Our inaugural year as a foundation has been a year of learning, growth and accomplishment. Through the valiant efforts of our supporters and our board, we have raised more than $35,000 for the battle against infant and pediatric cancer. I am proud of the variety of our fundraising efforts, from the Ironman event to grassroots bake sales. We have been able to directly assist 20 families who are experiencing the devastation of pediatric cancer. We contributed to research in a small way but it is our hope by raising awareness that we will be able to increase that amount in the coming years. Research is extraordinarily expensive but it is the key to a cure. There are general statistics regarding pediatric cancer and leukemia which indicates that survival is on the rise. Unfortunately, that is only snapshot of the overall pediatric cancer population. Outcomes vary widely for many different forms of leukemia, depending on age of onset, type of disease, biological and other risk factors at the cellular level. If you knew that in your lifetime you could help increase the chance of survival for a child with cancer, would you get involved? The reality is we can make a difference.
I am not sure why life has led me to this place and given the choice I would not have chosen this for myself. Life is messy and I am doing my best to accept my circumstances and turn something horrible into something meaningful and positive. Unfortunately, the alternative is to do nothing and that is simply NOT an option. I hope there is a cure in my lifetime, but at the very least, new treatment options will be discovered and the overall survival rates will improve for infant leukemia and all types of pediatric cancer. I want to be a part of making that difference and I hope you will join me.
The relentless pain of losing Evelyn is unending and during the holidays it is especially piercing. I have found hope in surprising new ways as a result of establishing this foundation in Evelyn’s honor. I have learned that love and grief are very much alike, they both have the power to forever change our lives. I am deeply moved by the love, support and generosity of others. I have discovered that my journey to finding some peace will involve helping families and children who are dealing with the unthinkable cruelty and isolation that is childhood cancer.
It has been a year of firsts and I look forward to 2011 and building on this foundation. None of this would be possible without the unfailing support of all of you. On behalf of myself, Brian and the entire EGF board, thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers and contributors for your generosity and support.
I wish you health, hope and happiness during this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year.
I leave you with our 2010 Winter Newsletter to recap.
Spotlight on Philadelphia Marathon Runners Fundraising for Evelyn Grace Foundation
United by hope, compassion, and determination, six courageous women ran as supporters of the Evelyn Grace Foundation in the Philadelphia Marathon on November 21, 2010. The fundraising initiative was lead by Virginia native, Mrs. Chandra Wells, a childhood friend of EGF President, Bobbie Doyle. Chandra wanted to show her support in honor of Evelyn and she did so in a tremendous way! She recruited several fellow runners and created six personal fundraising pages on Firstgiving.com/EvelynGraceFoundation. As a group, they raised nearly $5,000 for EGF programs to benefit children and their families fighting cancer! We at the Evelyn Grace Foundation are so deeply appreciative of these ladies: Chandra McKay Wells, Kristie Myers, Marcy Hernandez, Robyn Mabes, Susan Rolfe and Traci Polumbo. Congratulations on your achievement and thank you for your support!
We are pleased to announce that EGF’s first research grant of $10,000 was awarded to Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. The award ceremony took place on December 13, 2010. The EGF research grant program is designed to supply funding assistance to primary investigators (M.D. or M.D./Ph.D.) for promising research. The 2010 grant will help fund the UCLA Nelson Lab, which sequences genes in leukemia cells and healthy cells to identify molecules that are necessary for targeted therapy. Leukemia, or “blast” cells, are compared to mutations in healthy cells. Gene targeted therapies are less toxic than traditional treatments. It is also more effective because it targets the source of the cancer while not compromising the rest of the body by eliminating the immune system. It is our hope that this research will bring scientists one step closer to a cure for infant leukemia. Our award is a small drop in the bucket compared to the significant need for funding in the areas of infant leukemia and pediatric cancer research. We hope to continue to bring awareness to this important research and provide future grants as our organization grows. We are committed and focused on research for less common and less curable pediatric cancers, specifically those that respond poorly to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These children deserve a fighting chance!
From Left- Bobbie Doyle, Brian Doyle, Dr. Kathleen Sakamoto and Dr. Vivian Chang
The Evelyn Grace Foundation is delighted to be awarded a $15,000 grant by the Earl C. Sams Foundation, Inc. This award will contribute to our Evie’s Bundle of Love program that provides care packages of support items to newly diagnosed children with cancer and their families. The care packages are filled with soft robes, plush toys, and gift cards for basic needs, such as food and gas. Evelyn Grace Foundation delivered ten Evie’s Bundle of Love packages to Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA on October 15, 2010.
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This generous grant will allow EGF the ability to increase the number of baskets we currently deliver to Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA and Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC) directly benefiting many children with cancer.
We are honored by the Earl C. Sams Foundation’s confidence in our organization and belief in our mission. On behalf of the entire EGF board and all of our supporters, we thank the Earl C. Sams Foundation for its amazing contribution which will allow us to reach out to children and their families suffering from pediatric cancer. We are truly appreciative and blessed by your support.
2010 Holiday Bake Sale – Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Evelyn Grace Foundation hosted our Second Annual Holiday Bake Sale in Seal Beach on Saturday, December 18, 2010. A variety of sweet and savory treats were available including artfully packaged cookies, breads, and cakes. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate but that didn't stop us from having the bake sale as scheduled. At the last minute, and thanks to the manager of Pavilion's grocery store, we relocated to the entrance of Pavilion's on Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach.
Also, a special thanks to Tammy Bowling, Sharon Scarborough and Shannon Miller for their fundraising efforts at the Pennsylvania bake sale.
All proceeds support Evie’s Bundle of Love, a foundation program which provides baskets of comfort items to children who have been recently diagnosed with cancer and their families. Pictured in this photograph is Eddie Carlos, a cancer warrior and a recipient of the Evie's Bundle of Love care package while he was hospitalized @ Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) subsequent to a relapse from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after having been in remission for 2 years. Eddie was first diagnosed at age 2. He is currently +187 days post cord blood transplant and we are so happy to see him feeling great and looking adorable!
The foundation also contributes to Mattel Children’s Hospital Holiday Adopt-A-Family program to provide gifts to economically challenged families who are affected by pediatric cancer. For the 2010 holiday season the foundation sponsored five families by providing gift cards to the parents for essential items such as groceries and household supplies, educational and comforting toys and clothes for the children.
Thank you to friends, family, colleagues and everyone who volunteered, participated, donated baked goods and came out to support us on a cold and rainy day. Because of all of you we had another successful fundraiser for the Evelyn Grace Foundation, raising over $1,200. Your contribution to our bake sale helped bring a smile to a family who is suffering this Christmas.
EGF Blood Drive in Support of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA
This gift of life saves many loved ones every year. If you feel inspired to donate blood, you do not have to wait for a blood drive to give this valuable gift. You can learn more about donating blood and platelets to Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA anytime by visiting http://gotblood.ucla.edu.
You can start your very own fundraiser by creating a page on FirstGiving. It is a simple and secure method of donating online. Firstgiving fundraising pages are the perfect tool to raise money in a fun and engaging way by involving your community in your event.
Time for holiday gifts or perhaps a gift for a special event such as a wedding, baby shower, birthday, or corporate function? Please consider Baking for Good, a bakery that gives back by donating 15% of proceeds to your selected charity. Evelyn Grace Foundation is proud to be listed as a charity onBakingforgood.com.
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