
IN MEMORY OF
• Mark Christopher Tubbs
• Our Angel, Gavi Springut.
—Love From Mom & Dad
SILVER LEVEL
IN MEMORY OF
• Thomas M. Ehrman
• Nicholas Christian Braell
• Daniel T. Wheat
PLATINUM LEVEL • Sara Anne Minni
GREETINGS • Greg, Sending Love From All Us Haffens
• In Loving Memory of Daniel T. Wheat
We are proud to support the • Merry Christmas To The Phillips,
Dobson & Pellegrini Heroes! • Jacob A. Peterson
CURE Childhood Cancer Association You’ve Made A Difference. • Lynda Smith — In Loving Memory, Dad
• Merry Christmas From Molly & Fred Fant • Our Smiling Hero, Willem Bolan
in honor of all our clients, especially those • A BIG Thank You to CURE For The Amazing Support. • Caitlin Todd
whose lives have been touched by cancer. — Love, Logan • Steve Rettke
• Jason & Sara DeLaurentiis • Hannah Metzler
1200 Pittsford Victor Road • Sending Love To The Sewell Family. • Ryan Brooks
Pittsford, NY 14534 Merry Christmas. Thank You For Your Support! • Michael Purvee
• Techniplex Management • Rory O’Neill
585-249-1711
www.thecornerstonegroup.wfadv.com
GOLD LEVEL SILVER LEVEL
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by IN HONOR OF
Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC GIFTS & GREETINGS
• In Honor of Noel Sattler • Carol & Jack Hennessy
• Amy Heusinkveld-Baer • Harold & Joan Kittell
• Craig Winter • Mr. & Mrs. Terry Krug
• Katherine, Reilly & Jake Mueller • Dawn & Ryan Howe
• Jared Sutherland, 22 Years Cancer Free • John & Nancy Brown
• Thomas Swanson, Our 27 Year Hero • Rick & Jane Constantino
• Dylan Gruschow and His Entire Medical • Debbie Hann
Team Caring For Him These Past 17 Years.
• John Marchaesi
• For My Patients Who Inspire Us All to
•Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Grieco
Appreciate and Celebrate Each Day.
— Dr. Sandy Constine • John & Diane Hanna
• In Honor of Jason McGraw’s 39th Birthday! • Gale & Michael DePaolis & Family
• Trevor Holly and His Continued Support of CURE! • Leslie Blake & Bill Fine
• Kathy
• William Hoysic
• Merry Christmas To You All. Keep Up
GOLD LEVEL The Good Work. — Brian & Lynda Wirth
IN MEMORY OF
• Karen Wowzynski
• Frank & Sarah Molinelli, Forever In Our Hearts. • Sally Beecher
— All Our Love, The Molinelli & Miner Family
Happy Holidays!
• Thomas O. Burke, Our Braveheart! BRONZE LEVEL
Our Hero Forever • Special Angel Staci Baxter — Love Mom & Bill IN HONOR OF
• John & Carmella Nuccitelli and Sam & Vita Cravotta

Julie Ann • Tom Ehrman, You Are Always In Our Thoughts

• Patrick Stone “Always In My Heart”
• Love to Alissa Ingerick.
• Mary & Katie Ruberti

Roberts • Merry Christmas Sue. — We Love You, Mom & Dad

• In Memory Of Billy Busler
— With Love, Mom, Denny & Jenny
• Christopher
• Christina Forties —
Our Hero, We Love You!
The Roberts Family • Christopher Bland. 20 Years, Loved And Missed. • Grateful for Ryan
— Love Grandma & Grandpa
• In Memory and Honor Of Raymond & Frances Pierce
• Mason Purdy
• Jeff, Our Special Angel — Love Mom, Dad, 4M’s & J
• Stacey Russell
• In Memory Of Johnny & John
• Alex Frank
• Ange, Ron, Rose, Tony & Christie
• In Honor of Emma Mae Pollock
• Christie Simonetti
— Best Love, Mom & Dad
• Matthew Roman, Always In Our Hearts
In loving memory of • John F. Marren Sr.
• Kailee Kwiecien
• Aunt Peg & Uncle Phil, You Are Wonderful.

Scott and John Sturge

• Kenny Clar, Precious One. You Are Loved.
— Love, Uncle Don & Aunt Millie
• Mustafa Ozbas
• In Memory Of Our Sons Larry & Lee Benedict
• Evelyn & Anderson and Their Incredible Parents
Forever in our hearts. • Lydia Tata
• Larry Benedict II & Lee Benedict
• Kristine, Mark, Victoria & Lexi
— You Are Loved.
• Kennedy Ann Bucklin
— We Miss You Everyday & We Will Love You Forever.
• Shari Heath BRONZE LEVEL
• In Memory Of My Niece, Lydia Tata IN MEMORY OF
Who Passed Away Of Leukemia January 4, 2015
• Kenny Clar, Your Light Still Shines. • Western Donolli
• In Memory of Staci Lynn Baxter by Doris Anderson • Aaron Moscowitz
• Jeffrey Sewell • In Loving Memory of Amanda Conrow
• Kari Moynihan & Tom Burke
• Kenny Clar
— Mom & Dad, Sisters & Brothers
GOLD LEVEL
GIFTS & GREETINGS • Merry Christmas Ryan McPhee!
Love Always — Mom, Dad & Shannon
• Linda Puckhaber • Dean & Raeanne Cook
• Kathleen Fink • Ryan McPhee Missing You This Holiday Season
• Dr. Jeffrey Andolina — Papa and Nana McPhee
• Happy Holidays - Ilene & Harvey Cohen • Merritt Storm
• Rene & Mary Ann Vanmulem • Arthur L. Yaddow Jr.
• Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Grieco • Constantine (Tony) Payton: Husband & Father
• Samantha & Jeff Bradley • John Sally
• Logan Kime • Kenny Clar from Mom, Dad & the 5 K’s
• The Strong Family • Lydia Tata
• Happy Holidays! Sarah & Dan Collins
• Carla Biuso
• David & Joanne Lankford BRONZE LEVEL
• Joan Feinbloom GIFTS & GREETINGS
• Sending Love & Holiday Greetings
From the Dutcher Family. • In Thanks Giving For
15 Healthy Grandchildren
& Two “Greats”

The • Happy Holidays From John Habes

• Happy Holidays from

Julie Roberts In This

William & Elizabeth Joyce
• Doris & Adam Albright

Children’s Season of Hope • Dianne Witkowski

• Melissa Donner
Memorial • Susan & Tony Parrino
• William Pihl
Garden • Jamie Miner
• Arlene Cooper
Remembering • Jane Mahoney
• Donald & Reva Riley
Our Children In
In Appreciation
• John & Susan Volpel
• Janet Hill
CURE Childhood Loving Memory
For All You Do
• Marvin & Shirley Block
In Memory Cancer Association
of Jimmy
• Brian & Kelley Donachie

of 200 WESTFALL RD. Colleen & Steve

Love, Saunders
Brian Weniger Mom and Dad