Fall Update

Hello there!  I know it has been some time since my last post, but as always, there has been so much going on here, and as the summer wound down, I went straight into football, which as many of you know I am an Assistant Football Coach at St. John Fisher College, here in Rochester.

I learned last month that my long-time assistant, Laura, is moving on to bigger and better things and to the sunshine.  The odds of winning the lottery are better than finding another Laura and trying to fill those big, big shoes (actual size 5 ½), so after much thought and discussion, we have decided to take her responsibilities and divide them up amongst some staff members here at the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters. 

Chrissy Woods, who has been part of the Camp Good Days’ family for many years, as a Camp Counselor, Aquatics Director, Program Director, and most recently as Camp Director, will be taking on the role of my assistant, handling my calendar, correspondence and assisting with a number of different things we are involved with.  This will give Chrissy the opportunity to see Camp Good Days from a different perspective and to learn new skills, and I am pleased that she has accepted this challenge.  Phil Martello, our current Social Media Specialist, who is a recent graduate of St. John Fisher College and has been with us for a year is going to take on the communications and public relations responsibilities.  I am confident that both Chrissy and Phil will do a great job with these new responsibilities and we all wish Laura the very best as she begins this next chapter in her life. 

Overall, we had a fantastic summer and the many campers had an experience that they will remember for a long time to come.  Special thanks to all those who volunteered at the summer camping programs – without all of you we would never be able to create such good days and special times for those who need them the most!

We have one more weekend program, a session of our Supportive Spouse Program, next weekend, October 18-20, 2013, and the end of that program will officially close out our 2013 camping season. 

Our new fiscal year began on October 1, 2013 and we are now in the process of preparing for our Annual Independent Audit and beginning to plan for the coming year, which is a major milestone, as we will be celebrating our 35^th Anniversary!

We are so thrilled to share that through the overwhelming generosity of Jay and Jay Jay Vanderstyne, Vanderstyne Toyota, and Toyota Motors, we have been given the opportunity to host the Camp Good Days’ Car Raffle once again!  With the donation from Vanderstyne of a 2014 LE Plus Corolla, one hundred percent of all ticket sales will benefit the children and families at Camp Good Days.  The Camp Good Days’ Car Raffle began on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 and the drawing will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Teddi Dance for Love at St. John Fisher College.  The 2014 LE Plus Corolla features power windows, power locks, 16-inch Alloy Wheels, 6.1” Touch Screen / Bluetooth/USB/AUX/CD with Backup Camera, and Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof.  The Toyota Corolla offers the ideal blend of comfort, value and safety.  Tickets for the Camp Good Days’ Car Raffle are $20.00 each, or 3 tickets for $50.00 and may be purchased by contacting Camp Good Days at 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135 or online at www.campgooddays.org.  Tickets may be purchased using cash, check, or credit card.  The prize winner must be at least 18 years of age.

Plans are now underway for the Annual Joe Benet Memorial Kazoo Fest.  I am so excited that the JC Penney stores at Eastview Mall, Marketplace Mall, and Greece-Ridge Center Mall have all agreed to partner with us again this year in the Rochester area to have the Kazoo Fest set-up at the mall entrances to their stores.  We are also excited to have Kazoo Fest locations at Destiny USA in Syracuse, the Walden-Galleria Mall in Buffalo, and at the Old Navy at The Shops at Ithaca in Ithaca.  The Kazoo Fest will take place from Friday, November 29, 2013 through Monday, December 23, 2013 and is a wonderful opportunity for us to not only generate some much needed funds to help make our programs possible, but provides us with the venue in which to reach many people and share all that we do with them.  We are in need of HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS to help make the Kazoo Fest a great success.  No previous experience is needed and volunteers can select their preferred location, date(s), and times.  All of the Kazoo Fest Volunteer Information and Sign-Up can be found on our website, www.campgooddays.org, or by contacting your local Camp Good Days’ Office (Headquarters / Rochester: 585-624-5555 / 800-785-2135; Buffalo: 716-206-0709; Syracuse: 315-434-9477; Ithaca: 607-266-9180). 

Plans are also coming together for Camp Good Days COURAGE BOWL IX.  This year’s game will be played later in the season, on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at St. John Fisher College’s Growney Stadium, and will feature the St. John Fisher College Cardinals and the Alfred University Saxons, with kick-off slated for 1:00 PM.  COURAGE BOWL IX will be the first COURAGE BOWL to take place in November, and will have major playoff implications for these Empire 8 Conference rivals. COURAGE BOWL IX will be the first game of the COURAGE BOWL series not featuring the University of Rochester, and we are all so happy that the Alfred University Saxons have agreed to be a part of this very special game for this year.  The COURAGE BOWL will continue next year when the Cardinals face The College at Brockport Golden Eagles, in September 2014 and in future COURAGE BOWL games, as they will be joining the Empire 8 Conference in 2014.

As has been done with all previous COURAGE BOWL games, we will select boys, all of whom are campers in Camp Good Days’ programs and are dealing with cancer, to serve as Honorary Coaches, with each team.  The Honorary Coaches will attend a practice with their team the week of the game; will meet their team for pre-game preparations; will be in the locker room with their team; lead their team on to the field; be at midfield for the coin toss; and coach from the sidelines during the game.  We will select girls, also campers who are dealing with cancer, to serve as Honorary Cheerleaders, with each squad.  The Honorary Cheerleaders will attend practice with the squad; meet the squad for pre-game festivities and cheer with the squad during the game.

The Honorary Coaches and Honorary Cheerleaders will be announced and introduced at the COURAGE BOWL Community Luncheon, which will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, hosted by St. John Fisher College President, Dr. Donald Bain, at 11:30 AM in the Cleary Family Auditorium on the campus of St. John Fisher College. 

At the conclusion of the Courage Bowl, the Teddi Trophy, named in memory of my daughter, Teddi, will be presented, which will later be inscribed with the date of the game, final score of the game, names of the six Honorary Coaches and the names of one player from each team who displays exceptional leadership and sportsmanship. 

As part of COURAGE BOWL IX, we will present the Fourth Annual Courage Award.  The Camp Good Days’ Courage Award is presented to someone who displays courage, strength and determination in a time of great struggle.  

Tickets for Camp Good Days COURAGE BOWL IX are available for a donation of $5.00 each.  Tickets are available through the St. John Fisher College’s Athletic Department, 585-385-8309.

COURAGE BOWL IX will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Sports Net, and will be carried live on SportsRadio 950 ESPN and WLEA-AM 1480 in Hornell. 

Special thanks to our COURAGE BOWL IX sponsors: County of Monroe, TOPS Markets, Phoenix Graphics, The Flanders Group, Connors and Ferris and Clear Channel Radio.  Sponsorship opportunities, as well as Program Book Advertisements are still available.  To learn more about how you can get involved in this exciting and meaningful game, check out our website, www.campgooddays.org, or call 585-624-5555. 

In other news, we have had a slight delay in the Call To Action Phase of CANCER MISSION 2020, as this phase is focused around the legislation, H.R. 2301, sponsored by Congressman Tom Reed and co-sponsored by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Congressman Chris Collins, and as we all know, our Federal Government is in the midst of a shutdown.  However, on the positive side, we continue to obtain signatures for the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition, both online and through various events, activities and Petition Drives, and an Update Newsletter is on its way to those who have signed, via regular mail and / or email.  Please help us in this effort, check out the website, www.cancermission2020.com, sign the petition and share the site and information with your contacts.  As I have said many times, it is going to take all of us, coming together, to truly put an end to cancer as we know it, by the end of the decade. 

Again, if you are interested in helping for Kazoo Fest, CANCER MISSION 2020, or any of the programs, activities and events we have going on throughout the year, please contact us!

Wishing you all the best – until next time!

Summer Update

I know it has been quite awhile since my last post and I apologize for the delay, but to say that this summer has been busy is putting it mildly.

I promised myself at the beginning of the summer that I would try to spend more time at our Recreational Facility during our programs.  This was the first time in seven years that I have spent a few days of almost each week at camp and I needed that!  I wish that everyone had time to spend at Camp Good Days, as it is truly a magical and spiritual place.  It is how the world should be – everyone is accepted for who they are -  it doesn’t matter if you are skinny or overweight, short or tall, a girl or a boy, if you have hair or not, if you have a prosthesis or not.  Everyone gets three meals a day, plus snacks, and a roof over their head.  And it all happens in a place as far away from the sterile environment of the hospital, on the shores of beautiful Keuka Lake.  Where else can children who have been dealing with cancer, enduring the most potent treatment available, and spending way too much time in the hospital, get the chance to get back some of their childhood that their illness has stolen from them?  And they get to do it with the only ones in the world who can truly understand what they are going through – other children dealing with cancer. 

To give you just a glimpse of what it is like to spend a week at Camp Good Days, imagine waking up and fishing from a boat; jumping in Keuka Lake as part of Polar Bear Swim; taking a trip to Watkins Glen International as the special guests of Trackmasters, Inc. and having the opportunity to not only see some great cars like Ferraris, Lotuses, Porsches, Corvettes, BMWs, and Mustangs up close and personal, but getting to ride with the drivers around the track; and then having an amazing fireworks show by Young Explosives, just for you, on the shores of Keuka Lake to end the day; waking up to the sound of a hot air balloon in the field and having the chance to take a tethered ride 100 feet in the air and see the beauty of the lake and landscape; and then having the Rochester Rhinos professional soccer team visit and join you for lunch and taking part in a soccer clinic conducted by the Rhinos and joining them for basketball games and on the slip and slide.

There is no other place that the campers from Camp Good Days will get that same experience, and we provide all of these programs free of charge for the participants, which is only possible because of the generous support from so many individuals, businesses, and organizations, the success of special fundraising events and activities, and the dedicated summer staff, volunteers and friends who give so much of their time and their love to help make these programs possible.

It is hard to believe that our 34^th summer is coming to an end soon, and while the world is certainly a much different place than it was when we started on this adventure, it is nice to know that Camp Good Days is still driven by volunteers who do so much to create the best experience possible for the campers, and willingly take on the awesome responsibility of sending the campers home at the end of their session in the same condition in which they arrived.

Last week, we were fortunate to have a concession stand to man at the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill and we are forever grateful to the more than 100 volunteers who helped us with that.  We also had the opportunity to conduct CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives at the Greater Rochester International Airport, and while all of that was taking place, one of my favorite weeks of the summer, Teddi’s Team, which is for children with cancer, ages 8-12, was taking place at the Recreational Facility.  I am out of breath just sharing all of that so you can imagine what it was like to live it.

I am forever grateful to our dedicated staff of professionals who always put what is best for Camp Good Days and the children and families we serve at the forefront, and who always live our motto of adapting and adjusting.

Until next time…wishing you a healthy, happy and safe remainder of the summer and only good days and special times.

 

CANCER MISSION 2020 - Important Legislation Introduced!

Today is a very important day for all of us and our efforts with CANCER MISSION 2020.  Earlier this morning we held a Press Conference, here at the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters, with Congressman Tom Reed, to announce the re-introduction of the CANCER MISSION 2020 legislation.  H. R. 2301 – ‘Clinical Trial Cancer Mission 2020 Act’ was introduced in to the House of Representatives, sponsored by Congressman Reed and co-sponsored, thus far, by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Congressman Chris Collins. 

 

Joining Congressman Reed and I this morning were Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks; Monroe County Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Byron Kennedy; Monroe County Clerk, Cheryl Dinolfo; Rochester City Council Member, Elaine Spaull; Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s District Director, Patty Larke; Thompson Health President & CEO, Michael Stapleton, and others.  I am so pleased that so many people took the time out of what are very busy schedules to attend the Press Conference and demonstrate their on-going support for this very important effort.

 

The CANCER MISSON 2020 legislation will strengthen cancer research reporting requirements to make research data more available and ensure taxpayer dollars are not being spent on duplicative studies. The lack of enforcement in reporting clinical trial results led Congressman Reed to draft and reintroduce legislation that makes it mandatory for researchers to publish all data from clinical studies, whether the results are positive or negative. The bill establishes a national clearinghouse, under the auspices of the National Institute of Health (NIH) and includes penalties for researchers who do not comply.

 

As Congressman Reed stated this morning, we want to make sure important clinical trial results are made available to all researchers so that we might improve care, increase the chances of finding a cure, and safeguard taxpayer dollars from funding redundant research.

 

Treating cancer costs the United States over $130 billion each year. This bill ensures taxpayer dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently, preventing duplicative or redundant research and withholding future government support from those who fail to report their research findings. Grantees who receive federal funds to conduct research must submit clinical trial outcomes within 30 days of their discovery or face possible ineligibility to apply for future funding.

 

The reintroduction of this legislation enables us to move to the second phase of CANCER MISSION 2020, with a call to action, urging citizens, and our leaders, that finding the answers to cancer needs to be a priority and on the front burner. This legislation will also bring us closer to creating a much-needed collaborative and coordinated effort in the fight against cancer, so that the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.

 

 

As I have shared in the past, CANCER MISSION 2020 is built upon three key components: INFORMATION – CALL TO ACTION – ACCOUNTABILITY and is based on a quote I saw many years ago at the Fred Hutchinson Bone Marrow Transplant Center in Seattle, “There is no limit to what we can accomplish, as long as it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.” 

 

To put things in perspective: the odds of tripping while texting are 1 in 10 – the odds of getting cancer in your lifetime are 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women.  11,000 Americans are dying from cancer every week – that is one American every single minute.  And to bring it even closer to home, cancer is the leading cause of death, here in Monroe County.

 

Since we started in December 2010, CANCER MISSION 2020 has made great progress and the website has had thousands of visitors from all over the world, including all 50 states and 95 foreign countries and thousands have signed the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition, both through the website and during a number of Petition Drives that have been held throughout the Greater Rochester and Monroe County areas. 

 

We need everyone’s help and support as we move into this call to action phase and work to have the CANCER MISSION 2020 legislation signed into law.  Please take a few minutes to visit the website, www.cancermission2020.com, read H.R. 2301, and contact your representative, asking for their support of this important legislation.  And please share the website, legislation, and petition with your network of contacts, urging them to do the same.  It will only be through this grassroots work and the support from so many that we will be successful in our call to action and able to move on to the final phase – accountability! 

Almost Summer Camp Time!

I know it has been quite some time since my last post, and I do apologize for that, but there has just been so much going on and all of a sudden here we are, at the end of May and coming up on Memorial Day Weekend!

Some of the highlights of the past couple of months include the Annual Florida Fun Fest trip and the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner. 

 

On Thursday, April 25, 2013, a group of approximately 30 campers and volunteers departed from the Greater Rochester International Airport and embarked on the Annual Florida Fun Fest Trip.  We started in St. Petersburg, where we stayed at the beautiful Tradewinds Resort and everyone had the chance to take part in all they have to offer including swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, swimming in the pool, playing miniature golf, going on the giant, inflatable water slide and more.  On Thursday night, everyone was the special guests of good friends, Steve and Patty DiGennaro and their neighbors.  Steve and Patty, along with their friends, put on an amazing cookout dinner at their home and the campers had the chance to swim in the pool, fish off the dock, and play games.  Once again this year, Steve and Patty and their friends went above and beyond in welcoming the campers and volunteers and everyone had a great evening.  On Friday morning, the group took a Dolphin Watch Boat Tour during which we saw dolphins, sting rays and manatees.  On Saturday, the Children’s Cancer Center in Tampa welcomed Camp Good Days with open arms, hosting us for lunch and games at their facility.  It was a fun afternoon and a great opportunity for some of our campers to meet the children that the Children’s Cancer Center serves.  We are looking forward to a long relationship with Patty O’Leary and her staff and to having some of their children attend a program at Camp Good Days this summer.  The group headed to Orlando on Saturday afternoon, checking into the Seralago Suites.  On Sunday morning, John and Linda Mongoven, and some of the residents of Hunter’s Creek put on a fantastic brunch for the group and had Chief Rowley do his Snake Education Show for everyone.  As in the past, Chief Rowley’s show was a hit with the campers and John and Linda, and everyone who helped made it a great morning for us!  After Hunter’s Creek we headed to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure and then rounded out our trip on Monday by spending the day at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. 

The Camp Good Days’ Florida 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 Annual Florida 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 31^st Annual Dance for Love took place this past February 8-9, 2013.  The trip is also supported by 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.

If you want to see just how much fun everyone had on the trip, check out the photo album on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/CampGoodDays79. 

 

Upon returning from the Annual Florida Fun Fest trip, we headed right into the 13^th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Auction Dinner, which was held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel and which, over the past 13 years has become our largest fundraising event in the Greater Rochester area.  The Wine Auction Dinner is the culmination of months of hard work and features the medal winning wines from the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, which was held at the end of March.  The Wine Auction Dinner begins with a Sponsor & VIP Reception, followed by Wine Tasting, and Silent and Live Auction Preview and the Auction and Dinner at 7:00 PM.  Rich Funke served as the Master of Ceremonies and Matthew Chung, Fine Wine Consultant with Chai Consulting, LLC in San Francisco, served as the Auctioneer again this year. 

 

Known as one of the world’s largest charitable wine competition, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition is open to all commercial wineries from all wine-producing countries.  A record 3,504 wines were entered from 842 wineries, representing 20 countries, 4 Canadian Provinces, and all 50 United States. The competition judges awarded 104 Double Gold, 174 Gold, 1,204 Silver and 1,327 Bronze medals this year. Special award categories included: the John Rose Award for the best in class Riesling, presented to Chateau Fontaine 2011 Semi-Sweet Riesling; the Crystal Grape Award for the best in class Icewine, presented to Znovin Ryzlink Rynsky 2009 Riesling Icewine; the highest scoring Double Gold Chardonnay, presented to Bogle Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay and for the highest scoring Double Gold Cabernet Sauvignon, presented to Merriam Vineyards 2009 "Gloeckner-Turner Ranch"  Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile AVA.  More information about the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner, as well as the complete list of medal winning wines is available at www.fliwc.com. 

As a special treat for all those in attendance, New York State Lieutenant Governor, Robert Duffy, and his wife, Barbara, were our special guests and the truly magical moment of the evening was when one of our campers, Katie Foster, shared her story and experience with all of the guests and reminded them how much their continued support means and how important that support is.  

 

Overall, the 13^th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Auction Dinner was another resounding success and will ultimately help us to provide some good days and special times for some very special children, adults and families this summer!

From a personal standpoint, I learned this past January that Lieutenant Governor, Robert Duffy, had nominated me for the 2013 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  Sponsored by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO.org), the Ellis Island Medals of Honor are presented annually to American citizens who have distinguished themselves within their own ethnic groups while exemplifying the values of the American way of life.  Past Medalists include six U.S. Presidents, one foreign President, Nobel Prize winners and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government, as well as everyday Americans who have made freedom, liberty and compassion a part of their life’s work. 

 

I then received word earlier this spring that I was indeed selected as one of the recipients for this year and Wendy and I traveled to New York City for the various activities, events, Award Ceremony and Gala, which took place on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the Great Hall on Ellis Island.  It is hard to put into words how truly special the weekend was.  It was a weekend full of wonderful activities, events, and people that I will never forget.  Over the years, I have had the opportunity to attend a variety of events and meet many people from all walks of life, but I can honestly tell you that the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Ceremony and Gala tops the list.

 

I am truly humbled by this unexpected honor.  To be included as part of the 2013 group of Medalists, for an award that has been presented to Bob Hope, Mohammad Ali, former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and so many more exceptional and amazing people is a reflection on this wonderful adventure that has been Camp Good Days for the past 34 years.  It is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and love of so many volunteers that have enabled us to serve more than 44,000 campers from 22 states and 28 countries; as well as all those who have helped us to establish and embark on our most recent initiative, CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE.” 

In regards to CANCER MISSION 2020, I am excited that we are soon moving into the Call To Action phase of our plan, as we will be joining United States Congressman, Tom Reed, in early June, to share the re-introduction of the CANCER MISSION 2020 Legislation into the House of Representatives.  More specific details about this important legislation, as well as ways in which you can help and share this information, will be available in the coming weeks.  We also continue to build our database of CANCER MISSION 2020 supporters, conducting CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives and collecting signatures at all of the various activities and events we are involved with. 

We are now focusing on getting everything ready to go for the summer camping programs and there is still time to register for the various programs we provide, for children, young adults, adults, and families.  Check out www.campgooddays.org for the complete schedule and online registration forms.  We are also getting ready for the Volunteer Training Sessions, to ensure that all those dedicated men and women who are willing to help us provide the best programs possible for our campers are well-equipped with the tools and information they need.  There is also still time to sign up as a volunteer.  Volunteer Applications are available on the website and can be completed and submitted online.  I can assure you that volunteering at one of the Camp Good Days’ summer programs will be one of the most amazing experiences of your life and one you won’t soon forget!

 

If you are not able to commit to a full program at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility but still want to be involved and help out, there are many ways to do that as well. 

 

We are again this summer partnering with the Rochester Rhinos and Western New York Flash teams and conducting Quarters for Cancer at all of their home games at Sahlen’s Stadium.  Volunteers are needed to help collect quarters from game attendees and to help share information about Camp Good Days.  For more information and the schedule, please email Laura Osborn, losborn@campgooddays.org. 

 

We are thrilled and excited that Camp Good Days has been selected as one of the beneficiary organizations for the PGA Tour at Oak Hill Country Club, which will take place August 5-11, 2013.  This is a wonderful opportunity for us to raise some much needed funds and to share Camp Good Days with PGA attendees, but we are going to need many, many volunteers to help us make this a success.  To learn more about how you can volunteer for the PGA with Camp Good Days, please email Nicole Jones, njones@campgooddays.org. 

 

We have a variety of special fundraising events on the calendar and are looking for event attendees, participants, supporters, sponsors, and volunteers.  Some of the events include the Tournament of Love Golf Tournament, which will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at Monroe Golf Club, chaired by our good friends, Rich and Pat Funke; Brew Ha Ha on Friday, June 14, 2013; Just Clowning Around 5K on Saturday, July 13, 2013 in Mendon; the Creative Black-Tie Gala, Great Wall of Courage, in Buffalo on Saturday, June 22, 2013; Bocce Bash on Saturday, July 20, 2013; Soccer in the Sand on Saturday and Sunday, August 3-4, 2013; the Syracuse Golf Tournament on Monday, August 5, 2013; Corey-Coffey Golf Classic on Monday, August 19, 2013; the Fashion Show in Buffalo on Sunday, September 22, 2013; Tour de Teddi on Saturday, September 28, 2013; and Courage Bowl IX on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

As you can see, it has been quite busy and eventful around here and we are now heading into our busiest season, but we are excited about the coming summer programs and to doing what we do best – providing the best programs and services, all in an effort to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges and helping to create some truly good days and special times for those who need them the most!

 

As I was going through the mail today, I received a few things from long-time volunteer and friend, Larry Sicurella.  I read with great interest one of the items he sent, which he wrote and dedicated to a fellow volunteer, Craig Lawrence, who became a great friend and mentor to him.  As we are getting ready to begin our 34^th summer, I thought I would share it with you…

Camp Good Days Creed

By Larry Sicurella

 

If you go to Camp Good Days, there’s some guide lines to follow

Eat all the camp food till your very last swallow

Try all the activities they have at the camp

There’s no shame in trying, you’ll feel like a champ

Take off your wig, we don’t care about hair

Wear what you want no one will stare

Bring your best voice, there’s plenty of singing

And be ready to eat when the breakfast bells ringing

The week will fly by, savor each day

It starts with a service in which we all pray

Just remember at camp there are no limitations

The counselors are unique they have different vocations

We are here together we’re a family for sure

And we’ll keep coming to camp till they find a cure

I promise you one thing Camp isn’t boring

And hopefully you’ll sleep through your counselors snoring

You must take a shower during the week

We all sleep in a cabin and we don’t want it to reek

Pick out a great costume for a Camp Good Days Dance

There’s dresses, sport coats, and all sorts of pants

Each day we are here you will laugh till you cry

And at the end we will hug and say our goodbyes

As you leave on the bus and shed your last tear

You’ll be counting the days till you come back next year

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month / Night of Gratitude

Maybe it is just me, but the time really seems to be going by so quickly!  We are already into the third month of the New Year, the end of the second quarter of our fiscal year, and this past Wednesday was 31 years since my daughter, Teddi, the inspiration for Camp Good Days, lost her battle to cancer.  I continue to be amazed and honored everyday by the overwhelming legacy she has left and how much one little girl has impacted the lives of so many children, families, volunteers, and supporters – most of whom never had the opportunity to know her.

 

When Teddi passed away, I believed that there would no longer be the need for Camp Good Days some 31 years later, as I was sure that we would have found the answers to cancer by now, but that is unfortunately not the case.  In an effort to address the fact that we have still not found the answers, we established CANCER MISSION 2020…THE END OF CANCER BY THE END OF THE DECADE (www.cancermission2020.com).  Through CANCER MISSION 2020, we have made some real progress, through Congressional District Cancer Summits, CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives, and I am excited to share that Congressman Tom Reed is in the process of re-introducing CANCER MISSION 2020 Legislation into the House of Representatives. 

 

As many of you know, it was also through our work with CANCER MISSION 2020 that we learned that cancer is now the leading cause of death, here in Monroe County and last September, I, along with Dr. Byron Kennedy, Deputy Director of the Monroe County Department of Public Health presented the Action Plan to Reduce the Burden of Cancer in Monroe County, to Monroe County Executive, Maggie Brooks and more than 100 government, business, medical, and community leaders.  In November 2012, we focused on lung cancer, the number one cancer killer in Monroe County and this month we are focusing on colorectal cancer, the second leading cancer killer in our community. 

 

At a Press Conference held this morning, which is National Dress in Blue Day, at the TOPS Market on Winton Road, I joined local community leaders, Dr. Byron Kennedy, Deputy Director, Monroe County Department of Public Health; Matthew Flanigan, Regional Vice President, American Cancer Society; Candice Lucas, URMC Center for Community Health; Jeff Adair, President of the Monroe County Legislature; and Dana Miller, Vice President, Rochester City Council, to remind residents of Monroe County and the Greater Rochester area that March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. 

 

Deaths from colorectal cancer can be prevented through screening.  When colorectal cancer is diagnosed early, at the localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 90%. In some cases colorectal cancer can be prevented when precancerous polyps are removed during colonoscopies.

There are several different screening tests that can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer. Each one can be used alone; sometimes they are used in combination. People should talk with their doctor about which test(s) is right for them and how often they should be tested. For those of average risk, screening tests usually begin at age 50.

 

Screening tests that can detect cancer and polyps include a colonoscopy; the flexible sigmoidoscopy; the virtual colonoscopy; and the double-contrast barium enema.  There are also screening tests that are less invasive, and may indicate cancer.The fecal immunochemical test (FIT), also called an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT), is a newer kind of stool test that also detects occult (hidden) blood in the stool. This detection is important because it can be a sign of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. In addition to screening tests, some ways in which people can help to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer include: regular screening after 50 years of age; eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods; limiting the intake of high-fat foods, including red and processed meats; limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco use; being physically active with at least 30 minutes of exercise on four or more days of the week; maintaining a healthy weight; and knowing your family's cancer history.

 

There are a variety of activities taking place throughout the month, as part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.   

 

As part of CANCER MISSION 2020 we will host three CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives at the local Department of Motor Vehicle locations.  The CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drives will take place on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Greece Branch of DMV, located at Greece Ridge Center Mall (Entrance 2); on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Irondequoit Branch of DMV, located in Titus Mall, 545 Titus Avenue; and on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM at the Henrietta Branch of DMV, located in Suburban Plaza, 2199 East Henrietta Road. Department of Motor Vehicle customers and the general public are invited to stop by and sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition. 

 

People may also sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition online at www.cancermission2020.com and download hard copies of the petition as well. 

 

Jeff Calkins, General Manager of the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial has generously made a display case in the main lobby available for us to share information about the burden of cancer in Monroe County and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with local sporting and other special event attendees. 

 

In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Services Program of Monroe County will be in four TOPS Markets locations, 450 West Avenue, 2345 Buffalo Road, 1900 S. Clinton Avenue, and 1100 Jefferson Road, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 to give out FIT kits to those who are uninsured, as well as to share information with those who do have insurance.  TOPS Markets will have information available for customers throughout the month of March.  The Cancer Services Program is also conducting an extensive media campaign this month to generate awareness and share information about colorectal cancer.

 

Please take some time this month to do what you can to help reduce your chances and the chances of those you love and care about from being diagnosed with colorectal cancer and take a moment to visit the CANCER MISSION 2020 website, www.cancermission2020.com – you’ll find some exciting changes – sign the CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition and join us in this important effort to find the answers that have been alluding us.

 

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, next Friday, March 8, 2013, we will host A Night of Gratitude, at the Rochester Plaza Hotel in Downtown Rochester, during which we will recognize the 2012 Teddi Award Winners and Ring of Honor Inductees. 

 

The Ring of Honor was established as part of Camp Good Days’ 25^th 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, being recognized at A Night of Gratitude are: Katie Bess; Maggie Brooks; Nancy Chestnut; Brian Cuvelier & Family; Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; Peter Formicola (posthumously); Aimee Gasparre; Rob & Tina Harter; Jerry Romanowski; Louise Slaughter; St. John Fisher College Football; Mark Soule; Walden Galleria Mall; Scott Vallow; Jayne Van Zile; Chris Van Zile-Stabins; and University of Rochester Football

 

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 Award are: Eliana Blatt; Travis Butchello; Campground Owners of New York; Canisius College Women’s Basketball; Annmarie Charo; Jerrod Church; Patrick & Suzanne Crough; Steve & Patty DiGennaro; Louie Donato; Joe Donato; Tony Donato; East Amherst Dental; Matt Elkins; Mark Gestring, MD; Otto Harnischfeger; Dave Henderson; Justin Jerzak; Lauren Keeler; Dave Petrie; Pittsford Dairy; Walter Sanders; Nikki Sepielli; Beth Shope; St. Luke’s Cookie Baking Ladies; and Vogue Salon & Day Spa.

 

We hope that you will help us in honoring and thanking all of our award recipients.  Tickets are still available for $30.00 per person and may be purchased by contacting Laura Osborn, here at the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters, 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135, or via email, losborn@campgooddays.org.  You can also purchase tickets online, at www.campgooddays.org. 

 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy weekend and with our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, we wish the very best to the students at Lansing High School in Ithaca who are hosting their Night of Life event this evening, and to all of the students at Fayetteville-Manlius who will dance the day and night away on Saturday, for the Fayetteville-Manlius Dance Marathon!

Teddi Dance for Love & More

One of my favorite sayings is that if you want to see God laugh, plan!  I had all good intentions of updating you with a post last week, but unfortunately I was under the weather and am just now starting to feel better and get caught up with work.

 

I didn’t feel well enough to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the 31^st Annual Teddi Dance for Love at St. John Fisher College last Friday evening, which was so difficult for me, as this is the first time in the history of this special event that I have not been there on Friday night.  Thankfully, I did make it on Saturday evening for the Closing Ceremonies and I am so glad that I did!  The Teddi Dance for Love is one of my favorite times of the year.  There are two things in life that are always guaranteed – whenever the Teddi Dance for Love takes place, it is always so cold outside, but inside, the warmth and love from all of the dancers is overwhelming.  It has been said that the two greatest gifts that we as human beings can give to one another are our time and our love.  Over those 24 hours, each and every one of them give so much of both, and their efforts will directly result in the creation of some good days and special times for some very special children and families who are dealing with cancer.  As Teddi’s Dad, they go above and beyond in helping to keep my daughter’s spirit and memory alive.  There are truly no words to express my gratitude for that special gift they give to me.

 

THANK YOU! To Danielle Allington, Chair and Jenny Keeler, Vice-Chair, along with the entire Teddi Dance for Love Committee, the hundreds of participants, all of the volunteers, and the administration, faculty and staff at St. John Fisher College, and Honorary Chairman, Steve Hausmann, co-host of Coffee in the Morning on 92.5 WBEE for making the 31^st Annual Teddi Dance for Love a tremendous success, generating $50,931.56 to support the Teddi Project at Camp Good Days, which helps to provide the Annual Florida Fun Fest trip and other special activities and events for the children and families we serve. 

 

Similar to all those who planned, participated in and supported the Teddi Dance for Love, there are so many individuals, businesses, and organizations that make it possible for us to do all that we do here at Camp Good Days – and all that we are able to give back is a good feeling and the knowledge that they are helping some very special children and families.  Next month, we will be recognizing and honoring some of those that have made a real difference in the lives of the children and families at Camp Good Days.  On Friday, March 8, 2013, we will host A Night of Gratitude, at the Rochester Plaza Hotel in Downtown Rochester, during which we will recognize the 2012 Teddi Award Winners and Ring of Honor Inductees. 

 

The Ring of Honor was established as part of Camp Good Days’ 25^th 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, being recognized at A Night of Gratitude are: Katie Bess; Maggie Brooks; Nancy Chestnut; Brian Cuvelier & Family; Monroe County District Attorney’s Office; Peter Formicola (posthumously); Aimee Gasparre; Rob & Tina Harter; Jerry Romanowski; Louise Slaughter; St. John Fisher College Football; Mark Soule; Walden Galleria Mall; Scott Vallow; Jayne Van Zile; Chris Van Zile-Stabins; and University of Rochester Football

 

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 Award are: Eliana Blatt; Travis Butchello; Campground Owners of New York; Canisius College Women’s Basketball; Annmarie Charo; Jerrod Church; Patrick & Suzanne Crough; Steve & Patty DiGennaro; Louie Donato; Joe Donato; Tony Donato; East Amherst Dental; Matt Elkins; Mark Gestring, MD; Otto Harnischfeger; Dave Henderson; Justin Jerzak; Lauren Keeler; Dave Petrie; Pittsford Dairy; Walter Sanders; Nikki Sepielli; Beth Shope; St. Luke’s Cookie Baking Ladies; and Vogue Salon & Day Spa.

 

We hope that all who are able will join us for this very special evening and help us in honoring and thanking all of our award recipients.  Tickets to attend A Night of Gratitude are $30.00 per person and may be purchased by contacting Laura Osborn, here at the Camp Good Days’ Headquarters, 585-624-5555 or 800-785-2135, or via email, losborn@campgooddays.org.  You can also purchase tickets online, at www.campgooddays.org. 

 

The rest of this week brings a number of meetings for the Tournament of Love, the Tour de Teddi, our weekly Staff Meeting, and a Project Exile Advisory Board Meeting.  So things are busy and continue to move along. 

 

Until next time…wishing you all a great week and a very Happy Valentine’s Day filled with lots of love!

New Year Update

It is hard to believe that we are already one month into the New Year!  I hope that everyone had a joyous Holiday Season and a great start to 2013. 

 

We had a very successful Holiday Season, here at Camp Good Days, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the JC Penney Managers and Employees at Marketplace Mall, Greece Ridge Center Mall, and Eastview Mall, as well as the Rochester Lancers, City of Rochester, the Walden-Galleria Mall in Buffalo, Destiny USA in Syracuse, and Old Navy at the Shops at Ithaca, as well as all of the volunteers and those who helped to support Camp Good Days and Special Times’ Annual Joe Benet Memorial Kazoo Fest this Holiday Season.

 

With the start of the New Year, we are actively pursuing our goals and objectives, which I shared with all of you in my last post. 

 

One of those is to continue the efforts of CANCER MISSION 2020, moving from the INFORMATION Phase to the CALL TO ACTION Phase.  I am pleased to share with you that I had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Tom Reed this week and he will re-introduce the CANCER MISSION 2020 Legislation, as soon as possible.  Once we have the new bill information, we will be sure to share that with all of you, so that you can ask your representatives to support this important legislation.  We also met this week, with some of our colleagues who helped to develop the Action Plan to Reduce the Burden of Cancer in Monroe County to discuss some ideas and plans for March, which will be Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  Cancer is the leading cause of death, here in Monroe County, and colorectal cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in our community.  We look forward to sharing our plans for next month with all of you very soon.  Save the date – if you live in and around the Greater Rochester area, our next CANCER MISSION 2020 Petition Drive will take place next Friday, February 8, 2013 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Rochester City Hall.  Everyone is welcome to stop in and see us, sign the petition, and obtain informational materials about our work to end cancer by the end of the decade.

 

We will also continue the work we do under the auspices of the Partners Against Violence Everywhere (PAVE) Initiative, and Project Exile, working to remind people about the awesome responsibility that comes with gun ownership. One important thing I have learned through my involvement with Project Exile, and according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, is that approximately 39% of crime guns here have been stolen.  Project Exile is supported by both the NRA and the Brady Gun Lobby, and no one is denying our Second Amendment right as Americans to own a gun, but there is an enormous responsibility to gun ownership.  The horrific tragedies that occurred in Newtown, and in our own backyard in Webster on Christmas Eve, are the worst kind of violence, and while we need to be more conscious about mental illness and provide a support system for those individuals and families dealing with that, we need to have a very serious conversation about guns, and it needs to start with our leadership at the top.  Hopefully these tragedies will finally lead to some positive action.

 

Tune in to the Camp Good Days’ Radio Show next Thursday, February 6, 2013 at 6:30 PM on WYSL News 1040 AM / 92.1 FM to hear more about this topic, from local law enforcement officials and prosecutors, including United States Attorney for the Western District of New York, William Hochul; United States Marshal, Charles Salina; Resident Agent-in-Charge for the Rochester Office of the Bureau of ATF, Scott Heagney; Monroe County District Attorney, Sandra Doorley, and Rochester Police Chief, James Sheppard.  If you are outside of the listening area, you can get the podcast of the show at www.wysl1040.com. 

 

As many of you know, special fundraising events are vital to Camp Good Days, as they provide the means for us to continue keeping the promise I made 34 years ago - that all of our programs and services would be provided free of charge for the participants, so as not to create any additional financial burden on those families served.  Oftentimes, especially when a child is diagnosed with cancer, one of the parents (if the child is lucky enough to have both parents in their life) becomes the primary caregiver and must cut back their hours at work.  With that, the family income decreases, yet the bills remain the same, and I never wanted a family to have to make the decision between sending their loved one to Camp Good Days and paying their bills.  There are very few things that are the same price as they were in 1979 – that price being free.

 

This morning, some of us had the pleasure of attending the Beary Brunch, at St. John Fisher College this morning.  The Beary Brunch is the official kick-off to the Teddi Dance for Love week.  The 31^st Annual Teddi Dance for Love will take place next Friday & Saturday, February 8 & 9, 2013 in the Student Life Center at St. John Fisher College.  This 24-hour dance marathon is planned and implemented by a student committee at the college and raises funds to support the Teddi Project, here at Camp Good Days, providing the funds necessary for us to be able to take campers on special outings and activities, and on the Annual Florida Fun Fest.  The Teddi Dance for Love is one of my favorite times of year; a time when you see firsthand the true meaning of love, hope, and giving.  Each and every year, I continue to be amazed by the hard work, dedication and devotion displayed by the Teddi Committee, all of the participants, volunteers and supporters, and the overall St. John Fisher College community.  As Teddi’s Dad, all those involved with the Teddi Dance for Love help to keep my daughter’s spirit and memory alive.  There are truly no words to express my gratitude for that special gift they give to me. 

 

We will be bringing a group of campers to the Teddi Dance for Love on Saturday, from 4:00 PM – 8:15 PM.  The campers always have a blast, meeting and dancing with the participants, and the Closing Ceremonies, as well as the Opening Ceremonies, are truly remarkable.  Prior to attending the Teddi Dance for Love, the campers are in for a fun-filled weekend, which begins on Friday evening with a sleepover party, complete with ice cream sundaes and movies.  On Saturday morning, the group will head to Canisius College, where they will be the special guests of the Women’s Basketball Team, taking a tour of the locker room, having pizza in the Griff’s Den, and watching the team take on Loyola.

 

One of my personal goals is to be more consistent with these blog posts, in an effort to keep you all up-to-date.  Sometimes it can be a bit difficult, as you can tell from the number of different programs, events, activities and efforts we are involved with – but I promised to do my best.

 

So, until next week (hopefully), I wish you all a safe and wonderful Super Bowl Weekend!