Genesee Cancer Assistance

Jordan Fluker, Mr. Batavia 2015, presented a check today to Genesee Cancer Assistance for $3,055, which is the proceeds from this year's Mr. Batavia event at Batavia High School. Pictured with Fluker are Joe Gerace and Patricia Arnold.

Photo submitted by Lisa Robinson.

This is the second in our series of profiles of the 2014 Chamber of Commerce Award winners. The awards will be presented at a dinner at the Clarion Hotel on Saturday.

One of Genesee County's most active volunteer organizations is in for a pretty big year. Genesee Cancer Assistance is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and it's being honored with a Special Service Recognition Award from the Chamber of Commerce.

Consisting of two office staff and around 50 volunteers, Genesee Cancer Assistance was founded in 1995 after the American Cancer Society withdrew its services from Genesee County. The organization provides emotional, financial and practical support to Genesee County cancer patients and their families. According to office manager Patricia Arnold, they have helped about 1,700 families and given more than half a million dollars to cancer patients in the last 20 years.

Some of their most well-known annual fund-raising events include the Festival of Hope, 5K Walk, golf tournament and spaghetti dinner.

Their nomination came from Paul Figlow, a member of the Genesee Cancer Assistance board of directors and chairman of the Festival of Hope.

"The reason I nominated (Genesee Cancer Assistance) is that I really think we need to get the word out about what we do," Figlow said.

Three things that make Genesee Cancer Assistance special

If you talk to the people involved, they will tell you that there are at least three major factors that distinguish Genesee Cancer Assistance.

First, all of the money they raise stays in Genesee County and goes directly to those who need it.

Second, everyone involved with the charity has been personally touched by cancer in some way.  Figlow, for example, lost his mother to cancer in 2010.

"Probably about 99 percent of the people involved can give you a story," Figlow said. "Our organization really hits home to a lot of people."

Finally, the people of Genesee Cancer Assistance give their time and effort neither out of necessity nor personal gain, but because they have a passion for it.

“We're blessed with a very strong board presence,” said Steve Grice, board member and golf tournament co-chair, “people who are willing to put the effort in. But we're also blessed with a group of volunteers who don't go out and wave a flag, but are right there when we have an event.  They show up and ask, ‘What can we do? Where do you want me?’ Anything you ask them to do, they'll do.”

Volunteers will also help with technology, advertising, or other areas according to their interest and expertise.

“It’s like God brought them down here,” said Board Member Joe Gerace, who is chairman of the spaghetti dinner fundraiser. “They really are good people. And they don’t complain (about the work). This is really a big family.”

As for Arnold and Sue Underwood, the only two paid staff, Grice said that they go “above and beyond” for their positions.

How Genesee Cancer Assistance works

Each patient is given $400 upon application. This is to help with hospital visits, copays, mileage, hospital parking fees, etc.

"It may seem like a small gesture to some," Grice said. "The money sometimes might seem minimal; but it's really not minimal to someone who's lying in a hospital bed on chemo and just wants somebody to hold their hand, or just sit there and watch TV with them. The family might not have the funds, because of insurance and all that."

Patient advocacy is also a big part of the mission. Staff at Genesee Cancer Assistance will answer, to the best of their ability, questions about any issues or concerns patients bring to them.

"Say a patient calls and says their utilities were shut off," Arnold said. "We will step in and tell them how to go about contacting the utility companies and what has to be done for their heat, for example, not to be shut off."

She said that oftentimes, if a patient can present proof from a doctor stating that the loss of electricity or other utilities would cause him or her harm, then the company cannot shut them off. But there are specific procedures people must go through in cases like these, and Genesee Cancer Assistance can guide them through such procedures.

Other services include referrals to other agencies when necessary (for example, when people have used up the services Genesee Cancer Assistance is able to provide), sharing educational materials with the community, and free Biblical counseling through Grace Baptist Church in Batavia.

"Simply Beautiful"

One of Genesee Cancer Assistance's best-kept secrets is the "Simply Beautiful" program, which is Gerace's brainchild. He runs it with the help of dedicated volunteers Carol Grasso, Joyce Meisner, Karen Roland and Amy Nichols, as well as others.

It is sort of a cross between cosmetic aid and a support group. The first thing Gerace does for everyone once they arrive is try to make them comfortable.

"When they come in, they're very nervous," Gerace said. “And I try to help them out. I give them coffee, or donuts, or fruit. It depends. (Once they feel relaxed), if they don't have a wig, I put a wig on them to show them what they look like."

Patients -- both men and women -- get free makeup and wigs (or hats, if they are not interested in wigs) up to $200 in value, over and above the $400 they receive upon application. Makeup includes artificial eyebrows and eyelashes for those who have lost these as a result of chemotherapy.

"Simply Beautiful" meets on a monthly basis as a general rule, although sometimes this is impossible due to treatment schedules or illness. In those cases, Gerace will do his best to accommodate people's needs.

"They'll either call me up, or call Patty from the office, who says: 'Joe, we got a woman who needs a hairpiece and can't wait. Would you let her come to the office and see if it's what she wants?' I've done that many times."

Gerace started "Simply Beautiful" after being involved with a similar program in association with the American Cancer Society, "Look Good, Feel Better."

When American Cancer Society services diminished in Genesee County, he and his fellow volunteers "had to start from fresh." He was asked to come up with the name for a new program, and was told to "keep it simple."

"And I said, 'Yes, that's a good name -- "Simply Beautiful.” ’ ”

A community effort

Another ingredient in the success of Genesee Cancer Assistance is their ability to form productive partnerships with people in the community.

"There are many people that we have helped who take it on themselves to do their own fundraisers,” Figlow said. “And they basically do it all themselves. These are quite the events -- I'm sure they spend months working on them. (In each case) they tell us about the event, they take care of everything, and then we receive a check every year."

Some of their partners include Paul Berardini of Big Pauly's Pizza, T.F. Brown's, Kiwanis of Corfu-Pembroke, Toni Funke and her "Zumba in the Sand" program, and Michelle Shade, who puts on a "Christmas Angel Festival and Basket Raffle" at Calvary Baptist Church in Batavia every November.

"All the service clubs in Genesee County help us some way somehow," Gerace said, "whether it's the Lions Club, Zonta, Sertoma Club (and others). And Patty Arnold is very good about making sure everyone who helps us gets a thank-you."

For more information on Genesee Cancer Assistance and what they do, call 345-0417.

Photo: Dr. Kevin Mudd, president of Genesee Cancer Assistance Board of Directors.

Would you like to make a difference in the life of a cancer patient? Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., has been in operation since 1995 and has strived to make the difference in the lives of Genesee County residents who have fought the courageous battles against cancer.

Our annual golf tournament is being held on Friday August 15, 2014 at the Batavia Country Club in Batavia and on behalf of the board of directors, the numerous volunteers and most importantly, the cancer survivors, we are asking for your support. If you're not aware, 100% of your financial support stays here in Genesee County.

This year's tournament is in memory of Patrick "Swaz" Suozzi & Jerry Martino!

The cost is $90 per player. Requested foursomes can only be made at registration, otherwise foursomes will be made up randomly. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., with lunch served at 11 a.m. at the Halfway House (outside). Shotgun starts at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Registration deadline is Friday, August 11, 2014.

Lunch and dinner tickets will be distributed at registration. Soda and beer are included with lunch and dinner. The steak dinner starts immediately after golf with awards and prizes to follow in the Club House. Prizes are for a hole-in-one prize on all Par 3's, 50/50 raffles, and a putting contest.

For more information or questions, please contact John Gerace (585) 303-0407 or via e-mail at: johngerace@rochester.rr.com

Genesee Cancer Assistance hosted a 5K race this morning that started and ended at DeWitt Recreation Area on Cedar Street. The event is combined with a chicken BBQ, chance auction and balloon release.

We'll post race results after we receive them.

The Genesee County Women’s Republican Club will host its annual Lucky Numbers Auction event on Aug. 2 at the Batavia Country Club, 7909 Batavia-Byron Road, Batavia.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30. Cost is $18 per person.

Reservations must be made ASAP by calling Melissa Gaebler at (585) 297-7948, or emailing her galaxie561@hotmail.com. Genesee Cancer Assistance is the club’s “Caring for America” charity this year. People attending are encouraged to bring a donation.

New members or anyone interested in joining the Women’s Republican Club are welcome to attend.

Bontrager's Third Annual Harvest Dinner Dance to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance will be held on Saturday Sept. 24 at Bontrager's Auction Center, 8975 Wortendyke Road in the Town of Batavia.

Tickets are available the auction center or by calling Bob Stocking at 762.8585 or 409.8439.

Cost is $20 and includes a full dinner and music by the Ghost Riders. Dinner will be from 5 to 7 p.m. and dancing is from 7 to 10 p.m.

If you want to come for the dancing only, you can just show up at the door and pay $10.

A Gibson guitar that has been signed by Alan Jackson, Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis and other famous artists will be raffled off. The drawing will take place Saturday night.

No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the premises.

Joe Gerace, left, Dorothy Schlaggel and Justin Calarco-Smith share a passion for helping cancer victims. As members of the Genesee Cancer Assistance Board of Directors, they took time to speak with me today about the upcoming Festival of Hope and 5K walk/run, the organization's major annual fundraiser.

Batavia Downs, at 8315 Park Road in Batavia, will host the event on Friday, June 3.

The 5k walk/run

The 5k walk/run is a new feature that was added to the Festival of Hope two years ago.

Registration starts at 4 p.m., followed by a "Lap of Honor" for cancer survivors at 5:45 and the official race at 6:15.

Schlaggel, an honorary board member and founder of Genesee Cancer Assistance, said this is not really going to be a "race," per se.

Calarco-Smith agreed.

"The competitiveness is still there," he said, "but it will be a competition to see who can raise the most money, not who gets to the finish line first."

People can run in teams or individually, and they can have people sponsor them or sponsor themselves.

Kids and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate.

"It's a family oriented event," Schlaggel said. "We want families to get involved because we help families."

Gerace, who is the Treasurer of Genesee Cancer Assistance, said that they welcome people from all different walks of life.

"We'd like to have school groups, church groups, business groups...anybody," he said.

Winners will be organized according to two overall categories: male and female. They won't be grouped by age.

Awards will be given to the following people (taken from the event flier):

• Individual walker and runner raising most in donations
• Team walkers and runners raising most in donations
• Team walkers and runners with most participants

Jogging strollers are allowed, so parents of small children should feel free to participate.

Admission is $25 for people 18 and over, $15 for people under 18.

"That money doesn't have to come out of your own pocket," Schlaggel said, having especially kids in mind. "You can go to your friends, your neighbors, or anybody you want and ask if they'll help you get into the race."

Registrants will get a T-shirt along with admission. There is no formal deadline, and people can register any time right up to, and including, the night of the race.

Additionally, for $5, kids will be able to do a "fun run" inside the track.

The festival

The Festival of Hope started in November 1995 and, in Schlaggel's words, has "just gotten bigger and bigger every year."

People don't have to run or walk to come to the festival. Anyone can go just to hang out or check out the activities for free -- although there will be costs for specific activities and for the food.

Features of this year's festival include:

• A Chinese auction
• Outdoor raffles, which will include jerseys signed by Buffalo Sabres Derek Roy and Jason Pominville
• $10 haircuts from licensed practitioners
• Massages
• Manicures from BOCES students
• Face-painting for the kids
• A "kids' zone," where, among other things, kids will get to make their own ice cream sundaes
• Free pizza from all of the local pizzerias in Batavia (served in the evening)
• Luminaria (candles), and possibly also a video, commemorating cancer victims and survivors

Calarco-Smith said they also hope to get Sabretooth, the Sabres' mascot, to make an appearance.

Gerace, Schlaggel and Calarco-Smith are inviting everyone to come, even if they don't plan to participate in the race.

"Genesee Cancer Assistance is always there when you need them," Calarco-Smith said. "We invite people to come spend an evening with us, and just see what we're all about."

"Once you're out there," Gerace said, "you'll be hooked, and you'll want to come back every year."

Schlaggel responded to this by recalling a little girl with leukemia who started coming to the festival years ago.

"Now she's about 24 years old, and she comes every year with her mom and grandmother."

All of the money raised through the festival and the race will stay right here in Genesee County.

Genesee Cancer Assistance

After the American Cancer Society closed its Batavia chapter about 20 years ago, Schlaggel, who used to serve on their board, wanted to form a local organization to address the difficulties facing families and individuals battling cancer.

She's had a couple of personal brushes with cancer herself. Her brother died of cancer in the early 1980s, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989.

"At some point in their lives, everyone is somehow affected by cancer," Calarco-Smith said.

Schlaggel was lucky enough to survive her bout with breast cancer, and is being honored this year as a survivor.

"A lot of people think I'm dead," she commented, "because it says, 'In honor of Dorothy Schlaggel.' I'd like everyone to know that I'm very much alive."

Calarco-Smith said the local assistance group wouldn't exist if not for her.

"It all started with her," Calarco-Smith said. "It's time she gets recognized for everything she's done for the people here in Genesee County."

Assistance given by Genesee Cancer Assistance -- which is an entirely local organization with no administrators and only one paid employee -- varies from case to case. Some of their most common provisions are assistance with co-pays and the purchase of wigs for patients going through chemotherapy.

In cases where people need to travel to receive treatment, Genesee Cancer Assistance will also pay for gas mileage and, if necessary, for babysitters. There was even a case where a woman living in a second-floor apartment couldn't stand the summer heat while undergoing chemo, so they paid for an air conditioner.

"(Assistance) is need-based," Schlaggel said.

Whatever a person or family's needs are, the demand for such a group can't be denied.

"Cancer is our number one killer (in the United States)," Gerace said. "But Genesee Cancer Assistance just keeps getting better, bigger and stronger."

"We won't go away until cancer goes away," Schlaggel said.

Some other important notes

If anyone needs a break during the evening, Gerace said Batavia Downs is permitting people to set up "comfort stations" on the grounds.

"People can bring chairs and pitch a tent if they want to get out of the sun for a minute. We want them to be comfortable."

Gerace also wants to assure people that alcohol will not be allowed at the event, which will take place in the downstairs portion of the Downs and outside.

"If anyone wants to drink or gamble, they'll have to go to the second floor."

If you have any questions or would like more information, call Justin Calarco-Smith at 356-1668 or email manumana@aol.com.

To learn more about Genesee Cancer Assistance, go to www.geneseecancerassistance.com.

Supplemental Video: Lincoln Tunnel Challenge (NYC)

Speaking of races, here's some "home video" footage I took while walking/running the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge with my cousins and siblings about a month ago. Hopefully, this will give people some inspiration and "pep."

This race through the Lincoln Tunnel, which takes runners from the New Jersey side to the New York City side and back again, is held every year to raise money for the Special Olympics.

There was a big turn out at Ferrellgas on Ellicott Street in Batavia this morning for the fuel company's second annual "Refill-A-Thon."

Customers were invited to bring their 20-pound gas grill bottles for a free refill with a $5 donation to Genesee County Cancer Assistance.

No word yet on how much was raised this morning, but last year's event raised $2,000 for the American Red Cross.

Ferrellgas expected to donate 1,600 gallons of gas and employees volunteered their time to help with the event.

The City Centre was packed with Zumba dancers this afternoon as part of a "Party of Hope" to raise money for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Zumba is a fusion of Latin beats, international music and fitness dance moves.

Dancers donated money to participate.

Genesee Cancer Assistance held one of its biggest annual fundraisers this evening at Batavia Downs. It featured a full buffet-style dinner, hosted bar, basket raffles, auction and music from The Trolls.

Above, John Gerace, his wife Rhonda and children Taylor, 16, and Jackson, 13. John, a member of Rotary, is the son of Joe Gerace, one of the founders Genesee Cancer Assistance and also a member of Rotary. Rhonda, too, is a member of Rotary (There, that should be worth some fines.)

There was a large turn out Friday evening at Batavia Downs for the annual Festival of Hope to benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance.

GCA raised $30,000 this year.

The event featured a 5K walk/run, games for children, music, a Chinese Auction and haircuts and beauty treatments.

On left below, Paul C. Stomper poses with Dr. Kevin Mudd. Stomper was the keynote speaker Friday. The Batavia native has travelled the U.S. working with cancer patients and has authored a book, "Come Sunday, Inspiration for Living with Heart."  Mudd is president of GCA. You can find out more about Stomper and his book at ComeSunday.net.

More pictures after the jump:

Joe and Lois Gerace were in the Stafford Fire Hall this evening serving up heaping helpings of Joe's famous spaghetti. The dinner was a benefit for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

I'm proud to say that in the Chinese auction, Billie and I won a painting by John Hodgins and a Batavia Muckdogs sign with a mounted baseball bat.

Submitted by Tammy Cassidy:

Oakfield-Alabama Elementary School employees, pictured in their “Fight Like a Girl” T-shirts, show support for Mrs. Esther Goodrich, who is battling breast cancer. Mrs. Goodrich is the wife of the school district’s Director of Special Education, Mike Goodrich. Thanks to elementary school Principal Mark Alexander, teachers and staff enjoyed a dress down day. All proceeds will benefit Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Our dinner tonight was some of Joe Gerace's famous spaghetti and meatballs at Holy Name of Mary Church in East Pembroke. The popular dinner is a fundraiser for Genesee Cancer Assistance. Friends told us to get their early because it's not unusual for them to run out of sauce.

Besides the great services provided by Genesee Cancer Assistance, one of the great things about the charity is that it has no overhead and all the money donated stays in Genesee County.

Gerace is pictured below on the right.

On June 6 at Batavia Downs, there will be a Festival of Hope to benefit the Genesee Cancer Assistance program.

The event runs from 4 p.m. and includes a Kidsfest starting at 5 p.m.

Children 8 and under can be pre-registered by parents calling Jennifer Lewis at 820-6946.

Tonette Stone of Noah's Ark Animal Workshop sent us a message this morning about her participation in the Kidsfest.

Noah's Ark Animal Workshop will be taking pre-orders for our Hope Bear to be delivered at the event.  The cost is $25, with $5.00 going to the GCA fundraiser.  We will also be selling "Wishing Stars" throughout the event at $3.00 each with all the proceeds going to GCA. 

For more information, click here.