Of all the things that I get to do, one that never loses its enjoyment is the Annual Florida Fun Fest trip that we take each year with some of our campers. Having just returned last night, I can say that this year was another memorable trip. We did things a little bit differently this year, as in the past we have taken the trip around Election Day or just after the holidays in January, but this year we were in Central Florida from April 25th – 30th. In past years, we have spent the majority of time in the Orlando area, but this time we flew into Tampa and spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Tampa and St. Petersburg. We stayed at the Tradewinds Island Resort and the weather was absolutely beautiful and the campers had the opportunity to spend some time on the beach and in the Gulf of Mexico, which is something that they won’t soon forget.
On Wednesday evening, we were the special guests of Steve & Patty DiGennaro and some of their neighbors for a cookout dinner. They are true friends and such wonderful supporters of the children and families at Camp Good Days and once again their hospitality and kindness was above and beyond any expectations. Following dinner, we all headed to Tropicana Field to watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Anaheim Angels, which was a great experience, as it was the first time that many of the campers had the chance to attend a Major League Baseball game.
On Thursday morning, we all got on a boat and did a Dolphin Watch Boat Tour. Again, it was a beautiful day and I am so pleased that we all got the chance to see a number of dolphins. On Thursday afternoon I had the chance to meet with some people from the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa and we had a great discussion about some ways in which we can collaborate on providing some unique experiences for the children and families we all serve. I also shared CANCER MISSION 2020 with them and I am so pleased that they are interested in helping and supporting us in those efforts.
Later that day was extra special for me because while the campers and volunteers played on the beach and in the Gulf, I had the chance to see an old and dear friend, Dr. Martin Klemperer. Dr. Klemperer is someone who was instrumental in helping me to start Camp Good Days and over the years has helped me to keep my daughter Teddi’s dream and spirit alive.
I will always remember the first meeting we ever had in regards to starting Camp Good Days, which was held at the Rochester Academy for Medicine on East Avenue, and attended by more than 100 people. I had invited Dr. Royer to speak at the meeting, as he was the doctor who started a similar program in Michigan and I had seen a story on The Today Show about his camp, which was what started me on this journey. After the meeting, I felt like I was on top of the mountain, but as I was taking Dr. Royer to the airport for his return trip to Kalamazoo, he said we had a great turnout at the meeting and he was confident that we would be able to raise the necessary funds, recruit the volunteers, and we certainly had the children that would benefit, but that he thought we might have difficulty in finding a doctor that would be willing to commit the time that would be necessary, especially if it was not their idea. The three other programs that had been established prior to Camp Good Days were all started by doctors. I went from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley because although I knew there were many things that I could do, I was not a doctor. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Klemperer came into my life and as they say, the rest is history. Dr. Klemperer was always there for me in the early years and even after he moved from working at the University of Rochester Medical Center to Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, and later to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, he continued to come back to Camp Good Days each summer, with his wife, Helen, at their own expense, to serve as our Camp Doctor. Dr. Klemperer is 81 years old now, dealing with some of his own health challenges, and unable to make it to Camp Good Days each summer, but it was such a pleasure and so nice to have had the opportunity to see this very special angel to the children of Camp Good Days and to spend some time with him, catching up, reminiscing, and sharing some of the good times we had together.
On Friday morning, we checked out of the Tradewinds and headed to Busch Gardens for the day. Later, we went for dinner and I had the chance to catch up and spend some time with two old friends. Joan Bell, whose husband, Theo, played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a great friend and supporter who passed away a few years ago at much too young an age, met us for dinner, as did Dr. Cameron Tebbi who I have known for 33 years.
When Dr. Tebbi and I first met, Camp Good Days was just beginning and he was the chief of the Adolescent Oncology Unit at Roswell Park Cancer Center. He left Roswell to become the Medical Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Research Laboratories at
St. Joseph’s Children's Hospital in Tampa, and now serves as a Professor of Pediatrics and Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Over the years when we have taken our Annual Florida Fun Fest trip and ever needed medical support, Dr. Tebbi has always been there for us. He is an amazing doctor and person, who holds several patents and has spent 41 years studying, researching, and treating those with leukemia. Currently, Dr. Tebbi is working to secure much needed funding, as he feels that we will be able to predict, in babies, a future diagnosis of leukemia, and ultimately develop a vaccine for leukemia. He is someone who has truly devoted his life and work to finding the answers to cancer and he too supports and wants to help us in the efforts of CANCER MISSION 2020.
On the topic of CANCER MISSION 2020, I got some great news while I was out of town last week that legislation has been completed and will be introduced by Congressman Tom Reed. This legislation is a result of the CANCER MISSION 2020 Congressional District Cancer Summits that were held last August in the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse areas. We are also moving ahead with development of the plan to address cancer in Monroe County, where cancer is now the leading cause of death. Our first of three, small, working meetings – this one focused on prevention – is being held tomorrow afternoon. I am excited that we are moving forward with this important initiative and I look forward to sharing more about these meetings and the plan, in the weeks to come.
Another one of the highlights for me during our trip was having Tamara Kerbs join us. Tamara has faced her own battle with cancer and became part of the Camp Good Days’ family when she attended our Junior Good Days’ Program in Rochester. She later attended the Teddi’s Team / Doing A World Of Good residential camping programs, and served as a member of our Summer Staff. Tamara completed her undergraduate work at Binghamton University and now lives in Central Florida, where she just completed her Master’s Degree and as soon as she passes her boards, Tamara will be Nurse Practitioner. Tamara spent a few days with us during the trip, volunteering her time to help Michelle Roach, our Medical Director and I am so proud of her and the beautiful young lady she has become!
On Friday evening, we made the bus trip from Tampa to Orlando and checked into the Seralago Suites. On Saturday, we all headed to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, where we are always treated like special VIP guests. The staff there goes out of their way to greet our campers and provide them with a fantastic and fun-filled day in their theme parks. On Sunday, my good friends, John and Linda Mongoven, along with some of their friends and neighbors in the Hunter’s Creek Community, hosted our group for a picnic and had Chief Rowley entertain and educate the group with his amazing Snake Show. We all then headed to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
On Monday, we checked out of the Seralago and headed to the airport for the trip back home to Upstate New York. I know that this trip will be one that the campers and the volunteers will remember for the rest of their lives and for me, I was like the proud Grandfather, watching the campers, volunteers and staff all have a great time, interacting, bonding and making some great memories together, and I am so pleased that Camp Good Days is able to make this experience possible. Of course this trip would not be possible without the amazing support of some special people.
This trip has taken place since 1985 and was originated when Rochester businessman, Wayne Meisenzahl, who was completing his own treatment for cancer, wanted to give children touched by cancer the opportunity to experience firsthand, the magic of Central Florida. The Annual Florida Trip has continued because of the generosity of Ms. Germaine K. Hess, one of Meisenzahl’s clients, who left a bequest to Camp Good Days, through an estate, specifically to ensure that Camp Good Days will be able to continue providing the trip.
In addition, the trip is made possible through the Teddi Project at Camp Good Days. The Teddi Project is supported through the annual Dance for Love, a 24-hour dance marathon at St. John Fisher College. The 30th Annual Dance for Love took place this past February 17-18, 2012. The trip is also supported through the Sugarman Smiles Fund, which was established at Camp Good Days by local businessman, Gary Sugarman, and is a wish-fulfillment program for those dealing with cancer, over age 18; as well as the Gary Amendola Fun Fund, which was established in memory of Gary Amendola, who was a good friend, supporter and member of the Camp Good Days’ Board of Directors and lost his own battle with cancer. The Gary Amendola Fun Fund provides the means for Camp Good Days to host special outings, activities and events throughout the year.
I am now back in the office and that is all the time there is for reflection because it is really busy as we put all of the final details into place for the Wine Auction Dinner, which takes place this Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. Over the past 12 years, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner has become the largest fundraising event, in the Rochester area, to benefit the children and families at Camp Good Days and I know that because of the hard work and dedication of the committee members, this year is sure to be another great success!
While going through the items in my office this morning, I was so pleased to see the Exceptional Citizen Award, which was given to me by Shannon McVeigh and the Rochester Elks Lodge #24. I am sorry that I could not personally accept the award, as I was out of town for the Florida Fun Fest trip, but I greatly appreciate the honor. Tonight, I will be receiving the Town of Pittsford’s Citizen of the Year Award and I am truly humbled and honored to have been nominated and selected for this award.
Right now, I am drained, both physically and emotionally, but it was a wonderful trip and I feel so blessed to be recognized and honored for what we are doing here at Camp Good Days, but as I always say – I am just the pretty face! It is the amazing staff members and the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who make it possible for us to continue providing the good days and special times to the many children and families who need them!
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