Friday, March 16, 2012

CANCER MISSION 2020; WINE; NIGHT OF GRATITUDE & MORE!

A few weeks ago, on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks, along with Monroe County Health Department Deputy Director, Dr. Byron Kennedy, and myself, hosted a meeting at Monroe Community Hospital for government, medical and support service leaders and representatives, to share information and discuss strategies for addressing cancer in Monroe County.



Approximately 35 people attended the meeting, including Rochester Mayor, Tom Richards; Monroe County Clerk, Cheryl Dinolfo; and representatives from Congressman Tom Reed’s Office; Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle’s Office; Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s Office; Congresswoman Kathy Hochul’s Office; Wilmot Cancer Center; University of Rochester Medical Center; Rochester General Hospital; Thompson Health; Anthony Jordan Health Center; Rochester Primary Care Network; Greater Rochester Health Foundation; Monroe County Board of Health / Penfield Place; American Cancer Society; and Gilda’s Club Rochester.



Attendees learned about cancer in Monroe County, including the fact that cancer is now the leading cause of death in Monroe County and about the establishment and progress of CANCER MISSION 2020…The End Of Cancer By The End Of The Decade. Discussions took place as to how to strategically approach addressing this issue of cancer within Monroe County, all in an effort to put an end to cancer and to improve the quality of life for citizens in Monroe County.



In follow-up to this initial meeting, County Executive Brooks has asked Dr. Kennedy and I to lead a small committee to develop a comprehensive plan, by the end of June 2012, for addressing cancer in Monroe County. This committee and the plan that is developed will focus on three key components: Prevention; Education & Research, in terms of sharing information about where we are now in the fight against cancer and about how people can become active advocates for making finding the answers to cancer a priority; and Support for those who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.



I am so pleased that we are moving forward with this important initiative and I am excited that we are leading the way in truly finding the answers to cancer. It is our hope to create and provide the example and plan for putting an end to cancer, not only in our community, but throughout the country and the world.



As so many of you know, Camp Good Days has grown and thrived due to the generous support of so many individuals, businesses and organizations, and it is through this continued support that we are able to provide our programs and services free of charge for the participants who need them. Last Friday evening we took some time to honor and recognize some of these outstanding supporters and volunteers, our Teddi Award recipients and Ring of Honor Inductees for 2011, at the Camp Good Days’ Night of Gratitude.



The Ring of Honor was established as part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2004 and includes those who are selected for their outstanding dedication, commitment and support of the thousands of children and families served over the years. In addition to their award, inductee’s names will be included in the permanent Ring of Honor display, which is located at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility, in Branchport, NY, for all to see. The inductees for the Ring of Honor, recognized at A Night of Gratitude were:



Mary Pat Allen of Rochester


Gary Amendola (posthumously) / The Gary Amendola Fun Fund at Woods Oviatt Gilman


Joe Cascio of Buffalo


Sarah Clapper of Rochester


Ron Dougherty of Webster


Will & Muriel Herzog of Rochester


Monroe County Sheriff’s Department


New York State Police


Rochester Police Department


St. Philip’s Church in Cheektowaga


Stacey & Chris Ruisi of West Henrietta


Sahlen’s Packing Company in Buffalo


Amy Schmidt of Fairport


Cameron Tebbi, MD of Tampa, FL


The Vinette Family of Syracuse



The Teddi Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by Camp Good Days to those who have gone above and beyond within the past year, in helping to fulfill the mission of improving the quality of life for children, adults, and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. The recipients of the Teddi Awards were:



Emily Adasiak of Rochester


Joe Comfort of Webster


Melinda Cooper of Fayetteville


Dave Cooper of Conesus


Patti Curns of Canandaigua


Paul Estabrooks & the Caledonia-Mumford National Junior Honor Society


Bob Gerace of Fairport


Cathy Griepsma of Sodus Point


Teal Hardy of Wayland


Hockey Versus Cancer / Rochester Monarchs


Laurie Jacoby & Art Stern of Ithaca


Skip Johnson of Penn Yan


Karpus Investment Management


Michael Lawandus of Lancaster


Lechase Construction


Michael Margiotta of Rochester


Old Navy – The Shops at Ithaca


Carol Page of Perkinsville


Park Place Global Transportation


John Powell of North Chili


Shari Rife of Kenmore


Ken Rosenfeld of Rochester


Joanne Serpe of Gates


Garrett Smith of Clarence


Mark Sofia of Tampa, formerly of Rochester


The Family of Scotty Toombs of Spencerport


Amanda Vaccaro of Buffalo


Vanderstyne Toyota


Don Zrebiec of Fairport



Congratulations and THANK YOU to all of the Teddi Award recipients and Ring of Honor inductees!



All of us at Camp Good Days are enjoying this early spring weather and gearing up for all of the summer camping programs. Registration Forms for all of the programs are available now and complete program information and online registration can be found on our website, www.campgooddays.org. To obtain a hard copy of the program brochures and registration forms, please contact our Headquarters at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.



We are always looking for a few good men and women to serve as volunteers for the many programs. Volunteer Applications for the summer programs are also available now, either online at our website, www.campgooddays.org, or by calling 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135.


Help give some good days and special times to someone you know who is dealing with cancer…share our program information or become a volunteer!



We are only able to continue providing our programs and services free of charge for the participants because of the generosity of so many and the success of special fundraising events. I would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge all of the students, faculty, administration, parents and community members who helped to make this year’s Fayetteville-Manlius Dance Marathon, which was held on Saturday, March 3, 2012, a phenomenal success. These students generated $133,000 to support the children and families at Camp Good Days and we are forever grateful for their support, dedication and commitment!



In the Greater Rochester area, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner has become the largest fundraising event to support Camp Good Days. Next weekend, March 24 & 25, 2012, the 12th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition will take place at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. To date, over 3000 wines have been entered into the competition, from more than 700 wineries from 22 countries and 49 states!



All of the wine entries will be evaluated by a world-renowned panel of judges representing distributors, educators, enologists, sommeliers, restaurateurs, winemakers and writers. These diversified experts come from all over the world. For a complete listing of this year’s Finger Lakes International Wine Competition Judges, with photos and biographies, log on to http://www.fliwc.com/judges.asp.



Throughout the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, each wine is judged on its own merit – its presence, balance and varietal character. Wines are blind judged and all wines are presented to the judges in Riedel crystal stemware. Medals are awarded for the unanimous Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze winning wines and all award winning wines will be featured on www.fliwc.com.



The medal winning wines will be featured at the 12th Annual Camp Good Days’ Wine Auction Dinner on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. If you love wine or want to enhance your wine collection, the 12th Annual Wine Auction Dinner is the place to be. With medal winning and rare wines and other exceptional silent and live auction items available, along with great food and great conversation, this is definitely the wine event you want to attend!



Tickets to attend the Wine Auction Dinner are $150 per person and can be purchased by calling Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135, or can be purchased online at www.campgooddays.org or www.fliwc.com. Don’t delay – this event is sure to sell out quickly!



On a final note, we have a few opportunities available for people who are interested in becoming part of our team and family here at Camp Good Days. We currently have two positions open, including Finance Director and Social Media Manager. Complete job descriptions for these positions are available on our website, www.campgooddays.org, under the employment section. If you are interested or know of someone that might make a great addition to our small paid staff, please have them submit their letter of interest and resume.



If you are in the Rochester area and out and about for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, stop down and see some of our Camp Good Days’ staff and volunteers at the TOPS Celtic Faire at the Radisson Hotel. Special thanks to Kathleen Graim and TOPS for once again choosing the children and families at Camp Good Days as the beneficiary of the Celtic Faire!



Wishing all of you a safe and Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!

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