CANCER SUMMIT UPDATE

This past Monday, June 8, 2009, I was pleased to join Congressman Eric J.J. Massa at his Pittsford District Office and later that same day at his Corning District Office, to officially announce the CANCER SUMMIT, which will be held at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility on Monday, June 22, 2009 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. We have invited doctors, nurses, social workers, community agency representatives, as well as those who are dealing with and / or have survived their battle with cancer.

For me personally, this CANCER SUMMIT is a dream come true and something I have been waiting for, for a very long time. In 1971, President Nixon wanted to defeat cancer by our country’s Bicentennial in 1976. Here we are now, in 2009, and we have yet to find the answers that have been eluding us in the War on Cancer, which is the most dysfunctional war our country has ever fought. However, in his address to Congress this past February, President Obama opened the door, when for the first time since President Nixon, he stated that cancer is a disease that touches all of us and we can defeat it in our lifetime.

When I started Camp Good Days, I honestly believed that during my lifetime, we would find a cure for cancer and that I would no longer have to watch parents go against the laws of nature and bury their children, as I did, instead of the way it should be, with children burying their parents after a long and rich life. During the past year, I have attended the funerals for nine of our campers.

I have long been frustrated that we as a country have not done more to defeat this disease that this year will kill more than 560,000 of our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, grandparents, and children. In the next 14 months, more Americans will die from cancer than died in every military conflict of the 20th Century, combined. Cancer is an equal-opportunity disease that knows no race, gender, nationality or age. This is not a Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal, or Independent issue, IT IS A PEOPLE ISSUE! President Obama has opened the door and it is the responsibility of all of us to help him successfully defeat cancer, in our lifetime.

We hope this workshop will provide the venue in which we can all come together and discuss ways in which we can develop a grassroots effort for our country’s commitment to bringing the war on cancer to the forefront of the public’s attention and the government’s agenda, as well as map out the steps necessary to defeat this disease. We hope to provide the model for other Congressional Districts across the country.

As a special highlight to our Cancer Summit, Dr. Brian Monahan will be joining us as our Keynote Speaker. Dr. Monahan currently serves as the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. He is responsible for the 535 members of the House and Senate, as well as the nine justices of the Supreme Court. He holds the rank of Rear Admiral and was formerly Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the National Naval Medical Center.

As we embark on this journey, I ask that each of you thinks of what you can do to help, as we will bring together the best and will work under the philosophy I first saw hanging on the wall at the Fred Hutchinson Bone Marrow Transplant Center, and now hangs on the wall here at Camp Good Days…”There is no limit to what we can accomplish, as long as it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”…

The CANCER SUMMIT is free of charge to attend, but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration forms may be obtained by contacting Laura Osborn, here at Camp Good Days, 585-624-5555 or losborn@campgooddays.org, or on our website, http://www.campgooddays.org/.

CANCER SUMMIT

As I talked about in my last blog posting, I have long been frustrated that we as a country have not done more to defeat cancer, a disease that this year will kill more than 560,000 of our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children. However, in his address to Congress this February, President Obama provided the opening, when for the first time since President Nixon in 1971, he stated that cancer is a disease that touches all of us and we can defeat it in our lifetime.

I am so pleased to announce that my Congressman, Eric J.J. Massa, has asked me to lead a grassroots effort, through an initial workshop, to be held this coming June at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility in Branchport, New York, for medical practitioners; those who provide support and educational services to cancer patients and their families; those who are battling cancer; and those who have survived their battle.

We hope this workshop will provide the venue in which we can all come together and discuss ways in which we can develop this grassroots effort for our country’s commitment to bringing the war on cancer to the forefront of the public’s attention and the government’s agenda, as well as map out the steps necessary to defeat this disease.

As I first saw hanging on the wall at the Fred Hutchinson Bone Marrow Transplant Center, and now hangs on the wall here at Camp Good Days…”There is no limit to what we can accomplish, as long as it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”…and it is my sincere hope that you will support us in this effort!

A New Sense of Hope

Along with millions of Americans, I watched intently as our new President presented to Congress for the first time, his response to the enormous challenges we face as a nation, as well as to spell out his priorities for his first term in office. This was truly an historical moment, as it was the first time in history that an African American male has served as President and delivered his speech with the first female Speaker of House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and his white Vice President, Joe Biden, behind him.

President Obama made full use of his oratorical skills that the good Lord blessed him with, and did what the President should and must do in times of crisis, which is to be the cheerleader for the American people and provide hope. However, the President, nor the members of Congress and the Executive Branch, can overcome these challenges alone. All of us, male, female, young, old, white, black, brown, and yellow, need to do what Americans have always done, put our petty issues aside and come together to face these challenges.

President Obama’s speech was also historical for me, both personally and selfishly, as this was the first time in my memory, since Richard Nixon in 1971, that I have heard a President say that it is a priority to cure cancer in our lifetime! For the past 30 years, I have dedicated my life with the help and support of so many people, to the founding and building of Camp Good Days and Special Times. Over the years, Camp Good Days has served more than 41,000 campers from 22 states and 25 foreign countries and many of the programs and services started here have been used as models for other cancer treatment centers and organizations all over the world.

While nothing we do at Camp Good Days will find a cure for cancer, I have seen what the diagnosis of cancer can do, both emotionally and financially, to the person battling this horrible disease and their family. I have been to more funerals than anyone should ever go to, because of this disease that will kill some 600,000 Americans this year and more than seven million people around the world. One out of every three women and one out of every two men will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime and for those under the age of 80, cancer is the leading cause of death.

It has been my dream that during my lifetime, I would no longer have to watch parents go against the laws of nature and bury their children, as I did, and instead children should be burying their parents after a long and prosperous life. After watching and listening to President Obama, I turned off my television and I went to bed with a new sense of hope!

Celebrations & Tribulations

Two-thousand and nine represents a very special year, here at Camp Good Days, as we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary Year…30 Years of Bringing Love To Life! Despite this significant milestone and celebration I had hoped that during my lifetime I would not have to go to anymore funerals where parents were burying their children, as I had to do. I had hoped that things would be as they should be where children would be burying their parents, following a long and fulfilling life.

This past January, during a two-week period, myself and all of us at Camp Good Days had to deal with the loss of three very special campers. Two bright young men, Zach and Adam, were participants in our Young Adult Program and should have had their whole life ahead of them, and Marilla, one of the very special participants in our Women’s Oncology Program, all lost their battle to cancer. This illustrates that while we have made progress over the past 30 years, we still have a substantial way to go in our battle against this ruthless disease, which knows no boundaries. Not only does cancer take your life, but it is as if it has to humiliate you while doing so.

I recall back in the early 90s, hearing the news that a beautiful young lady, who also should have had her whole life ahead of her lost her life to a senseless, horrific act of violence. Jennifer, while a student at St. John Fisher College, had participated in the Annual Dance for Love, an event that supports Camp Good Days, of which the students at Fisher will host the 27th Annual Dance for Love this coming weekend, February 6th & 7th. Upon hearing the news of Jennifer’s death, I felt compelled to do something, because as I will be the first to admit that finding the elusive cure to cancer is very difficult, there must be something that we, as a society, can easily do to stop the senseless acts of violence. So, with the help of many friends and colleagues in Greater Rochester, as we had done with Camp Good Days, we formed the Partners Against Violence Everywhere (PAVE) Initiative. The PAVE Initiative sponsors a variety of programs and activities, such as the Sharing & Caring Program, for children who have lost an immediate family member to homicide; Memorial Services, to remember those we have lost to violence; the Teddi “T” 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, to provide youth with a positive activity in a safe and supportive atmosphere; and Project Exile, a joint law enforcement and community initiative to remove illegal guns from the streets of our community. According to statistics from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Project Exile has helped to remove nearly 10,000 guns (pistols, revolvers, and derringers) from the streets of our community, since its inception 10 years ago. One can only imagine the pain and devastation these illegal guns could have caused had they remained on the streets of our community in the hands of those who ought not to have them.

This past weekend, on the last day of January, came the news that one of Rochester’s finest, a young Police Officer who was doing his job to help keep our neighborhoods safe, was shot in the back of the head, and according to reports is fighting for his life. Here again, we have quite a ways to go and this horrible act of cowardice should be a warning to our community about where we are and how far we have to go. We need to combine all of our community’s efforts and resources and deliver one clear message that we will not tolerate this violence any longer. If people are in possession of an illegal gun, this community will send them to prison. NO EXCUSES…NO EXPLANATIONS!

I hope that each of you who reads this looks into yourself for ways in which you can help Camp Good Days and our community this year. Make a commitment to make a difference and please keep the Rochester Police Department Officer Anthony DiPonzio and the children and families at Camp Good Days in your prayers.

The Holiday Season

The snow has started to fall and the Holiday Season is just around the corner, which means it is time for Camp Good Days’ Annual Joe Benet Memorial Kazoo Fest, which will begin on Friday, November 28th and go through December 23rd. We are so pleased to have the support of JC Penney in Rochester; Best Buy in Syracuse and Corning; and the Walden Galleria Mall in Buffalo.

I hope you will all stop by one of the Camp Good Days’ Kazoo Fest locations while you are out doing your holiday shopping and pick up your kazoo, candy cane pen, holiday ornament and other great gifts and stocking stuffers, and help us continue this holiday tradition. In addition to finding some great gifts, you will also be able to pick up some information about our many programs and services and our volunteer opportunities. Check out www.campgooddays.org for your areas’ Kazoo Fest dates and times.

The Holiday Season is a chance to reflect on the year past and count our many blessings. One can choose to see the glass as half empty or half full, and as difficult as times might be, with challenges both large and small, I am so thankful for the many blessings we have had at Camp Good Days, and the thousands of women and men, young and old, who have helped to make Camp Good Days all that it is today.

One of my favorite sayings is from Satchel Paige, who was a pitcher in the old Negro Leagues, (and I am paraphrasing here), “Don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines!”

As we each make our resolutions and plans for the New Year, I hope your plans will include the children and families at Camp Good Days, either through a year-end tax deductible donation, a more significant gift through estate planning, or a donation of time by volunteering.

I am truly excited for the coming year, as we will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary Year for Camp Good Days. Think about that…30 Years of Brining Love to Life for more than 41,000 campers from 22 states and 25 foreign countries!

If you have been a part of our family here at Camp Good Days, THANK YOU, we couldn’t have done it without you! If you want to become a part of our ever-growing family, we welcome you with open arms!

Wishing each and every one of you a joyous Holiday Season and a New Year filled with good health, peace, happiness, and much love!

A WEEKEND OF COURAGE AND A LOST HERO…

How do you go from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley in less than 24 hours? This past weekend was one that will stay with me for a long time to come.

This past Saturday was a beautiful evening at Fauver Stadium on the campus of the University of Rochester where Courage Bowl IV, the annual football game between the St. John Fisher College Cardinals and the University of Rochester Yellowjackets, was played. The Courage Bowl has truly become more than just a football game, and thanks to the Administrations, Coaches, and Players from both teams, a true community event.

This year, 10 special children from Camp Good Days were selected to be an integral part of this exciting event. The six Honorary Coaches and four Honorary Cheerleaders had the opportunity to be a real part of a college football game. The six Honorary Coaches, three with each team, attended practice with their teams last Friday afternoon; joined their teams for the pre-game meal and travel to the game; led their teams onto the field, where they joined the Team Captains at midfield for the coin toss; and spent the game on the sidelines with their teams. The four Honorary Cheerleaders, two with each squad, also attended a practice last week and met their squads to get dressed, do their hair and makeup for the game, and cheered on their teams from the sidelines.

Courage Bowl IV was an exciting game for the nearly 5000 fans who attended, as well as for those who watched the game live on WROC TV-8 or listened live on WYSL News1040AM and Sports Radio WHTK 1280AM. It was truly a remarkable and memorable evening of courage!

I left the game on Saturday night knowing that the special children from Camp Good Days had created memories they would cherish for years to come and the hope that the players and cheerleaders enjoyed the opportunity to grow as individuals and help those less fortunate than themselves.

I went to bed feeling really good but on Sunday morning, my wife, Wendy, told me that she had received some sad news and I could not believe that Denny Dutton, one of our original campers when I started Camp Good Days 29 years ago, and one of our true heroes, had apparently lost control of his motorcycle on Saturday afternoon and had died. I sat on the edge of my bed and called Denny’s wife Sharon, only to hang up the phone and bury my head in the pillow and cry.

Denny was an extraordinary young man. He was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor when he was an adolescent, only a few years older than my daughter, Teddi, was when she was also diagnosed with a very similar malignant brain tumor. Teddi and Denny had the same radiation oncologist, Omar, at Strong Memorial Hospital and at that time there was a very popular television show, The $6 Million Man. Omar told me that Denny’s chances for survival were more than six million to one. Denny survived his brain tumor, but that battle was not without its gains and setbacks, pains and joys. Denny was told that one of the side effects of his treatment was sterility and that he would probably never be able to father children.

As was the case with all that Denny did, he defied the odds, got married and was the father of two beautiful daughters that he and Sharon have raised to be lovely young women. Denny worked at Xerox in Webster and by all accounts was a loving dad to his daughters and a loving and supportive husband to his wife and Denny is my hero. Denny continued to be a part of our Camp Good Days’ family over the years through his support of many events, volunteering when he could, and sharing his story with all those who would listen.

As I look back over my life, I have been blessed to have met many famous people from government leaders, Presidents, corporate and business leaders, athletes and entertainers, but my true heroes are the extraordinary young people, like Denny, I have met through my work as Chairman & Founder of Camp Good Days; young people who through no fault of their own have been dealt a difficult hand in life and have every reason to be mad at the world and walk around with a chip on their shoulder, but not these kids. What they have taken from their battle with cancer is to make everyday special, make everyday the gift that it is, and to live each day to its fullest. They don’t have the time for mundane nonsense that many of us allow ourselves to get bogged down with and ruin our days.

To be sure, Denny lived and marched to the beat of his own drummer and the only satisfaction I have from his untimely and tragic death is that he died doing something he loved – riding his motorcycle on a beautiful, sunny day.

Denny Dutton is probably someone you have never heard of…but he is my hero and someone that will be truly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

More Summer Reading! Standing Tall by Vivian Stringer

I am always picking up and reading books on a variety of topics, but ones that I pick up the most often are those that are inspirational, many of them coming from people within the world of sports. A few months ago, while taking a break in Orlando, I had the opportunity to read, Standing Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy & Triumph, by C. Vivian Stringer and Laura Tucker.

Vivian Stringer is truly a remarkable woman…she is the only coach in history to take three different teams to the NCAA Final Four, most recently with her team at Rutger’s University, where she is the Women’s Head Basketball Coach. She has been a member of the United States Olympic Team Coaching Staff and has received numerous awards, honors, and accolades for her exemplary coaching and leadership.

What most don’t realize is that she is also a remarkable wife, mother, and cancer survivor. Having lost her husband much too soon, she raised her three children, including her youngest daughter, Nina, who has 24-hour care requirements, on her own, and battled breast cancer. Coach Stringer was plunged into the national spotlight, following the remarks of radio show host, Don Imus, and she led her team through that controversy with the utmost in grace, integrity, and dignity.

All of us at Camp Good Days and many supporters and community members had the opportunity to personally meet Coach Stringer and hear firsthand from her about her life’s work and the many tragedies and triumphs she has gone through. Coach Stringer was the Special Guest at the Talkin’ Basketball Dinner on Friday, July 11th, which kicked off our Annual Teddi “T” Sports Fest. Coach Stringer was everything and more than we had hoped for, especially for those of us who had previously read her book. She is an exceptional woman, mother, wife, coach, and leader and one of the members of the sports community who parents would be proud to have their daughters look up to.

It was a wonderful opportunity to have met Coach Stringer and I would encourage all of you to take a little bit of time in the few remaining weeks of summer and pick up a copy of Standing Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy & Triumph, as I know you will be just as impressed with Coach Stringer as I was!