Irish Eye's Were Smiling in honor of Baldwin's Relay !

If all Irish eyes were smiling on St. Patrick’s Day, the eyes of many Baldwinites were also beaming as Friday, March 16th turned into the perfect day for a celebration. A dear friend of mine Nancy Deignan (who I met through Relay for Life) decided to use a fun holiday party and raise a bit of money for the American Cancer Society!

St. Patrick's Day happens to be my family's favorite holiday, so I was really excited to hear all about this event. I also love this idea because I like a good party and I love it even more when it is raising money for a great cause. 

In the invitation she told the history of Baldwin's Relay For Life, and her personal reason for commitment. The invitation went out to all of her friends and family, with an open invitation for each guest to invite other friends.
The hosts supplied the majority of food and drink.  Guests were asked to bring an appetizer and a monetary donation. In addition to their fundraising efforts, the hosts also registered participants who had not registered yet.

I found this poem by the Irish poet John O’Donohue that I thought was appropriate to both the Deignan's and all of those who give so much to beat this awful disease.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A Blessing
May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work that you do
with the secret love and warmth of your heart.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light
and renewal to those who work with you
and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of
refreshment, inspiration and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert,
approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.
May your soul calm, console and renew you.

Not only did the Deignan's register more Relay participants but they also raised $450, and had fun doing it !
The Deignan's are planning on hosting the party again next year, so if you missed it make sure it gets on next year's calendar.

My most rewarding fundraiser

My most rewarding fundraiser

The year was 2009 and Team Prayers for Patrick’s first year of fundraising was stellar.  We started our fundraising journey by sending out a letter with “our story” and mission to everyone and anyone that had ever crossed our paths.  Let me start by telling you my husband is often been called the Mayor-need I say more.

We had a family block party and invited the entire town and then some….and guess what they came. We had the media, fire department, local politicians and even Traders Joe's volunteer team cooking up the food they donated!  

That year our team raised almost $17,000 in 3 months!  I bet your thinking that was the most rewarding fundraiser-please read on.

The next year we had more than 50 team members.  As a team we decided that we should take a different approach.  Although all of the cotton candy and hot dogs were fun, we wanted to try a healthier approach.  We planned a large family picnic at the town park and once again engaged the community. A well known local band donated their music for the afternoon.  We had healthy raffle baskets, chiropractors, masters of reiki, a sunscreen station for the kids where they could make sun safety bracelets, and even a healthy smoothie station.  A fun day was had by all- but please keep reading.

Fast forward 2011.  A lot of my team members came to me and said that they were burnt out-they wanted to take a break. I was scared and nervous because I knew I still wanted to continue my work.

I live for my children; I do not know what I would ever do without them. Of all of my memories of Sloan Kettering that I will never forget (and believe me there are many) are the memories of the children affected by this awful disease. These children may never graduate from high school or middle school. These are children who may never walk down the aisle. Children who will never experience dorm life or working at their first job. I remember their faces well, as if they were my own children.  These kids really affected me. Cancer is not worthy of taking their lives. Together with my family I brainstormed several fundraising ideas that would affect these children directly. 

Thus "Pat’s Hats For Hope" was born.  We ordered handmade knit hats and tons of flowers in the purple Relay colors.  My daughter Lily took each flower apart, re-glued and attached to hair clips that we covered in beautiful ribbons.  We also made headbands in the same colors.  We began our sales and marketing strategy right away.  Facebook was a great tool for getting the word out.  People I knew in college, worked with 20 years ago and some I didn’t even know started inquiring.  We decided we would cover the costs to make them and 100% of the profit would go back to the American Cancer Society.  
One day a friend emailed me and said that she really wanted to donate and purchase one but  her daughter was not really into hats. She asked if there was a way to donate it to a child who was undergoing chemo.  I immediately said yes because I thought it was such a brilliant idea.  I called Sloan Kettering Children’s Cancer Center and was so excited to find out that it was possible.  We brought them everywhere we went, school, church, PTA meetings, dance class, hockey practice and you better believe my 2 daughters always had one on.  
The night of Relay  I spoke about Pat's Hats For Hope at the Survivors Dinner.  I set up a table with the hats and headbands,soon people were flooding the table.
But it went beyond Relay, we continued to sell them throughout the summer. The day I packed up all of the hats and headbands to be donated to the children was so very emotional. That year our team raised over $5,000 in hats and headbands .
You cannot put a price on the smile on a little girls face as she tries on a hat to cover her hair that no longer exists. The money raised from the sale of that hat went towards the research to destroy cancer-double whammy.

This was a fundraising experience we will never ever forget!

Sing with CHICAGO to fight Cancer !!

 

Hey All You Rock Fans: Sing With Chicago and Fight Breast Cancer !!

Grammy-Winning Band Chicago and American Cancer Society Team Up for Third Year of the Hit Promotion

Chicago has teamed up with the American Cancer Society for the third year in a row to give fans a chance to bid to sing with them during their tour across the U.S.
Fans across the country will be able to bid on a great package that includes a meet and greet with the band, two premium tickets, backstage passes, and a special opportunity to sing the classic hit song "If You Leave Me Now" onstage with the band during the concert.

Fans can bid in the auction at www.cancer.org/singwithchicago starting Friday February 24, 2012 and all proceeds directly benefit the American Cancer Society’s fight against breast cancer. 

In 2010, the band joined forces with the American Cancer Society, to create "Sing With Chicago", a highly successful promotion that has raised over $130,000 to fight breast cancer. “The Sing With Chicago promotion was such a great time for our fans, and contributed so much to the breast cancer cause, that we wanted to do it on our 2012 tour, too,” said Peter Schivarelli, Chicago's manager. “We’re doing it this year in honor of our friend Paqui Kelly, the wife of Notre Dame’s head football coach Brian Kelly, who is a breast cancer survivor.”

The American Cancer Society is pleased  that Chicago is offering this amazing opportunity for the third straight year, and that the band remains dedicated to using their musical talents to help create a world with less cancer.

What an exciting way for our American Cancer Society supporters to fight breast cancer and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience onstage with this amazing band.

This is a photo of Burlington’s retired Police Chief Fran Hart and wife Isis backstage with Chicago. The Harts bid for and won a prize package to benefit the American Cancer Society.   Fran Hart had the opportunity to join Chicago on stage to sing lead vocals for one of their songs.

HOW AWESOME IS THAT !

"The Cure Starts Here" My tour of Wilmot Cancer Center

Last week, I had the distinct honor of getting a tour of Wilmot Cancer Center here in Rochester,NY.

The Cancer Center was designed by Donald Blair & Partners Architects and SWBR Architects to provide patients with a healing environment surrounded by natural light, beautiful artwork and compassionate caregivers. 

This center is quite unique. A patient receives all of their care in one building. It is designed with the patient in mind, and makes their experience as easy and comfortable as possible.

An expanded, multi-media patient and family resource center provides education and support services along with a meditation area for quiet reflection.

My most memorable part of the tour, by far, was the research laboratory. The team of doctors and students at Wilmot have been recognized for clinical and scientific research contributions that have shaped treatments and cures.They are dedicated to achieving national leadership in cancer care and research. I was honored to be able to catch a glimpse of  the teams at work-exciting to say the least!

The development of a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer began at Wilmot. Their scientists found the critical component of the vaccine designed to prevent infection with the human papilloma virus, the leading cause of cervical cancer. This vaccine is now available world-wide and could save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.

Wilmot  received one of just four prestigious National Cancer Institute Specialized Program of Research Excellence grants for lymphoma research. The  scientists there are collaborating with colleagues across the country to develop new therapies and tactics for deconstructing these diseases.

The future for the Wilmot Cancer Center is bright and they are proud to partner with their community and supporters- including The American Cancer Society, to continue the path of excellence that has been laid. 

Wilmot's motto, “The Cure Starts Here,” is not a slogan, it’s a promise !

A special thank you to Kimberly Cenzi, Associate Director for Events and Community Outreach.

Early detection is the key, my own story

Last November I knew something was not quite right with my body.  I could not put my finger on what exactly it was, I just knew I didn't feel like myself.  I decided to see my General Practitioner, Dr. Ly. She listens very closely to her patients and her care goes above and beyond.  She shares an office with a Gastroenteroligst, Dr. Klein.  At this appointment she asked if I could hang around for a few minutes and see him because she was concerned with the symptoms I was experiencing.  I remember having Grace in tow, who at the age of 2 was bouncing off of the walls, but I knew I needed to stay.

Dr. Klein read over my chart and asked me many questions.  He said he did not like the sound of  what I was experiencing and wanted to do a endoscopy to see what was going on. Within a week I was scheduled for the endoscopy.

A couple of days after my procedure I was at my daughter's dress rehearsal for the Nutcracker when Dr. Klein called me.  All I remember him saying was you have a tumor. The diagnosis nobody ever wants to hear. This was not supposed to happen to me, a year prior I was taking care of my husband as he was battling cancer.  I went outside so I could hear him, and ask a few questions.  I had an adenoma on my ampulla. On my what ??  He told me I was extremely lucky because this was the beginning stages of pancreatic cancer, but that it is never found in this early stage.  Usually this type of cancer goes undetected, and it is too late once it is found.

My adenoma was removed and now I go twice a year for routine endoscopies.  I will be on surveillance for the rest of my life for pancreatic cancer.  I am so lucky!!

Regular check ups and Cancer Screening increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be curable.

We must listen very closely to our body, as it can save our life.

Take control of your health and reduce your cancer risk.

some simple guidelines in taking control are as follows:

• Stay away from tobacco.
• Stay at a healthy weight.
• Get moving with regular physical activity.
• Eat healthy with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink (if you drink at all).
• Protect your skin.
• Know yourself, your family history, and your risks.
• Have regular check-ups and cancer screening tests.
• Listen to your body !

The Circle Of Strength

Meet Nanci Cacossa. She has cancer.  Ovarian cancer.  Stage 3C ovarian cancer. She lost her ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes to this disease, but she is not about to lose her life.  No, she is fighting with all she's got.  And what she's got is great!

I am proud to call her my friend.  We somehow found each other when both she and my husband Patrick were battling the fight of their lives. She would send me daily notes and offer guidance.

Team Prayers For Patrick and Circle of Strength were born within days of each other. Neither of us knew what the heck we were doing in the beginning, but we were both passionate about destroying this beast, and hey why not raise a bit of awareness and money at the same time :) We learned to use Social Media to get our word out there - Tweeting and Facebooking about each other's events on a regular basis.

Nanci's openness about her illness and honesty about what she was enduring was a huge learning experience for everyone around her.  The exchange and flow of information and emotion kept her strong so she could fight.  Together with friends and family, they became a circle; The Circle of Strength.

Nanci was a great support for me and my family at a very uncertain time in our lives. She was at every one of Prayers For Patrick's events, donating baskets, giving support and usually a great big hug!  The photo above is from the Relay when Nanci showed up to bring our team a cake she made. During this time she was undergoing chemo but there she was, with a delicious cake in hand.  Need I say more about this lady!

As of now, she is still receiving treatments every three weeks, four days in a row and fighting the fight. She is not going anywhere anytime soon. She will not surrender.  Nanci has certainly had her ups and downs, but she as always will continue to fight hard (most likely while planning her next event.)


Ah her next event.................Circle of Strength and the NY Islanders, Sunday, April 1st @3pm

click this link to find out more:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.458360323218.241397.567448218&type=3#!/events/217627241661265/


Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death of gynecological cancer among women.  If not detected early, the survival rate is only between 25-30%.  The Circle of Strength is committed to educating people about ovarian cancer, and raising funds for research that will yield better diagnostic testing and improve treatment.
A circle represents the infinite nature of energy and love.  With no beginning or end, it is whole and perfect.  We seek to expand the energy and love of The Circle of Strength  and invite you to join us in support of the women battling ovarian cancer and the doctors researching therapies to manage and, one day, cure this disease.
The money raised through direct donations and events help fund the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Hope Lodge.....A great motivator !

Facing cancer is extremely hard. Having to travel out of town for treatment can make it even harder!

Back in 2009, when my husband Patrick was undergoing a clinical trial, we were very lucky to live so close  to Sloan Kettering.  We were able to commute each day in and out of NYC. Patrick was able to get the best treatment possible, and be comfortable each night, in his own bed.  

For many battling cancer, treatment at NYC's medical centers provides the greatest hope for them, but requires that they are far from home. The  burden of travel and lodging expenses, on top of their sickness, can be unbearable.

At Hope Lodge in New York City, they understand that undergoing treatment for cancer can be a very scary experience.

That is why the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge,Jerome L. Greene Family Center, offers lodging at no cost for cancer patients being treated in Manhattan.

The Hope Lodge's main floor is a peaceful communal space where guests can relax, read a book, or spend time with other guests and visitors.  The main floor offers many amenities including: a large lounge with a fireplace and piano, a family visitation room, a meditation space, a computer resource center (with internet access and printer) a library and an outdoor terrace.

Hope Lodge also offers 60 private guest rooms in a home-like environment.

Patients can get the treatment that they deserve and and have a comfortable place to rest their head at night. 

We were very fortunate that My husband's oncologist, who was an expert in the field of Germ Cell Tumors, was available to us so close to home.  

I raise funds and awareness for those who are not so lucky, so that they too can get the treatment they deserve, and be as comfortable as possible.  

We recently relocated to Rochester, NY. I am happy to say that I will be visiting Hope Lodge here in Rochester, in the next few weeks to see how I can get involved!

 [To stay at the Hope Lodge, you must be referred by your medical center's social worker. Your social worker will need to fill out a referral form to coordinate placing your name on our waiting list. It is advisable to initiate the referral process well in advance of the first date of treatment, as patients are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.Once the referral form is received at Hope Lodge, the potential guest will be contacted regarding their status.
Residency at a Hope Lodge facility is a courtesy extended at the sole discretion of American Cancer Society. All individuals who meet the Hope Lodge eligibility requirements will be welcomed regardless of race, creed, citizenship, physical disability, gender, color, ethnic heritage, veteran status, economic status, or sexual orientation.]