Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.

KU Men’s Rugby Team Plays for PCFLV

Executive Director — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:09:26 +0000

PCFLV is excited to share some exciting Rugby news! The Kutztown University Men’s Rugby Team will be playing in the USA Collegiate Rugby Championship at PPL Park in Philadelphia on June 1^st and 2^nd.(www.usasevenscrc.com) This will be the first time that the young men of Kutztown University will be playing for the National Title. Not only are the KU Men playing for the title, they are also playing for a PCFLV “Champion” child.

About three years ago KU partnered with, “Victory For a Cause,” a program that connects teams with children, and their families, who are battling pediatric cancer. With every Kutztown win, Victory for a Cause sets aside $100. At the end of the season, the Champion family is presented with a generous portion of the money raised, and the overage is donated to PCFLV to support ongoing support services and programming. By sponsoring a variety of teams, VFC and KU are able to spread pediatric cancer awareness to a larger group of people – the athletes, the fans and the community. Not only is KU playing for their own wins, they are also playing for something even bigger. If Kutztown wins the title on June 1st/2nd, Victory For a Cause will donate an incredible $5,000 to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of Lehigh Valley!

VFC was formed with the premise to help children, and their families, fighting cancer. The initial goal was to give money directly to the kids. The gift was not meant to cure cancer, but simply to help put a smile on the child’s face. VFC hoped their donations would help family’s with incidentals such as medical bills, gas money, groceries or for a special something for the child. As a result of this, something unexpected happened. Many of the teams who were paired with a pediatric cancer patient started to form a special bond. The child became part of the sports team, a team that would walk onto the field to play a game knowing that if they won, they would help make a real difference in their child’s life. The fact that the athletes became an important part of the child’s journey has had an astounding effect on their lives as well. VFC has helped to open the athletes’ eyes to a world they may not have ever seen if they had not been a part of this incredible program. The athletes step out onto the field with every intention of winning because they are playing for a true friend, a child who exemplifies strength, grace, and fortitude. The inspiration becomes contagious.

For tickets click this link:

Victory For a Cause is fully funded by CMI Plastics, Inc. and it’s employees. To learn more go to www.victoryforacause.com, www.kutztownrugby.com or visit www.cmiplastics.com.

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Thank you to The Paper Bag Child

Executive Director — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:29:37 +0000

PCFLV can’t even begin to thank the Paper Bag Child and it’s founder, Trish Dilg! Trish has been bending over backwards to help PCFLV–in addition to other Children’s Charities in the Lehigh Valley! Most recently, Trish created the amazing online Golf Outing sign-up form (from scratch) that was used on our website to help our sponsors and participants get involved. (She even convinced her brilliant computer savvy husband to donate his time to help us as well!) Trish has also planned, and hosted, several events locally to raise awareness (and donations of goods) for families battling pediatric cancer in the Lehigh Valley.

At Game Time Field House, last week, she hosted a free family play day for children and requested “summer” donations for our upcoming Camp SMILE summer camp program being hosted in conjunction with the Coco Foundation and Smiles by Sarah this summer. (At the beautiful, Camelot for Children facility.)

She also hosted a lovely story time at Menchie’s Fro Yo at the Shops at Cedar Point located at Cedar Crest and Hamilton Blvd. in Allentown.

Please visit Paper Bag Child and support this wonderful new addition to the Lehigh Valley. Paper Bag Child was founded with the simple belief that families in the Lehigh Valley can truly make a difference to children in need, and surly Trish is leading by example! Thank you Trish and Paper Bag Child!

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Zumba® for Caitlin

Executive Director — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:24:58 +0000

Get your shake on! Click HERE to REGISTER

Join us at Southern Lehigh HS for a Latin-inspired, calorie-burning, Zumba® event in honor of Caitlin, to support the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley!
• All ages and experiences welcome!
Children under 10 can do the Zumbatomic® Class from 4:30 to 5:30pm
Adults (kids 11 and over) can Zumbathon® from 7pm to 9pm
• Raffle prizes and fun for all ages!
Featured instructors:

Kristin Nelson • Kerri Tolan • Tamra Nichols  • Michele Chasky • Melissa Miller • Karen Sylsberry •  Pedro and Tessy Ayala • Caressa James •  Jess Manjack • Tara Miller • Tracy Bristol •  Crystal Bartolacci

For more information contact Kris Nelson 610-417-9547 or email yogaflygirl@aol.com

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A Positive Spin for Pediatric Cancer

Executive Director — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 19:32:45 +0000

On Saturday, February 16th, 2 local Gold’s Gyms were looking more “Gold” than ever. Melanie Romano, a part-time Spin instructor at Gold’s in Whitehall, organized the 2nd Annual “Spin for Sam” to raise money for PCFLV in honor of Samuel Grady, a 4-year old little boy who’s been battling leukemia for over a year. While Sam is thankfully in remission, his active treatment will continue for the next several years, making his childhood much more complicated than other preschoolers his age. Sam’s mom, Pauline, never thought that pediatric cancer would become a part of her family’s life, “I remember hearing about a friend’s son who was sick and thinking, this will never happen to us. Thank god my children are healthy.” But, only 2 months later, she and her husband were in the ER at the Children’s Hospital at Lehigh Valley Hospital when they received the news about their son, Sam. “Two doctors came in and told us that Sam had cancer. Our lives changed in a split second.” While Spin for Sam is in its 2nd year, it’s certainly not going to be it’s last. Mel and her team of volunteers are already talking about how to expand the event to include even more gyms. This year’s “Spin” included 60 spinners, 30 in each location, to ride on stationary bikes for a total of 3-hours. There were raffle prizes, goodie bags for each “spinner” and awards for the spinner who raised the most money. Mel was thrilled when the total amount raised for the event far exceeded her initial goal of $12,000. “ The Grady’s are an exceptional family and the fact that they are looking for ways to help other families battling pediatric cancer is such an inspiration to me,” Mel shared. Currently, $20,000 has been raised and donations are still tricking in. “Melanie turned this “mess” into a “message,” Pauline said in a speech she prepared for the spinners. ”I want to thank Mel for being an incredible friend and for being an incredible support to my family and to the pediatric cancer community as a whole by raising awareness and spreading the gold.” Thank you so much to Mel, and her team of volunteers and spinners. We are humbled and honored to be the recipient of this generous donation and to have had the opportunity to speak on behalf of our foundation at both Gold’s locations. The “Spin for Sam” is a victory for all of the children and families who are facing cancer.

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Raffle Basket Sign Up

Executive Director — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 00:32:35 +0000

Looking for a great way to help with our upcoming Walk / Run to Live? Here’s your chance! Simply CLICK on this link and you can select from a variety of items we’re collecting. All of the items will be put together to make fantastic themed baskets! Donate one item or as many as you’d like! Our goal is to create amazing baskets to put onto our Chinese Auction at the Walk / Run to LIVE! Share our link with your friends, on Facebook, or with your book club! It’s a fun way to help us help our families!

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Volunteers Needed

Executive Director — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:38:03 +0000

We are EXCITED about our upcoming 5K Walk / 8K Run to LIVE and FUN RUN for the kids!

As a community, we will “Spread the Gold” and raise awareness about pediatric cancer.

Gold is the color that represents pediatric cancer because our children are as precious as gold, and the more people who know that, the better off our children will be!

On March 23rd, we will walk, and we will run, for those who have lost the battle and for those that are still fighting. We will celebrate life and survivorship. As a community, we will “Spread the Gold” together!

Now’s your chance to help make this day happen! Please join us as a volunteer to help us make this day great!

Opportunities and volunteer positions are available and can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Our 4th Annual Walk / Run to LIVE is going to be a fantastic day for all of its participants!

Thank you for helping PCFLV “Spread the Gold!”

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PCFLV kids are Lehigh Valley Flames during Hockey Season

Executive Director — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:26:27 +0000

SAVES for Pediatric Cancer

The Lehigh Valley Flames Midget 16AA and 18A teams teamed-up to build some shelving units for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV) over the 2013 New Year’s weekend. When their work was done, goaltender Michael Smoker walked away wishing there was something more that he could do to help.

Only a few short weeks later, Michael’s “SAVES for Pediatric Cancer” was introduced at the 16AA game played against the Warwick Wildcats. ”I wanted to do something more, something to create public awareness about Pediatric Cancer” said Michael. ”I am glad that the Flames are giving me the chance to help raise some money for the PCFLV.” With the SAVES for Pediatric Cancer, the Flames organization is donating $1 for every save the 16AA White team goalies make during a home game. ”But the money is only part of it. Some of these kids are very sick, and they spend a lot of time in treatment, in hospitals and clinics. The puck drops give them a chance to get away from all of that.”

Nine year old Porter Lilley, was named Honorary Captain of the Flames Midget 16AA White team for the game vs Warwick on January 26th. Porter, who will continue to receive treated until 2015, was accompanied by his mother Jen and sister Sadie, as they cheered from the sidelines for Porter’s first honorary captain’s “puck drop.”

Click link below to see the action!

Porter Drops Puck for Lehigh Valley Flames

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An Open Letter to the President

Executive Director — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:09:37 +0000

Thank you to Jonathan Agin who penned an amazing letter to President Obama imploring him to help our kids! This letter is written for all of the families battling pediatric cancer and for those who have lost their precious children. Our voices MUST be heard. Read the entire article here: Open Letter

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Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund Donates Gas Cards

Executive Director — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 23:50:35 +0000

To make the road our families travel a little bit easier, Bill and Chris Hankee, founders of the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund recently donated several gas cards to PCFLV. When Bill and Chris Hankee learned about PCFLV, and the support we provide to our families, they were very excited to make this generous donation.

The Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund is a 501 (c) (3) Public Charity that provides gas cards to families transporting their children for therapy and promotes the positive impact of organ & tissue donation. The fund also provides grants to graduating high school seniors planning to further their education.

With the help of golf courses, golfers and donations, The Krysta Cares initiative “Courses that Care – Miles that Matter” has become a great success. Over 90,000 miles worth of Giant gas cards have been distributed to families needing assistance!

PCFLV couldn’t be happier that the Krysta Hankee Memorial Fund discovered us! We look forward to a very wonderful partnership.

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Leading Edge Martial Arts and PCFLV – Kicking Back!

Executive Director — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 20:34:00 +0000

Rob Wetmore and his terrific staff at Leading Edge Martial Arts helped make our most recent “date night” for moms and dads, even more amazing for our kids! When we arrived at LEMA, the stage was set for a terrific martial arts demonstration. Sensei Rob taught our kids some basic self defense moves and everyone was smiling from ear-to-ear as he tested our skills. The staff and Sensei Rob even treated us for dinner serving delicious pizza and tasty snacks! A quick game after dinner was exactly what we needed before we all got cozy watching “Brave” on the giant movie screen in the martial arts studio. It’s a good thing those floors are padded–One of our little ones couldn’t help but run around during the movie despite the rules which were to stay seated. He enjoyed the exercise but took a few spills which didn’t slow him down one bit! Thank you so much LEMA and Sensei Rob! You made our night out extremely memorable!

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