Main Street Pizza in Batavia has once again demonstrated its commitment to the local community with a generous donation to Genesee Cancer Assistance. Owner Vic Marchese presented a donation from his "Pink Box" campaign, contributing a portion of sales from October to support cancer patients in need.
For the entire month of October, Main Street Pizza donated $1 from every large pizza sold to Genesee Cancer Assistance, which provides financial support to families caring for a loved one battling cancer.
Kristina Gilbert shares her family's "cancer journey" during the annual Genesee Cancer Assistance dinner Saturday at Batavia Downs. Photo by Joanne Beck
Every year Sue Underwood, executive director of Genesee Cancer Assistance, asks one or two people to share their story for the nonprofit’s annual dinner, and this year she thought that Kristina Gilbert, whose family had dealt with cancer multiple times, was a perfect candidate.
It took a little self-convincing for Gilbert to agree.
“When Sue asked me, I was kind of taken back, but then I remembered my promise to my sister. It was to keep her story and her memory alive for all of us,” Gilbert said during the annual gathering Saturday night at Batavia Downs. “So I hope that, if anything, you can take away that cancer does not discriminate, but it also doesn’t take away the hope that we all have and that it is a journey. We can all come together and we can fight it together, and we all have a purpose in this world.”
Her family’s cancer “journey,” as she called it, began in April 2019, when she took her sister Candy to the emergency room with excruciating pain in her right side. After a CT scan, the doctor discovered a cyst on her ovary, and a spot at the very bottom of her lung that turned out to be cancer.
Her ovary was clean, but the spot on her lung had to be removed, Gilbert said. Her sister was told by the doctor that if she had to have cancer, that was the “best kind.” She did not require chemo or radiation, and Candy just celebrated five years of being cancer-free this past summer.
Although her sister was fortunate to have good health insurance and was not in need of GCA’s financial assistance, Gilbert learned more about the nonprofit because she andUnderwood attend the same church. That was information that Gilbert unknowingly would turn to in the future.
In April 2022, her sister Carrie made a trip to the ER for what she thought were kidney stones. After a CT scan, doctors again discovered cancer. This time, however, it was already at Stage IV, and in her liver, spine, bones and lungs.
“We were beyond devastated when a trip to the ER, when you’re thinking of kidney stones, turns out to be a terminal illness,” Gilbert said. “Carrie received radiation to help with the bone and spine cancer, and after that was completed, she started chemo. It wasn’t long after she started chemo that her hair began to thin and fall out.”
That’s when the family recalled GCA and its Simply Beautiful, Simply Renewal program that provides services and education to help those dealing with effects of cancer look and feel their best with wigs and makeup.
Carrie met Nickie Fazio, who worked with her to find a wig — of just the right type, color, tone and fit — and help her to feel comfortable with the new look.
“When Carrie went and got her wig, she was elated. She was so excited. She asked my mom if she could drive her over to our office, social services, so we could see her. I could see her smile a mile away. She was so excited, and she looked beautiful. It was exactly how I remember her hair just long and straight with a little curl. And she was excited because she put the barrette and everything in it, and she said it was the first time she finally felt more like herself,” Gilbert said. “It was this past April 14 that Carrie lost her battle with cancer. We said goodbye to her way too soon.”
The funny — and sad — thing is, she said, that wasn’t the end of the cancer journey. Their mom, Bonnie, was diagnosed with colon cancer while taking care of Carrie. She received 12 rounds of chemotherapy and, despite the unpleasant side effects, she continued to show up for treatment and to care for her daughter. In fact, “she was the best caregiver Carrie could have ever asked for,” Gilbert said.
GCA did help her mom with financial assistance to offset some costs not covered by insurance.
“I work on the insurance side of business, and it's sad that people who need care are often struggling to get the care that they need. And it's foundations and organizations like this that are fantastic, and I know my family is grateful for that. No amount of money is too small or too big. It's been a crazy year, but I can say that, without a doubt, it's brought us closer. And I can't thank Genesee County Cancer Assistance enough. It's not just the money side or anything that helped us. It's the fact that they’re family, and to this day, every Sunday, Sue says, ‘How are you doing, Christina? How's your family? How's your mom? Is there anything you guys need?’” she said. “And as a matter of fact, I talked to Sue that day that Carrie passed away. We were trying to find a bed for Carrie, and Sue was trying to help us. They care for not only the patient, but the family, and they are with them the entire journey, and even after, so I thank you all so much, and I hope that our story helps you all a little bit tonight, thank you.”
The event theme was “Night at the Downs,” complete with red carpet, and it drew about 315 people, making it the largest attendance ever, Underwood said. Last year brought in 290 people for what began as a social event and evolved into an evening filled with basket raffle announcements and a card game with one prize for the last man, or woman, standing.
“This originally started out just to be a social thankful gathering. It's November, time to be thankful, and we didn't even have the basket raffle. And then we had people saying, where's your basket raffle? So it's never really meant to be a fundraiser. It has kind of, of course, turned into a little bit of that because the baskets are all donated, and so we get to have those proceeds. But we just originally just wanted the time where we could kind of end the year out and have people come together and hear some stories. And so we've tried to pick some speakers that have great meaning to what we do and why we do what we do,” Underwood said. “So for this year, specifically, it was nice. We did introduce our new, simply, beautiful, enhanced program. So that was fun. We always just try to have a game to get the crowd engaged, and Chapin was a $3,000 sponsor for us this year and offered to bring that board. And we were so excited to be able to change it up with this red carpet theme. So yeah, it was fun.”
Kate Willson, owner ofMeraki Beauty and newly opened The Beauty Lounge by Meraki in downtown Batavia, has taken on the Simply Beautiful, Simply Renewed program, which has been enhanced to include pampering beauty services in addition to the wigs program.
“We've been there about six years, and our heart is all about just showing love in our community and being there for our people. So it's been really cool to be able to now open a spot and continue to share that love all throughout town. And it's been really awesome to get to start working with Genesee Cancer Assistance and to start providing services to them. I myself am a hair stylist and not a public speaker. So here I am, but I love what I do and being behind the chair, and so it's been such an amazing gift to be able to work with people who are undergoing treatment and help them find a way that fits them perfectly,” Willson said. “So I've just been loving that. It's been really, really cool, and the relationships that we built with those people have just been out of this world. So it's been an odd time for me to take on something new, to be honest, because I am quite busy in my businesses, but it has been such a beautiful piece of giving back too, and just like giving me so much more energy for everything that I'm doing. So I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be here with you.”
The program began with wigs, however, since she opened the spa in July, “we decided it would be a great addition to add in more services, because sometimes you might be totally comfortable without your hair.”
“And we're finding that a lot of people are really happy like that, which brings me a lot of joy too, that it's like I can help them in restoring now, so we can talk about products and helping them to help their scalp and build their health now, as they continue to move through the process, the journey after cancer,” she said. “And so now we're going to be offering services at the spa. So we're going to be doing facials, manicures, pedicures … so it's going to be really rejuvenating and just a good little piece to come in and relax. And that truly is what we're all about, that still remains.”
Underwood said that she has observed over the last couple of years that not everyone loses hair during treatment, which makes these spa services more inclusive for patients no matter what they are experiencing, she said.
“There might be something like that that would interest the patient, that would, as she said, make them feel renewed, relaxed, refreshed. And that piece is very important when you're battling your journey,” Underwood said. “So we're very thankful for Kate.”
Sue Underwood, left, executive director for Genesee Cancer Assistance, talks about the Simply Beautiful, Simply Renewed program with Kate Willson, who is taking over the program. Photo by Joanne Beck
Kate Willson, owner of Meraki Beauty Photo by Joanne Beck
Mike Sheehan, left, Larry DuBois and third from right, Debbie Lakas, LaRae Taylor and Chrissy Blatner, all of Chapin International, flank Genesee Cancer Assistance Executive Director Sue Underwood, center, in front of the board donated by Chapin for GCA's "Night at the Downs" dinner Saturday at Batavia Downs. Photo by Joanne Beck
Attendees play the elimination game by holding up cards as an announcer draws one card at a time, and if it doesn't match what's being held up, that person has to sit down. Photo by Joanne Beck
CHAPIN International, Inc. will be featured as the Executive Producer with a $3000 sponsorship in honor of Genesee Cancer Assistance’s Annual Dinner Event.
John Riter, representing the local Merrill Lynch office and Gerace Realty will be noted as co-producers for this red carpet-themed evening Night of Celebration and Hope.
The event will take place in the Park Place Banquet Room at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel on Saturday, November 16.
Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. is proud to acknowledge Chapin International, John Riter/Merrill Lynch, Gerace Realty, Reliant Real Estate, Beverly’s Fowers and Three Little Birds Pediatrics for their support of GCA with 29 years of serving cancer patients in Genesee County.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. with a basket raffle and cash bar. Appetizers at 5 p.m., a buffet dinner served at 6 p.m., and followed with a special program. The ticket price is $35 and includes $25 in free play. Tables can be reserved for parties of 8 or more.
Tickets are presale only and available for purchase until Friday, November 8 by calling the office at (585)345-0417 or online at www.geneseecancerassistance.org. The public is invited to join us!
Batavia Lady Devils Seniors prepare for the third annual PINK night volleyball fundraiser Photo by Steve Ognibene
On Tuesday evening at Batavia High School, the Lady Devils volleyball team held its Third Annual Pink Game to raise funds for Genesee Cancer Assistance.
In total, the even raised $2,300, with more funds expected to come in on Friday.
Dr Kevin Mudd, board president, spoke about the community’s help and appreciation to support this annual fundraiser.
Head coach Jeremy Mettler said, "I am really glad they added this event to the Volleyball program. It was great to see all the teachers, administrators, students, family members and other community members show up in pink. But I want to give a special thank you to all the players' family members who organized and ran the event."
Batavia lost to Honeoye Falls-Lima three sets to one.
Batavia’s stats
Sofia Branche 10 kills 4 Blocks
Violet Lopez 4 aces 22 assists
Lilly Gray 8 kills 18 digs
Mollie Banford 30 digs
Ava Anderson & Karizma Wescott 7 kills 3 aces
The next game is home against Geneva at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Genesee Cancer Assistance (GCA) is adding a new fundraising event on March 2. The Bowling Event will be a fun-filled day of bowling, contests, and shenanigans supporting GCA! This event is for everyone, so bring your friends and family!
The event will take place at Strikeforce Lanes, 49 S. Pearl St., Oakfield. To accommodate everyone, there are three shifts available: noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m. Entry for teams of four is $120 and teams can register online at www.geneseecancerassistance.org.
There will also be additional raffles, including a cooler of booze available, and Rusty Rail Bar & Grill will be offering food and drink specials! Come out and have some fun while supporting GCA. All money raised will stay in Genesee County.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available! Can’t make it to bowl? You can still support the event as a sponsor. Lane sponsors will have their sign above each lane for the duration of the event at $150, with only twelve available!
Additionally, Strike and Spare sponsorships are available, please visit the website or contact Event Coordinator, Kathy Antinore, at kathy@geneseecancerassistance.org.
For more information about this event, future events, our services, or how to volunteer, please visit www.geneseecancerassistance.org or call the office at (585) 345-0417.
The Batavia Police Department has closed out the Movember campaign for 2023. The department raised $1,700 for Genesee Cancer Assistance with 19 members participating. Pictured are a few members who participated in the campaign with leadership from Genesee Cancer Assistance.
Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, co-founded in 1995 by Mrs. Dorothy Schlaggel & Mr. Russ Romano. Their shared desire was to create an organization through which cancer patients living in Genesee County could have access to financial aid and a variety of support services. Since its founding, Genesee Cancer Assistance has been able to assist thousands of individuals; helping hundreds of patients each year.
The Movember Worldwide Campaign started in 2003 in Australia and has since grown. Movember was created to bring awareness to Men’s Health; specifically, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Main St. Pizza Company owner Vic Marchese presented a check this week to Genesee Cancer Assistance for $2,816, proceeds from his annual Pink Box Fundraiser. Each October, Main St. delivers its pizzas in pink boxes, and each sale yields a donation to Genesee Cancer Assistance. Pictured from left, Marchese, with board members Shirley Puleo, Maryann Haigh, Nick Grasso and Executive Director Sue Underwood. Photo by Howard Owens
For the second year on Tuesday, Batavia High School's volleyball teams, varsity and JV, hosted a "pink game" to raise money in support of Genesee Cancer Assistance.
The teams raised $2,200.
Statement provided by Sarah Gahagan:
Nick Grasso graciously accepted this donation on behalf of Genesee Cancer Assistance. He reminded all spectators of how important it is to help out locally whenever possible. He reminded the spectators how expensive travel, treatment and other things people battling this disease need on a daily basis and how grateful our local recipients are to have events like this in their honor.
We would like to thank all of our local sponsors for donating baskets to support our team.
The Batavia Police Department has closed out the Movember / Don’t Shave December campaigns for 2022. The department was able to raise $1,560 for Genesee Cancer Assistance. Department members would like to thank the community for their support and donations.
The Movember Worldwide Campaign started in 2003 in Australia and has since grown. Movember was created to bring awareness to Men’s Health, specifically, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Cancer has diminished the speaking voice of Antonia Richenburg but now her spirit, as she made clear at the annual dinner of Genesee Cancer Assistance at Batavia Downs on Saturday night.
Richenburg was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinomas on her right vocal chord in the Fall of 2013. The following February she was referred to Genesee Cancer Assistance.
"Genesee Cancer Assistance has been a wonderful asset," Antonia said through her daughter Carson, who read her speech. "When I was confused and not able to find the answers I needed, the staff at Genesee Cancer Assistance were there to help out by doing their best to answer my questions. They even made the process of receiving financial assistance during my struggle with cancer a stress-free process."
It has been her family who has been her strength, though, she said.
"Although this has been a rough road for me, I never gave up," she said. "I have a strong support system. My family has been my biggest supporter, with more love and encouragement than anyone has ever asked for. I would have never survived without my husband, Eric, and my children, Todd, his wife, Rachel, and my daughters, Kearson and Carson."
She added later to encompass her entire support entourage, including her doctors, "the love and support of these people kept me focused on what's important."
And ended with advice for anyone diagnosed with cancer.
"Love and support are definitely needed," she said. "It will help keep you alive."
Photos by Howard Owens
Tami Burbules, also a cancer survivor, thanked Genesee Cancer Assistance for its support after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.
Dorothy Schlaggel, a founder of Genesee Cancer Assistance, received a standing ovation when she was introduced.
Schlaggel said the idea for Genesee Cancer Assistance came after she and some others attended the Relay for Life in Rochester and they decided they didn't want to make that trip anymore so they started the Festival of Hope Walk to raise money to help battle cancer.
"There are a lot of our volunteers who are still volunteering, and it's been 30 years or more," Schlaggel said. "And all I've got to say is Genesee Cancer Assistance has the best volunteers ever and this place is fantastic."
Before the speeches, the volunteers were recognized, including, above, Mary Valle and Martha Woodruff.
Sue Underwood applauds Antonia Richenburg after her speech. Soon the whole room was on its feet applauding.
Paul Figlow was master of ceremonies.
The cash door prize was awarded by a process of elimination. Everybody had a little lighted trinket and if your number was called, you turned off your light. At the time this picture was taken, just before The Batavian left, there were 61 lights still on.
Tickets are available through Monday for the annual Genesee Cancer Assistance Night at the Downs to honor volunteers who have devoted time and energy for the nonprofit.
The evening is to include a basket raffle, buffet dinner and recognition of volunteers. Doors open at 4 p.m., with appetizers at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel on Park Road, Batavia.
A cash bar will be available, and raffle winners will be drawn after dinner.
Tickets are $35, which includes $25 Free Play. To purchase tickets, call 585-345-0417 or order online.
The Batavia High School volleyball team held their first "pink game" this season, raising $1,100 for Genesee Cancer Assistance.
"We just wanted to do this because it's something that stays in Genesee County, and it's really good to just have the money stay here and benefit our community," said team captain Olivia Shell.
Head Coach James Patric said he expects pink games to become annual events to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance. There will be more advance planning next season, he said, with a goal of raising $3,000 to $3,500.
"It's amazing to have them want to reach out and do this for us," said Nickie Fazio. "This money is going to be so beneficial to our patients. We're just very grateful. And if they want to do this next year, we're more than happy to help them."
It was a perfect day for 18 holes of golf yesterday at Terry Hills, which hosted the 27th Annual Genesee Cancer Assistance Golf Tournament.
Director Sue Underwood said the tournament last year raised $28,000 and this year they hoped to raise more than $30,000.
"We're hopeful we will be over 30, but we're thankful for whatever we make," she said.
The tournament is the non-profit's main fundraiser for the year. The funds are used to provide assistance to cancer patients.
This year 36 teams participated, and sponsorships increased from 52 a year ago to 62 this year. There were more than 200 prizes, either door prizes or auction items, available to participants.
Top photo: Ron Puccio stripes his ball down the middle of the fairway to get his tournament, and his team, off to a good start. His team (next three photos) included Dan Voltura, Fred Hamilton, and Ed Priestley.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Bill Utter, in orange shirt, last year's 50-50 drawing winner, gets ready to draw the 2022 winner, while Sue Underwood and Chris Rumfola look on.
Genesee Cancer Assistance will hold its’ 27th Annual Golf Tournament Saturday, July 30th at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia. Join us for an 18 hole scramble, shotgun start at 1pm. $120 per golfer includes a cart, lunch, registration gift, dinner with awards, door prizes and raffles following golf! Registration deadline is July 22nd. We are already more than halfway full so don’t wait to register @ www.geneseecancerassistance.org/golf-tournament or call (585)345-0417
Genesee Cancer Assistance has assisted in helping hundreds of patients each year since its founding, offering services free of charge for those living in Genesee County. GCA relies on successful fundraisers like our annual golf tournament, donations and community support to continue their mission. Genesee Cancer Assistance offers each cancer patient $600 of financial assistance to help lessen the burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
For more information on this event and/or to sign up online at www.geneseecancerassistance.org/golf-tournament or call the office (585)345-0417
Photo: File Photo from the 2016 tournament by Howard Owens.
The Batavia Police Department has closed out the Mo-Vember / Don’t Shave December campaigns for 2021.
The department was able to raise $1,730 for Genesee Cancer Assistance. Members of the department would like to thank the community for their support and donations.
The Mo-Vember Worldwide Campaign started in 2003 in Australia and has since grown. Mo-vember was started to bring awareness to Men’s Health; specifically, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
The Genesee County Deputy Sheriff's Association, in cooperation with Sheriff William Sharon, raised $1,900 for Genesee Cancer Assistance in 'Movember.'
Members of the association were allowed to grow beards in November in exchange for a $100 donation to GCA. In total, 19 members of the association participated.
Nickie Fazio has no problem remembering when she joined the board of Genesee Cancer Assistance; it was in March 2017.
The year was to become an important one for Fazio, who had already lost her mother to ovarian cancer.
“I found out I had breast cancer the following month," she said Saturday evening during GCA’s 25th anniversary celebration. “This is something we had a need for in this area."
As a volunteer, former patient, board member and now current board president, Fazio encompasses nearly every facet of the organization that's integral to its success. Organization members celebrated those aspects throughout the evening at Batavia Downs Gaming with running slideshows; words of remembrance, recognition and hope; and relishing the nonprofit’s success to date.
GCA’s humble beginnings were in 1995, founded as Genesee Cancer Care by Dorothy Schlaggel and Russ Romano. Both Schlaggel and Romano were unavailable to be at the event and shared some thoughts through letters sent to the board. Romano, a Batavia-based realtor, recalled a day in February 1995 when his friend Dorothy stopped in to see him. A cancer survivor herself, Schlaggel talked about her vision to establish a grassroots cancer organization after American Cancer Society closed its local doors here.
At one point, Romano asked her “Why are you telling me this?” She explained that he knows a lot of people, and is organized, so she thought he’d be the perfect partner for this endeavor. He agreed, and they never looked back.
Festival of Hope was the kick-off fundraiser, and it not only raised money but also awareness about the agency and what it was doing. Over the years that idea has been transformed into what the GCA has become today, he said.
Schlaggel wrote that two key events — Festival of Hope and GCA’s golf tournament — made that transformation possible. A gradual flow of contributions from other charitable organizations and "tremendous community support" allowed the effort to flourish, she said.
“I would like to say to all who give their time, effort and support to this worthy organization, thank you and God bless,” she said.
Both Batavia residents had a shared desire to create an organization so that cancer patients living in Genesee County would have access to financial aid and a variety of support services. That first year brought in eight patients and gave them $945 for their out-of-pocket expenses. 11 years later there were 140 patients per year and financial assistance of more than $52,000. Now GCA serves nearly as many — 100 to 120 people — per month, and provides $600 a person and free admission to the Simply Beautiful program.
More than two and a half decades have brought with them golf tournaments, spaghetti dinners, basket raffles, picnics, grants and other special projects. All totaled, those efforts have meant more than $1 million raised and dispersed to 2,000 patients. Financial assistance is provided to cancer patients to offset medical costs, trips to related medical facilities, prescriptions and Simply Beautiful, a program to assist cancer patients with the negative effects of cancer treatment on one’s hair and skin.
Enter Joseph “Joe” Gerace, a city hair stylist who not only founded Simply Beautiful, but also became the face and heart of the program. He instructed cancer patients how to apply makeup and use and care for wigs as they dealt with cancer treatment’s physical effects. He also, apparently nudged people into getting involved before they knew what was happening.
“He’s special to a lot of people,” Master of Ceremonies Paul Figlow said. “Joe has a funny way of asking people … Joe doesn’t say would you mind being on the board of GCA? No. He said, Paul you’re on the board. He’s in our thoughts always.”
Gerace’s daughter, Karen Rowland, embraced her dad’s giving spirit as she shared how he would feel.
“He would be so proud of all of you, he would be so ecstatic,” she said to the crowd of 215 people. “Growing up I was raised knowing and hearing about Genesee Cancer Assistance. His involvement was in so many things, but especially Genesee Cancer Assistance and the Simply Beautiful program, which he created.”
Just for the occasion, she listed his attributes as they fit into the spelling of his name: J is for juggler, and “a heart so involved in so many organizations;” O is for having an open-door policy and being ready to talk and plan out the next new event; S for selfless, which was so evident by his presence at so many events; E for encourager; P for passionate; and H for helping others. And G as in Gerace, she said, "For get ‘er done." Her father "touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with," she said.
Event participants agreed. From Figlow and Fazio to volunteer Diane Martino, they all had Gerace to thank for bringing them on board with GCA.
“He’s one of the most wonderful, caring men I’ve ever met,” Fazio said. “He was so passionate about everything he did, and about the Simply Beautiful program. I know Joe would be so incredibly proud.”
She began to volunteer in 2015 before joining the board in 2017 and becoming president two years ago. Fazio was recruited to help Gerace, and readily admits that “wig care is not the same as hair care,” which makes the lessons so valuable to patients. When Gerace died in 2016, Fazio became even more involved with the program, she said.
"He motivated me to come and volunteer and help out," she said.
Martino and her husband were friends with Gerace, and learned about the work he did at GCA.
“I just came and did stuff,” she said. “It’s to help give back to the community.”
There’s a joke about her being a “poster child” for the agency, she said. It’s a literal term, since she has been seen so many times taping up event posters throughout town. Martino even brings along her own tape. She wants no specific recognition of herself, but of the group as a whole, she said.
Proclamations from Genesee County, New York State Assembly and Senate offices, and the City of Batavia took care of that. Each one recognized the efforts of GCA and its importance to the community. Genesee County Legislator Shelley Stein, who has battled cancer, added her own words to the proclamation's text.
“Those of us in this room will always remember the day of our diagnosis,” she said. “I’ve come to learn that hope lives in Genesee Cancer Assistance, and hope works through the people in this room. And our community is blessed.”
Attendees at the 25th Genesee Cancer Assistance celebration Saturday enjoy dinner, take photos and listen to speakers Saturday at Batavia Down Gaming, including Genesee County Legislator Shelley Stein, in top photo presenting a proclamation to GCA Board President Nickie Fazio, GCA Executive Director Sue Underwood, Sue Underwood with volunteer Diane Martino, Karen Rowland, longtime GCA board member Dr. Roger Mudd and Master of Ceremonies Paul Figlow. Photos by Howard Owens
After a year’s delay of celebrating the 25-year existence of Genesee Cancer Assistance — which means founders, board members, patients and volunteers — the nonprofit will finally have its day.
The organization’s dinner celebration is at 5 p.m. Saturday at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road, Batavia.
“When we realized it was 25 years, we thought this was a great way to celebrate,” Executive Director Sue Underwood said Saturday to The Batavian. “It’s not a fundraiser, just a dinner celebration … where we could give back to the community for all their help and support. We will recognize the board, volunteers and patients that are there, and local businesses and community supporters will be recognized.”
Not an unfamiliar scenario during this past year, GCA had to postpone plans for an annual event in 2020 due to Covid-19’s impact on large and public gatherings. So it is actually 26 years old now, after being founded in 1995 by Dorothy Schlaggel and Russ Romano.
The duo had a shared objective to create an organization to assist cancer patients in Genesee County with access to financial aid and other related supportive services. The hundreds helped each year have turned into thousands of people able to obtain financial assistance for costs associated with their diagnosis and treatment, GCA’s website states.
This assistance includes expenses related to prescriptions, medical co-pays, transportation to and from medical facilities, home health care and related equipment and child care. The organization also provides biblical counseling, support groups, informative materials and the Simply Beautiful program, created to help cancer patients with personalized advice for how to deal with the side effects of treatment on their hair and skin.
Appetizers and beverages are to begin at 5 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m., and the program from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Paul Figlow will serve as master of ceremonies, and Karen Rowland is to speak in memory of her father and huge GCA supporter, Joseph Gerace. Music, assorted memorabilia and, perhaps, some live racing or casino action may fill part of the evening, Underwood said.
There will be giveaways of gift cards, centerpieces and themed baskets throughout the event, she said.
“November is a time to be thankful, and it’s really to show people that we’re thankful for the community support,” she said.
Tickets are $35, including $25 of Free Play, and are available through Sunday, Nov. 14, as a total count must be turned in by Monday. To order, go to geneseecancerassistance.org
Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., is proud to acknowledge Merrill Lynch as a $5,000 corporate sponsor in recognition of the nonprofit agency's 25 years of serving cancer patients in Genesee County.
A 25th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for Nov. 20 at the Park Place Banquet Room at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with appetizers at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m., followed with a special recognition program and music.
Tickets are $35 each and include $25 in free play at the casino. Tickets are presale only and available for purchase until Nov. 12 by calling the office at (585) 345-0417 or online at: https://gca-25th-anniversary.eventbrite.com/.
More information can be found at www.geneseecancerassistance.org.
The event will be an acknowledgment of GCA’s community supporters, dedicated volunteers and the cancer patients it serves.
Photo: From left, Cal Klemmer of the Merrill Lynch office; GCA Executive Director Sue Underwood, volunteers Shirley Puleo and Teresa Potrzebowski, and GCA Board President Nickie Fazio. Photo by Alecia Kaus.
