The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Horace Greeley’s Athletic Teams on November 5: Making a Difference off the Field, too

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Millennials have been called many things, but they aren’t often acknowledged for their consistent and generous support for charities. In fact, 85% of millennial workers made a charitable donation last year, higher than any other demographic group. These young men and women aren’t just donating online, they are also getting personally engaged to support activities in their own communities. This passion to give back is exemplified in the upcoming 4th Annual Greeley All-Athlete Walkathon.

More than a dozen local Horace Greeley athletic teams are coming together to support Pediatric/Adolescent cancer research and programs that assist these children and their families. Now in its 4th year, this grassroots event was started in memory of Gardner Marks (Greeley Class of ’08). Gardner lost his life due to complications from cancer. This year, the walk also honors Horace Greeley student Casey Taub, who bravely fought brain cancer over the past two years but succumbed to it this past summer. Brain and spinal cord tumors are the most common cause of childhood deaths among any specific illnesses and no community is immune.

On November 5th, hundreds of student athletes will walk together on the competition field at Horace Greeley High School. The event will raise awareness and funds for Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors affecting kids and young adults. The Greeley Sports Boosters is sponsoring the Walk and are helping to promote the cause.

If you are interested in fighting Pediatric/Adolescent cancer, please join us on November 5th, from 11am-1pm, at the Horace Greeley High School Competition Field. This year’s slogan, “One Team – One Dream” focuses on the power that individuals can have by working together as part of a universal team. You can also donate to specific athletic teams and the cause at www.makingheadway.org/greeley/.

Proceeds from this event will be split evenly to support two local Chappaqua-based non-profit organizations. The Gardner Marks Foundation is devoted to raising money toward helping families in need of financial support, logistics, and mental health. Now in its 21st year of operation, The Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for kids with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared toward better treatments and a cure. 100% of donations will go directly to pediatric cancer research or services.

Still Time to Fundraise for Local Support Connection Cancer Walk

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Walk participants can raise funds on their own, or with a group of family and friends.

Yorktown Heights, NY– Support Connection, Inc., a not-for-profit organization offering free support services to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer, says there’s still time to raise funds for their Annual Support-A-Walk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer. The Support-A-Walk will take place on Sun., Oct. 1 (rain or shine) at FDR Park, Route 202, Yorktown Heights, NY.

The Support-A-Walk was founded more than twenty years ago by local residents as a way to focus attention on breast and ovarian cancer. Each year, thousands of people take part in this spirited, uplifting event. Participants complete a 3-mile walk, often in honor of loved ones – a celebration of life and a tribute to those affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Families, friends, co-workers and teams of walkers are invited to walk together. Individuals are also welcome.

The Support-A-Walk is Support Connection’s most important annual fundraiser. 88¢ of every dollar donated directly funds their free breast and ovarian cancer support services. Support Connection does not receive funds from any national cancer organizations including Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen, the Avon Walk or Making Strides.

Support Connection’s year-round support services, which are funded by the Walk, have helped thousands of people since the organization was established in 1996. The Support-A-Walk also serves as a major awareness event, bringing attention to the needs of those facing the challenges of a breast and ovarian cancer diagnosis.

It’s easy to raise funds for the Support-A-Walk. Participants can create their own online fundraising pages at www.firstgiving.com/supportconnection/walk2017. Pages can be personalized by the fundraiser, then emailed to friends and family asking them to sponsor with a donation. Fundraisers can seek donations by check or cash too. People can fundraise even if they can’t attend.

Direct donations are also accepted from anyone who wishes to help. To learn more about raising funds or to make a donation, visit www.supportconnection.org/donate-and-fundraise or contact Support Connection: 914-962-6402, walk@supportconnection.org.

 

“I Did it!” A Look Back at the 2015 Sunrise Day Camp Walk

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team jordan

By Zarah Kavarana

A little girl clings on to her mother’s hand as the two cross the finish line at the third annual Sunrise Day Camp fundraising walk-a-thon, SunriseWALKS. “I did it!” she beams, one by one high-fiving camp counselors and event helpers. In her excitement, the blue bandana tied over her tiny bald head nearly knocks off.

Over 120 participants arrived at the Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds in Pearl River early on Sunday, June 14 for the walk, showing their support for Sunrise and its children. Nearly $110,000 was raised at the event.

Sunrise-LayoutSunrise Day Camp is the only day camp in the world for children with cancer and their siblings. It functions just like any other camp, making traditional activities like arts and crafts, swimming and sports available to campers in a safe setting where they can meet children their own age who have endured similar struggles.

Children ages 3 1/2 to 16 years are invited to attend–completely free of charge. Sunrise is able to absorb a $6,000 fee per camper by hosting multiple fundraising events, like SunriseWALKS throughout the year.

“I think that it’s really important to understand that cancer bankrupts families,” said Sunrise Camp Director and Associate Executive Director of the Rosenthal JCC, Sandy Haft. “It crushes them not only emotionally, but economically.” With every dollar raised, Sunrise is able to ease some financial burden for families of children with cancer and simultaneously create some normalcy in their lives.

The camp runs for 7 1/2 weeks, but each child’s schedule is flexible based on their personal medical needs. Sunrise staff is always understanding about campers missing a day if they don’t feel well or have doctor’s visits scheduled. Two nurses are on site every day, ready to care for campers appropriately, and a team of friendly counselors facilitate activities to make the experience enjoyable.

Sunday’s event kicked off with a delicious breakfast catered by Bristal Assisted Living to energize participants before they embarked on a one-mile walk around the campgrounds. Carnival style games and bouncy houses welcomed back walkers. There was free popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream for all to enjoy, while a DJ kept the crowd dancing.

Mother of three Sunrise campers, Lakaya Sewer, was chosen to be the speaker for the event. She lost her job soon after her oldest son, 15-year-old Ky-mani was diagnosed with brain cancer two years ago. Since then he has undergone surgery, but surgeons determined that his tumor was better off left in because of its position, afraid that taking it out might bring on other issues.

Ky-mani is taking life day by day. His mother says that Sunrise has become an important part of his life, having met many friends and received the support of camp leaders. She noted that Sunrise Day Camp has not failed to let her down either.

“For me, being pushed into the cancer world was really hard because you no longer feel like you’re living a normal life,” said Sewer. “Sunrise is a big, giant family with people who understand my story. It gives me peace that I’m not alone in this.”

Michele Anastasia also attended the event with her two Sunrise sons, four-year-old Giancarlo and eight-year-old Santino, who was diagnosed with Leukemia in early 2014. After a year of endless hospital visits, he is accepting treatments well and progressing nicely.

Just four days before camp started last year, Anastasia’s home burned down and the family lost everything. Sunrise was quick to step up, providing them with t-shirts and taking care of the kids’ lunches and snacks on camp days. “After last year, everything’s a piece of cake,” said Anastasia. “But it’s comforting to come here and know that everyone has a story of their own. Sunrise has been there and will be there for all of us.”

“The work we do here is not a labor of love,” said Haft. “It’s truly love.” For more info, visit sunrisedaycamp.org

Zarah Kavarana is entering her senior year at Boston University.

Armonk Resident Joins fifth Annual Lustgarten Foundation NYC Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk

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Armonk resident Debbie Heidecorn to join annual walk on Sunday April 26th to raise awareness and funds for the Lustgarten Foundation funding pancreatic cancer research.
Armonk resident Debbie Heidecorn to join annual walk on Sunday April 26th to raise awareness and funds for the Lustgarten Foundation funding pancreatic cancer research.

Armonk resident Debbie Heidecorn will join fellow New York and tri-state area residents in honor of her father by participating in The Lustgarten Foundation’s fifth annual New York City Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk. The walk will be held on Sunday, April 26, at Pier 84 in Manhattan’s Hudson River Park.

The Lustgarten Foundation is the nation’s largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Due to Cablevision’s support of The Lustgarten Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar that Debbie and her fellow walkers raise will go directly to pancreatic cancer research.

In 2007, Debbie and her family were shocked to discover that her 84-year-old father Sidney had pancreatic cancer. A routine scan for his heart condition had revealed a shadow on his pancreas. Despite being caught at the earliest stages, they struggled to find a doctor willing to treat his condition due to his age, but eventually a successful pancreatectomy gave her father eight more years of life. To celebrate, Debbie wanted to find a way to give back, and once she found out about The Lustgarten Foundation’s New York City Walk in 2013, she immediately joined with her family as Team “Big Sid.” Sadly, her father passed away in October 2014. But Debbie and her family are passionate about returning to the walk this year to help advance research for an early detection test.

Debbie believes that participating in the walk is an uplifting way to honor her father’s memory. And for Debbie, it is also fulfilling to know that 100 percent of all money she raises goes directly to pancreatic cancer research.

“Debbie’s incredible determination is shared by the many participants who join with the Foundation to walk each year in support of raising awareness and funding for pancreatic cancer research,” said Lustgarten Foundation Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Kerri Kaplan. “We’re all walking together in the spirit of unity and hope that with more research, we will find a cure.”

The Lustgarten Foundation’s New York City Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk at Pier 84 in Manhattan’s Hudson River Park (between 43th & 44th Street and the West Side Highway) will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, with registration starting at 8:00 a.m. For more information about the walk and to register, please visit www.curePC.org.

About Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is swift and silent, often undetected until it’s too late. The overall five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is seven percent and most with advanced cancer die within a year. There are no early detection tests, no effective long-term treatments and, unless the cancer is surgically removed in its earliest stages, no cure. It is the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. For more information about pancreatic cancer, please visit: www.curepc.org/infographic.

About The Lustgarten Foundation

The Lustgarten Foundation is America’s largest private foundation dedicated to funding pancreatic cancer research. Based in Bethpage, New York, the Foundation supports research to find a cure for pancreatic cancer, facilitates dialogue within the medical and scientific community, and educates the public about the disease through awareness campaigns and fundraising events. The Foundation has provided millions of research dollars and assembled the best scientific minds with the hope that one day, a cure can be found. Due to the support of Cablevision Systems Corporation, a leading media and telecommunications company, 100 percent of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to pancreatic cancer research. The Lustgarten Foundation and Cablevision are also partners in the curePC public awareness campaign in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer.For additional information, please visit www.curePC.org.