Monday, April 18, 2011
Support for CANCER MISSION 2020
Leaders are lending their support to CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE, helping to pave the way for a comprehensive, cohesive, collaborative way in which we will finally find the answers that have been eluding us in the war on cancer. CANCER MISSION 2020 is the movement to build awareness and create a call to action, to ensure collaboration and a coordinated effort between public and private sectors in cancer research. Those who sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition are joining, as concerned citizens who urge our nation’s leaders to act now to reevaluate where we stand in our fight against cancer and to make finding a cure for cancer, by the end of the decade, a top priority. Twenty-eight government, community, business, medical, and media representatives have generously given their support, time and talent to film short video segments for CANCER MISSION 2020, which can be found at www.cancermission2020.com. These supporters include: Louise Slaughter, United States Congresswoman; Tom Reed, United States Congressman; Robert Duffy, New York State Lieutenant Governor; James Alesi, New York State Senator; Maggie Brooks, Monroe County Executive; Michael Green, Monroe County District Attorney; Cheryl Dinolfo, Monroe County Clerk; Jeff Adair, Monroe County Legislature President; Elaine Spaull, Rochester City Council Vice President; Sandra Doorley, Monroe County Assistant District Attorney; David Koon, former New York State Assemblyman; Richard Constantino, MD, Rochester General Hospital; Louis Constine, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center; David Korones, MD, University of Rochester Medical Center; Arnold Klinsky, former General Manager, NEWS10NBC; Rich Funke, Anchor, NEWS10NBC; Ginny Ryan, Anchor, 13WHAM TV; John Kucko, Sports Director, WROC TV-8/FOX Rochester; Brother Wease, Morning Show Host, 95.1 The Fox and cancer survivor; Greg Smith, President of Jay Advertising and cancer survivor; Peter Parts, Owner, Peter Parts Electronics and cancer survivor; Soccer Sam Fantauzzo, Owner, Salvatore’s Pizza; Bishop Gregory Parris, Pastor, Church of Love Faith Center; Shari Hall Smith, cancer survivor; Dan Mason, General Manager, Rochester Red Wings; Rod Baker, Head Coach, Rochester Razor Sharks; Iris Zimmermann, medal-winning Olympic Fencer; and Bill Sedgewick, Assistant Coach, Rochester Rhinos. YOU CAN BE A PART OF HISTORY…JOIN THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THEIR SUPPORT TO CANCER MISSION 2020! Visit www.cancermission2020.com and sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 PETITION!
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Power of Young People
Over the past couple of months, I have been truly amazed by the support, generosity, dedication and hard work of so many young people across Upstate New York. Hundreds of high school and college students have recently spent countless hours and given so very much of themselves, all in an effort to help create some good days and special times for the many children and families who are a part of Camp Good Days. The Teddi Committee at St. John Fisher College held their 29th Annual Teddi Dance for Love, a 24-hour dance marathon held each February on the St. John Fisher College campus. The Dance for Love has been a part of the Camp Good Days’ history since almost the very beginning and remains one of the most special events held each year. New this year, a student committee at Ithaca College planned and held the Inaugural Dance for Courage on the Ithaca College campus. Then we have the unbelievable students at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, who have been hosting their Dance Marathon for many years and this year, reached the $1 Million mark of funds generated to support the children and families at Camp Good Days! In addition to many hours and many students dancing, a group of young people in the Rochester area planned and implemented the third annual HOPE JAM, a fun-filled day on the slopes for skiers and snowboarders of various ages and abilities, as well as a snowboarding and twin tip ski competition. A very heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to all the students and young people who have gone above and beyond to make a real difference in the lives of our campers here at Camp Good Days. It is because of these events and the students who coordinate them and participate in them that we know the real power of young people and the impact they can have on our community and our world, now and in the future. I am calling on all young people to help us in our newest endeavor, CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE. Many are on board, but we need many, many more to reach our goal of having a comprehensive, cohesive, collaborative way in which we will finally find the answers that have been eluding us in the war on cancer. CANCER MISSION 2020 is seeking college students to serve as CANCER MISSION 2020 College Campus Advocates. To date, advocates from the following colleges and universities are already on board: St. John Fisher College, University of Rochester, John Carroll University, University at Buffalo, Hilbert College, Finger Lakes Community College, Utah Valley University, Keuka College, Niagara University and SUNY Oswego. I AM ASKING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO DO ME A FAVOR…PLEASE JOIN CANCER MISSION 2020 TODAY! Visit www.cancermission2020.com and sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 PETITION and learn more about how to join the CANCER MISSION 2020 effort as a CANCER MISSION 2020 College Campus Advocate.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
CANCER MISSION 2020 - DO YOUR PART!
It seems that in our society, we have come to accept that cancer is just a fact of life and we can do nothing about it. It has come to the point that it is not a matter of “if” you will get cancer, but just a matter of “when”. Recent research indicates that all of us have cells in our body that have the potential at some point to start growing erratically and haphazardly, turning into cancer, and once that process starts and is detected, we begin our battle with this horrible disease, and this is something that is just accepted.
I am convinced that the only way we can truly defeat cancer and put an end to it, is if we the people, all of us, decide and demand that more needs to be done and no longer just accept that cancer is something we or a loved one will have to deal with.
After talking to a number of people that I respect and admire, some of them physicians and researchers at some of the best cancer centers in the United States, I am sure that we can find the answers, but first and foremost we need to create the will in the American people that we want more done and we want it done now! Each of us has the ability to say that this is where we want our hard-earned dollars to go and we need to make finding the answers to cancer a topic of national discourse. The experts feel that there has never been a better time than now with all of the technology and tools available to us.
The first steps to finding a cure to cancer by the end of the decade are for all of us to say that this is what we want and then begin spreading the word. If you are satisfied with where cancer is today in the United States then we are never going to find the answers, at least not in our lifetime.
What happened to that belief, attitude and spirit that we, as Americans in this great country, can do anything if we put our minds to it?
I feel that it is unacceptable that 11,000 Americans die from cancer every week. These 11,000 Americans do not live in a vacuum, they are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and as in my case, they are our children. If you are 85 years of age or younger in the United States today, cancer is the leading cause of death and if you are between the ages of 30-65, cancer claims the lives of more Americans than the next three causes combined! One out of every three American women and one out of every two American men will face a cancer diagnosis at some point in their life. Deaths from cancer in the United States today are equivalent to one of the Twin Towers falling every single day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! We can no longer depend on others to do what needs to be done. We all need to become advocates for ending cancer by the end of the decade.
If you feel as I do, please take a few minutes to visit our Cancer Mission 2020 website, www.cancermission2020.com and sign-up to be a part of this effort. You only need to give your name and email address. Once you have done that, please share the site with your family, friends, colleagues and co-workers and ask them to visit the site and sign-up and then share it with their network of contacts. If we each do these two simple things - sign-up and pass it along - we will create a movement and take the first significant steps in our journey to finding the answers and putting an end to cancer by the end of the decade!
We all know family members, friends, and colleagues who are dealing with cancer right now, and we ourselves may have to face that battle as well, but at least we will know that by signing up at Cancer Mission 2020, www.cancermission2020.com, we are trying to do our part to make ending cancer one of our nation’s top priorities, rather than sitting back and watching the continual devastation that cancer continues to plaque on our loved ones.
Yes, finding the answers to cancer is a daunting task, but the time to begin is now and I challenge each of you to do your part!
I am convinced that the only way we can truly defeat cancer and put an end to it, is if we the people, all of us, decide and demand that more needs to be done and no longer just accept that cancer is something we or a loved one will have to deal with.
After talking to a number of people that I respect and admire, some of them physicians and researchers at some of the best cancer centers in the United States, I am sure that we can find the answers, but first and foremost we need to create the will in the American people that we want more done and we want it done now! Each of us has the ability to say that this is where we want our hard-earned dollars to go and we need to make finding the answers to cancer a topic of national discourse. The experts feel that there has never been a better time than now with all of the technology and tools available to us.
The first steps to finding a cure to cancer by the end of the decade are for all of us to say that this is what we want and then begin spreading the word. If you are satisfied with where cancer is today in the United States then we are never going to find the answers, at least not in our lifetime.
What happened to that belief, attitude and spirit that we, as Americans in this great country, can do anything if we put our minds to it?
I feel that it is unacceptable that 11,000 Americans die from cancer every week. These 11,000 Americans do not live in a vacuum, they are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and as in my case, they are our children. If you are 85 years of age or younger in the United States today, cancer is the leading cause of death and if you are between the ages of 30-65, cancer claims the lives of more Americans than the next three causes combined! One out of every three American women and one out of every two American men will face a cancer diagnosis at some point in their life. Deaths from cancer in the United States today are equivalent to one of the Twin Towers falling every single day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! We can no longer depend on others to do what needs to be done. We all need to become advocates for ending cancer by the end of the decade.
If you feel as I do, please take a few minutes to visit our Cancer Mission 2020 website, www.cancermission2020.com and sign-up to be a part of this effort. You only need to give your name and email address. Once you have done that, please share the site with your family, friends, colleagues and co-workers and ask them to visit the site and sign-up and then share it with their network of contacts. If we each do these two simple things - sign-up and pass it along - we will create a movement and take the first significant steps in our journey to finding the answers and putting an end to cancer by the end of the decade!
We all know family members, friends, and colleagues who are dealing with cancer right now, and we ourselves may have to face that battle as well, but at least we will know that by signing up at Cancer Mission 2020, www.cancermission2020.com, we are trying to do our part to make ending cancer one of our nation’s top priorities, rather than sitting back and watching the continual devastation that cancer continues to plaque on our loved ones.
Yes, finding the answers to cancer is a daunting task, but the time to begin is now and I challenge each of you to do your part!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
CANCER MISSION 2020!
CANCER MISSION 2020…The End Of Cancer By The End Of The Decade
JOIN THE MISSION TODAY!
On June 22, 2009, Camp Good Days and I were pleased to host the 29th Congressional District Cancer Summit at our Recreational Facility on Keuka Lake and since that time have been working, planning, and putting the pieces in place to finally establish a coordinated, comprehensive, and cohesive effort to find the answers that have been eluding us in the fight against cancer. Today, Thursday, December 2, 2010, we officially launched Cancer Mission 2020…The End Of Cancer By The End Of The Decade!
There has never been a better time than right now, for all of us to come together, using the many tools, technology and resources available to us, to defeat this disease that is claiming the lives of some 11,000 Americans each week. It is as if one of the Twin Towers is falling every single day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. One out of every three American women and one out of every two American men will face a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetime and in the United States, if you are 85 years old or younger, cancer is the leading cause of death. According to a report earlier this year from the World Health Organization, not only was cancer proclaimed to be the most economically devastating disease, but it is now the number one disease killer in the world. If we don’t do something here in the United States, cancer will be the leading cause of death, regardless of age, by the year 2016. We are now in the position that it is not a matter of “if” but just a matter of “when” we ourselves or someone we love will have to battle this horrible disease. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. It is time to do something different and actually obtain different results!
Cancer Mission 2020 brings together doctors, researchers and other medical practitioners, legislators and government officials, representatives from support and service agencies, cancer patients, and community members, to move forward with a goal of having 1.5 million voices, together as one, leading the way with a new game plan, with the ultimate mission to end cancer by the end of this decade!
The mission begins at www.cancermission2020.com, and includes educating ourselves and those around us about taking advantage of what we know now (screenings, diet and lifestyle changes, etc.); increasing the knowledge of and patient participation in clinical trials, especially in the cases of adults with cancer, where the current participation is only 3-5%; having patients be able to participate in clinical trials without the fear or possibility of having their health insurance canceled as a result; publicly sharing the results of cancer research – we can’t afford to duplicate research efforts; converting the healthcare system from one that is illness-based to one that is wellness-based; calling for a National Cancer Summit; and rekindling the belief and the will in the American people that cancer is a disease that will not be tolerated any longer and can be defeated!
Cancer Mission 2020 is the movement to demand action, results, and to ensure that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing so that we can be victorious, once and for all, in our fight against cancer.
Join me, join more than one million others, join Cancer Mission 2020 and know that you will be a part of a coordinated effort to END CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE!
JOIN THE MISSION TODAY!
On June 22, 2009, Camp Good Days and I were pleased to host the 29th Congressional District Cancer Summit at our Recreational Facility on Keuka Lake and since that time have been working, planning, and putting the pieces in place to finally establish a coordinated, comprehensive, and cohesive effort to find the answers that have been eluding us in the fight against cancer. Today, Thursday, December 2, 2010, we officially launched Cancer Mission 2020…The End Of Cancer By The End Of The Decade!
There has never been a better time than right now, for all of us to come together, using the many tools, technology and resources available to us, to defeat this disease that is claiming the lives of some 11,000 Americans each week. It is as if one of the Twin Towers is falling every single day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. One out of every three American women and one out of every two American men will face a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lifetime and in the United States, if you are 85 years old or younger, cancer is the leading cause of death. According to a report earlier this year from the World Health Organization, not only was cancer proclaimed to be the most economically devastating disease, but it is now the number one disease killer in the world. If we don’t do something here in the United States, cancer will be the leading cause of death, regardless of age, by the year 2016. We are now in the position that it is not a matter of “if” but just a matter of “when” we ourselves or someone we love will have to battle this horrible disease. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results. It is time to do something different and actually obtain different results!
Cancer Mission 2020 brings together doctors, researchers and other medical practitioners, legislators and government officials, representatives from support and service agencies, cancer patients, and community members, to move forward with a goal of having 1.5 million voices, together as one, leading the way with a new game plan, with the ultimate mission to end cancer by the end of this decade!
The mission begins at www.cancermission2020.com, and includes educating ourselves and those around us about taking advantage of what we know now (screenings, diet and lifestyle changes, etc.); increasing the knowledge of and patient participation in clinical trials, especially in the cases of adults with cancer, where the current participation is only 3-5%; having patients be able to participate in clinical trials without the fear or possibility of having their health insurance canceled as a result; publicly sharing the results of cancer research – we can’t afford to duplicate research efforts; converting the healthcare system from one that is illness-based to one that is wellness-based; calling for a National Cancer Summit; and rekindling the belief and the will in the American people that cancer is a disease that will not be tolerated any longer and can be defeated!
Cancer Mission 2020 is the movement to demand action, results, and to ensure that the right hand knows what the left hand is doing so that we can be victorious, once and for all, in our fight against cancer.
Join me, join more than one million others, join Cancer Mission 2020 and know that you will be a part of a coordinated effort to END CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE!
Monday, June 21, 2010
A Whirlwind, Yet Wonderful Weekend!
As I sat watching the Red Wings play yesterday afternoon, during a beautiful day at Frontier Field, I thought about how much had transpired over the past few days and what a whirlwind of a weekend it had been, but a wonderful weekend filled with great people all helping to create some good days and special times!
I started the weekend early, as I left the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters on Friday afternoon and headed over to Lakeshore Country Club for the Rich Funke, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament. It was so nice to be able to spend some time with Rich and Pat, and to see some of Rich Jr.’s friends from school, who continue to come out each year to play in and support this special event. It was also nice to see Molly Dillon, whose brother, Mark, was one of the original campers at Camp Good Days. Wendy also had the chance to see some people she hasn’t seen since high school, and overall, it was a great day of golf and friends!
On Saturday morning, I got up early and headed down to the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility, where the Young Adult Program was taking place, for those young men and women, ages 18-39 who are dealing with any form of cancer. What an extraordinary group of individuals! All of the young men and women were having a great time, in a beautiful environment, and sharing their experience with probably the only people in the world who can understand what they are going through – other young adults dealing with cancer. I am so pleased that we are able to provide this program for these young people, and that we are able to do so at no cost to the participants, as is the case with all of our programs.
In order for us to be able to provide our programs free of charge for the participants, we rely on the support and generosity of so many and the success of our special fundraising events. So, on Saturday afternoon, I left the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility and headed to Buffalo for the Camp Good Days’ Creative Black Tie Gala…Campers in Wonderland…which was a fantastic event coordinated by Lisa Donato in our Buffalo Office and her amazing team of volunteers and supporters. From the theme, to the decorations, the volunteers, campers, and guests, it was truly an evening in WONDERLAND!
In addition to raising some of the funds to support our programs and services it also provided the opportunity to spend an evening with some friends including Buffalo Sabres’ Head Coach, Lindy Ruff; Honorary Chairman, Paul Gaustad; outstanding supporters, Lorraine & Hormoz Mansouri; United States Attorney, William Hochul and his wife, Kathy; former United States Attorney, Denise O’Donnell and her husband, John; United States Congresswoman, Louise Slaughter and her husband, Bob; as well as longtime volunteers, Mike & Linda Spino, Larry Sicurella, Dick Esthimer, and so many more!
On behalf of all the children and families at Camp Good Days, I would like to thank all those who volunteered their time to make the Buffalo Creative Black Tie gala another wonderful success, and many thanks to all those who attended and generously supported the event!
As we begin a new week, during which we are all preparing for the start of the residential camping programs, I am looking forward to the week ahead and another whirlwind weekend, during which we will host the seventh of our Project T.I.P.S. (Trust, Information, Programs & Services) events, where we will join with local law enforcement and community agency partners to work in the Ontario & Scio Street neighborhood to help combat the crime and violence the residents there have dealt with; and to Saturday morning, as I have been invited to provide the Commencement Address at Gananda High School, where my granddaughter, Ryan, will graduate!
It is a busy time for sure, but as I reflect on the weekend past and think of what is coming this week, I feel blessed and honored to have such wonderful people and dear friends who all come together, in big ways and small, to help create some good days and special times that we all share!
I started the weekend early, as I left the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters on Friday afternoon and headed over to Lakeshore Country Club for the Rich Funke, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament. It was so nice to be able to spend some time with Rich and Pat, and to see some of Rich Jr.’s friends from school, who continue to come out each year to play in and support this special event. It was also nice to see Molly Dillon, whose brother, Mark, was one of the original campers at Camp Good Days. Wendy also had the chance to see some people she hasn’t seen since high school, and overall, it was a great day of golf and friends!
On Saturday morning, I got up early and headed down to the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility, where the Young Adult Program was taking place, for those young men and women, ages 18-39 who are dealing with any form of cancer. What an extraordinary group of individuals! All of the young men and women were having a great time, in a beautiful environment, and sharing their experience with probably the only people in the world who can understand what they are going through – other young adults dealing with cancer. I am so pleased that we are able to provide this program for these young people, and that we are able to do so at no cost to the participants, as is the case with all of our programs.
In order for us to be able to provide our programs free of charge for the participants, we rely on the support and generosity of so many and the success of our special fundraising events. So, on Saturday afternoon, I left the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility and headed to Buffalo for the Camp Good Days’ Creative Black Tie Gala…Campers in Wonderland…which was a fantastic event coordinated by Lisa Donato in our Buffalo Office and her amazing team of volunteers and supporters. From the theme, to the decorations, the volunteers, campers, and guests, it was truly an evening in WONDERLAND!
In addition to raising some of the funds to support our programs and services it also provided the opportunity to spend an evening with some friends including Buffalo Sabres’ Head Coach, Lindy Ruff; Honorary Chairman, Paul Gaustad; outstanding supporters, Lorraine & Hormoz Mansouri; United States Attorney, William Hochul and his wife, Kathy; former United States Attorney, Denise O’Donnell and her husband, John; United States Congresswoman, Louise Slaughter and her husband, Bob; as well as longtime volunteers, Mike & Linda Spino, Larry Sicurella, Dick Esthimer, and so many more!
On behalf of all the children and families at Camp Good Days, I would like to thank all those who volunteered their time to make the Buffalo Creative Black Tie gala another wonderful success, and many thanks to all those who attended and generously supported the event!
As we begin a new week, during which we are all preparing for the start of the residential camping programs, I am looking forward to the week ahead and another whirlwind weekend, during which we will host the seventh of our Project T.I.P.S. (Trust, Information, Programs & Services) events, where we will join with local law enforcement and community agency partners to work in the Ontario & Scio Street neighborhood to help combat the crime and violence the residents there have dealt with; and to Saturday morning, as I have been invited to provide the Commencement Address at Gananda High School, where my granddaughter, Ryan, will graduate!
It is a busy time for sure, but as I reflect on the weekend past and think of what is coming this week, I feel blessed and honored to have such wonderful people and dear friends who all come together, in big ways and small, to help create some good days and special times that we all share!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Creating Memories
When my daughter, Teddi, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 1979, it quickly became apparent to me that it was not the surgery, radiation or chemotherapy that was causing her the most pain, it was the loneliness and the fact that her battle with cancer was robbing her of her childhood. Therefore, one of my main objectives when starting Camp Good Days and Special Times 31 years ago, was to be able to provide an opportunity for children with cancer to regain some of that lost childhood, and have the chance to just be kids, with the only others in the world who could truly understand what they were going through – other children with cancer.
I also wanted Camp Good Days to be a place where children and families could create some wonderful memories and I chose the name because I wanted it to be GOOD DAYS when the children were at Camp Good Days, and the memories of the SPECIAL TIMES they had, would carry them through the difficult times. I hope that we here at Camp Good Days have been able to fulfill that commitment of creating memories, through the residential camping experiences and year-round events and activities. Sometimes, we are able to help make memories, through the support of those in our community, who offer the opportunity for some of our campers to be a part of something extraordinary.
This past Wednesday evening, I sat in the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, with some of our staff members, and watched with excitement as one of our campers, Matt Elkins, served as the Honorary Chairman for the Rochester Press Radio Club’s Day of Champion’s Dinner, alongside, Coca-Cola Sports Personality of Year Award Recipient, Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees. Throughout the entire evening, Matt’s grin went from ear to ear, as he sat next to Drew Brees, in front of some 1200 attendees.
Matt is an eighth-grade student and has been a camper for the past six years, here at Camp Good Days, having battled cancer. In addition to attending Camp Good Days, Matt served as an Honorary Coach with the St. John Fisher College Cardinals for the Inaugural Courage Bowl, the annual football game between the St. John Fisher College Cardinals and the University of Rochester Yellowjackets, to benefit Camp Good Days.
Thanks to the Rochester Press Radio Club, we were able to provide an opportunity for Matt and his family to create some very special memories on Wednesday night. Despite the dais being two-tiered with award recipients and honorees, Drew Brees took a few moments to recognize Matt and to thank him for helping him out. I can only imagine how exciting that was for Matt, to have one of the most popular and successful NFL players take the time to not only take photos and sign autographs but to recognize him in front of all the other honorees and attendees.
It is opportunities and experiences, such as the one we were able to share with Matt on Wednesday, that truly exemplifies what Camp Good Days is all about and why we do all that we do for children and their families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges, and it is the memories carried away that are the “good days and special times”.
I also wanted Camp Good Days to be a place where children and families could create some wonderful memories and I chose the name because I wanted it to be GOOD DAYS when the children were at Camp Good Days, and the memories of the SPECIAL TIMES they had, would carry them through the difficult times. I hope that we here at Camp Good Days have been able to fulfill that commitment of creating memories, through the residential camping experiences and year-round events and activities. Sometimes, we are able to help make memories, through the support of those in our community, who offer the opportunity for some of our campers to be a part of something extraordinary.
This past Wednesday evening, I sat in the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, with some of our staff members, and watched with excitement as one of our campers, Matt Elkins, served as the Honorary Chairman for the Rochester Press Radio Club’s Day of Champion’s Dinner, alongside, Coca-Cola Sports Personality of Year Award Recipient, Super Bowl MVP, Drew Brees. Throughout the entire evening, Matt’s grin went from ear to ear, as he sat next to Drew Brees, in front of some 1200 attendees.
Matt is an eighth-grade student and has been a camper for the past six years, here at Camp Good Days, having battled cancer. In addition to attending Camp Good Days, Matt served as an Honorary Coach with the St. John Fisher College Cardinals for the Inaugural Courage Bowl, the annual football game between the St. John Fisher College Cardinals and the University of Rochester Yellowjackets, to benefit Camp Good Days.
Thanks to the Rochester Press Radio Club, we were able to provide an opportunity for Matt and his family to create some very special memories on Wednesday night. Despite the dais being two-tiered with award recipients and honorees, Drew Brees took a few moments to recognize Matt and to thank him for helping him out. I can only imagine how exciting that was for Matt, to have one of the most popular and successful NFL players take the time to not only take photos and sign autographs but to recognize him in front of all the other honorees and attendees.
It is opportunities and experiences, such as the one we were able to share with Matt on Wednesday, that truly exemplifies what Camp Good Days is all about and why we do all that we do for children and their families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges, and it is the memories carried away that are the “good days and special times”.
PHOTO: Matt Elkins served as one of the Honorary Coaches with the St. John Fisher College Cardinals, for the Inaugural Camp Good Days Courage Bowl in September 2005.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Night of Gratitude!
There are few places in which you can bring together a group of people, of varying age, race, gender, and life experience, and have them all be there for the same reason – to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. I have been so blessed over the past 30 years that Camp Good Days is one of those rare places. We have had thousands and thousands of volunteers and supporters over the years that have all come to Camp Good Days with one common goal – to improve the quality of life for children and their families whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Each year, we honor some of these men and women who have truly gone above and beyond in helping us to fulfill our mission. We have traditionally presented the Teddi Awards and the Ring of Honor inductees at our Annual Holiday Party, but we felt that these special people deserved a special night of their own, where we could take the time to really recognize and honor their endless hours of dedication, time and love to the children and families we serve.
This past Friday evening we held our first Annual Night of Gratitude and by all accounts it was a wonderful success! Some 200 guests including our honorees, their families, friends, and other volunteers and supporters of Camp Good Days gathered together at the Rochester Plaza in downtown Rochester.
During A Night of Gratitude, we recognized those individuals selected as recipients of the Teddi Award, named in memory of my daughter, Teddi, the inspiration behind Camp Good Days, who are all people who throughout the course of 2009 gave above and beyond to the children and families at Camp Good Days.
Some, like Frank Towner, Dave O’Brien, John Brown, Canandaigua National Bank and the Rochester Red Wings, stepped up in the past year to help us celebrate our 30th Anniversary Year; while others such as Stacey & Chris Ruisi, Lynne & Randy Stiefler, Tony Gasparre, Judy & Merrill Greenstein, Scott Vallow, Key Bank in Buffalo, and the managers and employees at JC Penney stores in the Rochester area, helped to ensure that our many special fundraising events were successful, enabling us to raise the funds necessary to continue providing all of our programs free of charge for the participants. The recipients like Tom Kelly, Bell Steffen, Lenny Craft, and Dawn Hezel are all volunteers who are there for us every time we ask, helping us to provide our campers with safe, fun and unique residential camping programs and year-round recreational and support activities.
THANK YOU to all of our Teddi Award recipients for all they did to help Camp Good Days and CONGRATULATIONS on your Teddi Award!
We also recognized those selected for induction into the Camp Good Days’ Ring of Honor. The Ring of Honor was established as part of Camp Good Days’ 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 Ring of Honor Inductees are: Lyle Corey, Eric Foster, The Gayden / Pettway Family, David Korones, MD, The Lederman Family, Sande Macaluso, Lorraine & Hormoz Mansouri, Sue Powers,
Carmen Ramos, and TOPS Markets. Words are not enough to express the years of volunteer service and astounding financial support these inductees have given to the children and families at Camp Good Days…some for more than 10 years and some who have been with us since the very beginning in 1979!
In addition to the Ring of Honor Inductees noted above, we inducted Shannon Grieve, our former Camp Director / Volunteer Coordinator, who had been with Camp Good Days for more than eight years. Shannon has recently moved on to a new position with ABVI-Goodwill and hers will be big shoes to fill!
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our Ring of Honor Inductees and THANK YOU for everything you have done and continue to do to help Camp Good Days!
Over the past 30 years, Camp Good Days has served more than 42,000 campers from 22 states and 25 foreign countries! We have received the coveted Four-Star Rating from CharityNavigator.org and we have been inducted into the Safety 1st Hall of Fame by Markel Insurance Companies. The only reason we have been able to do this and that we are able to continue all that we do is because of the support we receive from so many, like all those selected as Teddi Award recipients and inductees into the Ring of Honor.
It has been said that the two greatest gifts we as human beings can give to one another is our time and our love…all of those we recognized and honored at A Night of Gratitude have given so much of both and they are truly so very much appreciated!
Each year, we honor some of these men and women who have truly gone above and beyond in helping us to fulfill our mission. We have traditionally presented the Teddi Awards and the Ring of Honor inductees at our Annual Holiday Party, but we felt that these special people deserved a special night of their own, where we could take the time to really recognize and honor their endless hours of dedication, time and love to the children and families we serve.
This past Friday evening we held our first Annual Night of Gratitude and by all accounts it was a wonderful success! Some 200 guests including our honorees, their families, friends, and other volunteers and supporters of Camp Good Days gathered together at the Rochester Plaza in downtown Rochester.
During A Night of Gratitude, we recognized those individuals selected as recipients of the Teddi Award, named in memory of my daughter, Teddi, the inspiration behind Camp Good Days, who are all people who throughout the course of 2009 gave above and beyond to the children and families at Camp Good Days.
Some, like Frank Towner, Dave O’Brien, John Brown, Canandaigua National Bank and the Rochester Red Wings, stepped up in the past year to help us celebrate our 30th Anniversary Year; while others such as Stacey & Chris Ruisi, Lynne & Randy Stiefler, Tony Gasparre, Judy & Merrill Greenstein, Scott Vallow, Key Bank in Buffalo, and the managers and employees at JC Penney stores in the Rochester area, helped to ensure that our many special fundraising events were successful, enabling us to raise the funds necessary to continue providing all of our programs free of charge for the participants. The recipients like Tom Kelly, Bell Steffen, Lenny Craft, and Dawn Hezel are all volunteers who are there for us every time we ask, helping us to provide our campers with safe, fun and unique residential camping programs and year-round recreational and support activities.
THANK YOU to all of our Teddi Award recipients for all they did to help Camp Good Days and CONGRATULATIONS on your Teddi Award!
We also recognized those selected for induction into the Camp Good Days’ Ring of Honor. The Ring of Honor was established as part of Camp Good Days’ 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 Ring of Honor Inductees are: Lyle Corey, Eric Foster, The Gayden / Pettway Family, David Korones, MD, The Lederman Family, Sande Macaluso, Lorraine & Hormoz Mansouri, Sue Powers,
Carmen Ramos, and TOPS Markets. Words are not enough to express the years of volunteer service and astounding financial support these inductees have given to the children and families at Camp Good Days…some for more than 10 years and some who have been with us since the very beginning in 1979!
In addition to the Ring of Honor Inductees noted above, we inducted Shannon Grieve, our former Camp Director / Volunteer Coordinator, who had been with Camp Good Days for more than eight years. Shannon has recently moved on to a new position with ABVI-Goodwill and hers will be big shoes to fill!
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our Ring of Honor Inductees and THANK YOU for everything you have done and continue to do to help Camp Good Days!
Over the past 30 years, Camp Good Days has served more than 42,000 campers from 22 states and 25 foreign countries! We have received the coveted Four-Star Rating from CharityNavigator.org and we have been inducted into the Safety 1st Hall of Fame by Markel Insurance Companies. The only reason we have been able to do this and that we are able to continue all that we do is because of the support we receive from so many, like all those selected as Teddi Award recipients and inductees into the Ring of Honor.
It has been said that the two greatest gifts we as human beings can give to one another is our time and our love…all of those we recognized and honored at A Night of Gratitude have given so much of both and they are truly so very much appreciated!
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