Cancer Patients and Families Feasted thanks to HEADstrong Commitment
16 years of serving Penn Medicine with meals at Thanksgiving – and still going. Thank you to the group of volunteers from the HEADstrong Foundation, who served Thanksgiving dinner to patients, their families, and staff at the Abramson Cancer Center. HEADstrong was founded by Nick Colleluori, an Abramson Cancer Center patient himself, in an effort to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. Nick succumbed to cancer in 2006, and his family and friends continue to carry out his legacy. Now spearheaded by Nick's mom, Cheryl Colleluori, the HEADstrong Foundation continues to give back to patients at Penn and beyond – especially during the holidays. Nick's spirit is strong within these volunteers' passion, care, and determination to help the lives of many.
Rotz Family – "Believe in the Magic of Santa"
The long-standing effort of the Rotz family continues to shine this holiday season, as they hosted their seventh annual "Believe in the Magic of Santa" event this December. After Kathleen Rotz passed away from non-small cell lung cancer in 2014, her husband, Chris, and their children established the Kathleen M. Rotz Lung Cancer Research Fund. In partnership with the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC) and a generous community of donors, the Rotz family has organized this annual distribution event to provide holiday gifts for patients facing financial burden. More importantly, they provide them with love, joy, and a sense of normalcy. Thank you to the Rotz family for all that you do, year after year – for giving patients the opportunity to focus a bit less on their cancer, and more on celebrating the holiday season with their loved ones.
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently featured a story about the Rotz family's efforts to give back – read more here.
Kane Family Turkey Trot
Denise Kane continues to fight her battle against ameloblastoma - a very rare, aggressive tumor. To show their appreciation for the incredible care that Denise continues to receive from her medical team at Penn Medicine, the Kane family set up the Penn Fund for Ara Chalian Head and Neck Research. This year, Denise's family coordinated a Turkey Trot to raise money and awareness that will aid ongoing research for head and neck cancer. Above all else, they wanted to show their love and support for Denise as she kicks off chemotherapy. Thanks to family and friends from all over the map who gathered on this day, the Kane family has raised over $20,000 for the Penn Fund for Ara Chalian Head and Neck Research.
Matt Smyth Turkey Trot
Since 2011, family and friends have gathered annually to honor the life of Matt Smyth. Since its inauguration, the Matt Smyth Turkey Trot has raised over $26,000 for survivorship research in Matt's name at the Abramson Cancer Center. Thank you to the Smyth family and friends for coming together year after year to celebrate Matt. While honoring his beautiful life, you also continue to make a remarkable difference in our community through your fundraising efforts.
Breathing Room Foundation - Thanksgiving Program
The Breathing Room Foundation strives to help families affected by cancer. Their inspiring mission and wholehearted efforts seek to create a little "breathing room" for patients facing cancer. BRF's Thanksgiving Program encourages individuals to get involved and bring joy to patients in a variety of ways, whether you want to donate or volunteer your time – shopping online, sponsoring a family's Thanksgiving dinner, collecting food items, or delivering to BRF families. This Thanksgiving, BRF supported 1,000 patients and families who are living with cancer. Thank you to the Breathing Room Foundation for helping patients and ensuring no family faces their challenges alone.
Patient and Family Services Center - Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Patient and Family Services Team at the Abramson Cancer Center rallied together for a Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) Food Pantry. Supplies of nutritious items, including supplements, can be quite costly. Thanks to the efforts of this incredible team, cabinets in the infusion suites were stocked with nutritious goodies which will be available to patients this holiday season – helping to ensure strength for healing.