New Year's Blog Post

I hope that everyone had a joyous Holiday Season and a great start to 2014. Two-thousand and fourteen represents a very special year, here at Camp Good Days, as we are celebrating our 35th Anniversary Year… I have spent much time reflecting on the past 35 years, during which we have served more than 45,000 campers from 22 states and 29 foreign countries. In addition, many of the programs and services started right here have been used as models for other cancer treatment centers and organizations around the world. Everything that we have done and continue to do is about improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges. We’re proud to be preparing for our 35^th camping season, and hope you’ll join in on some of the fun we’re planning for 2014!

We had a very successful Holiday Season 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. While funds were down a little overall, we’re thrilled to have raised $86,772 at Kazoo Fest in 2013. We hope to see everyone who volunteered this year at Kazoo Fest again next year!   

On the Monday after Christmas, we got all the Rochester campers together for some Holiday fun at Ellison Park. With the help of Otto Harnischfeger, we filled the cabin to the brim with fun and festive Holiday decorations. We planned out many holiday games and prepared with both indoor and outdoor events. The day could not have been better if we scripted it. About 50 campers in the Rochester area gathered, and the location provided an intimate setting for our campers to reunite. They played games, and even had some special visitors. Santa and Mrs. Clause came in a limo, and were escorted by the Monroe County Sheriffs. The kids loved petting Santa’s reindeer after they got their gifts from Santa as well!

 

On New Year’s Eve, we attended the City of Rochester’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. We had tables set up at the Riverside Convention Center, and it was great to be at the event with a huge crowd and a number of family friendly activities. Joining us was Bill Benet, whose father, Joe, started Kazoo Fest some 68 years ago just a few blocks from where we were, at Sibley’s Department Store. It is amazing to see this holiday tradition still going strong so many years later, and what a blessing that this event benefits the children and families at Camp Good Days. The evening concluded as I was invited to join Rochester Mayor, Tom Richards and City Council Vice President, Dana Miller, to speak about the Rochester community, which was then followed by a beautiful fireworks show.

 

 

Myself, Deputy Mayor Leonard Redon, and Former Mayor Tom Richards.

 

Longtime volunteers Dort and Mike selling kazoos on New Year's. Thanks!

If you found yourself making a resolution to volunteer this New Year’s, I would encourage you to look into our programs. I often feel like a sergeant in the military and all he’s looking for is “a few good men and women.” If you’re interested in making an impact in the community this year, take a look at our programs and services. We’re always looking for new people to make an impact in our organization, and you can learn about the many opportunities we have right online. (http://www.campgooddays.org/Volunteer/)

With the start of the New Year, we are actively pursuing our goals and objectives. We’re excited to commemorate this achievement throughout our events during 2014, and will incorporate our new poster, painted by Steve Christie, former Place Kicker for the Buffalo Bills, at all our events.

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 35 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 today as they were in 1979 – that price being free.

The 32^nd Annual Teddi Dance for Love will take place Friday & Saturday, February 21 &22, 2014 in the Student Life Center at St. John Fisher College. I often think to myself, “Where else can you find 100 people gathered on Wednesday night’s at 9:30 PM to help and plan a fundraiser other than on a college campus?” 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’re also gearing up for the Fayetteville Manlius Dance Marathon. On Wednesday, January 8^th, 2014, 12 members of the Fayetteville-Manlius High School Class of 2014 will take the stage of the school’s auditorium with the responsibility of officially kicking off fundraising for the 23^rd Annual Fayetteville-Manlius Dance Marathon (FM DM), that will take place on Saturday, March 1^st, 2014.  These 12 remarkable students have been nominated as MC’s, and head up the fundraising efforts for FM DM.  The students start working on FM DM as soon as school starts in the Fall (although they’re already excitedly discussing next year as soon as the Dance Marathon ends in March), and after this official kick off for the entire student body, will work tirelessly right through until the event in March. 
 

Over the years, the students and FM Community have raised well over a million dollars for Camp Good Days; last year alone their efforts totaled over $125,000.  The funds they raise with their 12-hour dance send hundreds of children touched by cancer to summer camp each year.  But the best part is, they don’t just send them – they’re at camp right along with them.  Dozens of Fayetteville-Manlius High School students, current and former, volunteer as summer camp counselors each summer, some offering weeks of their time.  For a group of high school kids to unite an entire community and raise over $100,000 is simply amazing.  But for so many of them to volunteer their time during summer camp and throughout the year at every single event in the Syracuse area, that’s beyond words.  We are more than honored that this community comes together this way to help Camp Good Days, and are so grateful to be going into the 23^rd year working with this incredible group of people.

I recently went back through my blog posts, and came across one written on January 3^rd, 2008. It referenced when we opened up our Recreational Facility in 1989. One of the attendees of the ribbon cutting ceremony asked me what I wanted to do next. I replied that I wanted to close Camp Good Days, as I truly believed that at some point, during my lifetime, the answers that had been eluding us in the battle against cancer would be found.

I’m excited about the progress that is being made. Through the efforts of CANCER MISSION 2020, we have now entered the CALL TO ACTION Phase.  I am excited to announce that Congressman Tom Reed has introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, which is sponsored by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter and Congressman Chris Collins, which strengthens the enforcement mechanisms of the requirement to publicly report results of cancer trials and research conducted with federal grant money. The goal of the legislation is greater sharing of cancer research results in the search for a cure to cancer. You can view HR 2301 and support it directly on our website at http://cancermission2020.com/images/BILLS-112hr5283ih.pdf.

Keep in touch with Camp Good Days in 2014. ‘Like’ our page on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@CampGoodDays). Tune in to the Camp Good Days’ Radio Show on 92.1 WYSL FM/1040 AM the first Thursday night (6:30 PM) of every month to hear about what’s new at Camp Good Days.  If you are outside of the listening area, you can get the podcast of the show at http://wysl1040.com. 

My next blog post will feature an in depth look at the 32^nd Annual Teddi Dance for Love, and also touch on our Annual Night of Gratitude, one of my favorite nights of the year.

Additionally, one of my personal goals for 2014 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 promise to do my best.

Holiday Update

As you can imagine, things have been very hectic and busy, here at Camp Good Days, and the time just goes by so quickly.  Can you believe it’s almost 2014? As 2013 rapidly comes to a close we are in the middle of the Annual Joe Benet Memorial Kazoo Fest; preparing a holiday gathering for our Rochester campers; completing our annual independent audit and working on the budget for the coming year. 

The Kazoo Fest is taking place at the malls in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Ithaca, so if you are out doing your holiday shopping, stop by the Kazoo Fest tables and pick up some great stocking stuffers and gifts.  If you are in need of a large amount of kazoos, which make a great addition to any holiday or New Year’s celebration, please call our Headquarters at 585-624-5555 and we would be happy to accommodate your bulk purchase.  Once again, I would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to the store managers and employees at JC Penney at Eastview Mall, Marketplace Mall, and Greece-Ridge Center Mall, as well as the staff at Walden-Galleria Mall, Destiny USA, and the Shops at Ithaca, for their continued support and for making it possible for us to host the Annual Kazoo Fest at their locations again this season.

If you would like to volunteer at Kazoo Fest, you still can through our website at: http://www.campgooddays.org/NewsEvents/KazooFest/#vols

 

 

New additions to the Kazoo tables in 2013 include our new hard-cover cookbooks. “Cooking Up Courage” is filled with recipes from campers, volunteers, staff and even a few celebrities. The cookbook is divided into sections including Appetizers, Entrees, Desserts and Healthy Eating. They are available for $15 at Kazoo Fest, and online at http://www.campgooddays.org/News/Details/?id=229.

On Saturday, November 16, 2013, Courage Bowl IX was played.  The Courage Bowl is the annual football game featuring the St. John Fisher College Cardinals. This year we welcomed the Alfred University Saxons to the Courage Bowl. The Courage Bowl is the annual to benefit the children and families at Camp Good Days.  This year’s game took on extra meaning, as it was the final game of the regular season between conference rivals with a playoff spot on the line. It was also the latest into the season any Courage Bowl had ever been played.

We went into this game wanting to give the Honorary Coaches, which included Joseph Mayer, Benjamin Hammond, and Anders Swanson for the Cardinals; and Abrahm Freeman, Kelvin Shelton, and Mason Stavalone for the Saxons; and the Honorary Cheerleaders, which included Kayla Tiedemann, Sydney Kresconko, and Lauren Miller for the Cardinals; and Erin Matthewson and Meghan Kleinlein for the Saxons; a special experience and the opportunity to create some memories that they will carry with them for a long time.  We also wanted to give the players from both teams the chance to spend some time with these amazing campers.  We were prepared for a cold day knowing it was a November game. We wanted a competitive game on the field, without injuries, that would keep the spectators interested.  We wanted a respectable crowd in the stands and a halftime show different from previous years.

Looking back, we could not have scripted it any better if we tried! The weather was beautiful and both teams showed our campers a great time. Thousands of fans filled Growney Stadium on the St. John Fisher College campus.  It was unseasonably warm for November, and a  perfect day for football. Although the game ended in the lopsided score of 48-13 in favor of the Cardinals, the day was phenomenal for Camp Good Days’ campers, and truly lived up to the billing, “More Than Just A Game.”

 

 

 

Courage Bowl IX was also the last hurrah for Laura Osborn. After 15 successful years with Camp Good Days, Laura made the decision to move to Florida. She was involved in numerous things at Camp Good Days, and I always say she was the most important task she had was making me look good! Laura is like a daughter to me, and I’m grateful for the relationship we had over the years. We hope to see her when we visit Florida for our annual Fun Fest Trip in 2014!

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. 

We are in the process of putting together our summer program schedule and we will be making a concentrated effort to reach out to all of the hospitals that serve adults dealing with cancer, particularly to share information about our Women’s Oncology Program, as well as our Childhood USA programs for children who have a parent or sibling dealing with cancer, and our Camp B&ST programs for children who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer. And as we always have been, we will continue to be dedicated to serving children who are dealing with cancer.

With all of the above-mentioned things, we are adding a Camp Ranger Shed at the Recreational Facility.  Otto Harnischfeger, a Rochester Police Officer and volunteer at Camp Good Days, received the building as a donation. We’re excited to be putting in a “jail” where our campers can get their fingerprints done and where the Camp Rangers will be located.

2014 also marks the 35^th Anniversary of Camp Good Days. We’re looking forward to our 35^th year and have some plans in the works to help commemorate the anniversary. Former longtime Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers Place Kicker Steve Christie is working on a commemorative poster that we will use to recognize our 35^th Anniversary.

Our next update will bring you up to date on the 32^nd Teddi Dance for Love, the Fayetteville Manlius Dance Marathon, the Ithaca College Dance for Courage, the Clarence High School Dance-A-Thon, and our annual Night of Gratitude.

This special time of year provides us with the opportunity to be thankful for our many blessings.  Camp Good Days has so many special angels, who in small ways and large ways, help us to continue fulfilling our mission and who have helped me to keep my daughter Teddi’s memory and legacy going, and for that I am forever grateful. 

The New Year is like a new day, approached with hope and promise and I will do my best in the coming year to keep you all updated on our plans and progress, as we move forward. 

 

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

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