THE POWER OF PURPLE
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20th is
POWER OF PURPLE DAY
JOIN US FOR THE FIGHT against pancreatic cancer by helping us light up the world in PURPLE during the month of November! For the past three years, we have had supporters from across the United States light up their homes and businesses with purple lights, including Hartford City Hall. Our goal is to have a home / business lit in every state and internationally. We already have partners in the United Kingdom and Germany participating.
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Please share pictures of your lights with us at info@ronsrun.org Please “LIKE” us on the Power of Purple Facebook page!
Ron’s Rescue Fund: When Pamela Walters was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April of 2012, she was given a 5% chance to survive beyond six months. “I remember my surgeon told me about an organization he thought I should look into, but honestly I was so sick and overwhelmed I didn’t even remember he’d mentioned it. It wasn’t until I was going through chemo that my advocate brought the Ron Foley Foundation to my attention.” Up until that point, Pam and her family had been “We really just needed to get caught up. I’m lucky that I have good insurance, but the initial costs still took a huge toll on our ability to stay current
West Hartford Center businesses will be lighting up their windows with purple lights with many donating a portion of their day’s sales to the Ron Foley Foundation. Others are selling purple wristbands and setting up pancreatic cancer awareness tables. Stay tuned through our website www.ronsrun.org and Facebook page for a list of businesses generously participating.
A few of the businesses participating this year… BK & Company Bob DeGemmis’ Dressed to the Nines Lux Bond & Green Labrazel Home DeRobertis Jewelers Webster Bank
We are excited that Aetna has agreed to light its Hartford headquarters in purple again this year!
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In West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square
Pamela Walters with our bills.” are no other organizations out there willing to help – it’s the paperwork combined with the fact that you really have to be diligent to make your case and follow up. “It’s a full time job that’s most amazing thing about Ron’s Rescue Fund is that because you’re working with such a well-run grassroots Foundation, the decisions are made personally and quickly.” were able to catch up on their mortgage and pay a much needed oil bill. “I can’t tell you what it meant to us.”
Volunteer Spotlight:
After being in remission for most of 2013, Pam’s tumor returned shortly after Christmas. She is back in chemo and researching alternative treatments. Pam shared her journey with the 450 2014 Ron’s Run for the Roses attendees because she feels it’s important for is to diagnose and just how devastating it can be.
Mary Froeb
A pancreatic cancer survivor and longtime friend of the Foley family, Mary Froeb worked with Barbara planning the very
as a volunteer and contributor year after year. For the last two years, Mary has chaired the silent and live auction at Ron’s Run. If you’ve attended the event, you’ve seen for yourself how much work goes into the auction. She and her team are careful to make sure there is something for everyone.
the Roses in 2009. And although Mary didn’t actually make it to that initial Kentucky Derby gathering due to the birth
so I know how lucky I am to have beaten it,” says Mary “I want to do whatever I can to make others aware. Even more than that, what I like most about the Ron Foley Foundation is the focus on
need when no one else will. Research is important, of course, but people helping people – that’s what it’s all about for me.” Mary also feels that what sets Ron’s Run apart is “I love that the event caters to young professionals as well as those more established in their careers. It’s such a fun day, and I’ve met so many wonderful people I might not have. I really feel like what I
Fall 2014 Newsletter
Inside
Meeting New Friends
POWER OF PURPLE
Rosanne Bengough and her twin sister, Louanne, lost their mother to pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2013. Shortly after, Rosanne decided to leave California, where she’d lived with her mom, and move closer to her sister in Connecticut. In February of 2014 she started working at Massage Envy in
RON’S RESUCE FUND: PAMELA WALTERS VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: MARY FROEB MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT UCONN HEALTH CENTER
desk was the invitation for Ron’s Run for the Roses. She reached help. Rosanne, Louanne and her husband, and Massage Envy franchise owners Del Lebel, Anthony Vidal and Ruth Lebel started by attending the May 3rd Derby event.
RON’S RUN FOR THE ROSES
Dear Friends... These have been exciting days for the Foundation. Ron’s Run for the Roses has grown tremendously since our first event, which was attended by 75 guests in my backyard and raised $19,000. Thanks to the hard work of our tireless volunteers and your very generous support, the 6th annual Ron’s Run drew 450 guests and grossed $277,000 in donations. In addition to our grants of $150,000 to Hartford Hospital, and the $24,000 that we have given to Ron’s Rescue patients, your support most recently enabled us to provide $75,000 to UConn’s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center. This grant will aid Pramod Srivastava, Ph.D., M.D. to pursue the use of personalized medicine through DNA sequencing in treating pancreatic cancer - cutting-edge research that may lead to more effective and humane treatments of pancreatic cancer. Over the past seven years I have met so many inspiring and courageous people. In this newsletter you will get to know my dear friend Mary Froeb, a pancreatic cancer survivor and our talented auction chairperson. You’ll also learn more about Ron’s Rescue recipient Pamela Walters who spoke so poignantly at Ron’s Run in May.
Our Mission
One of our long-term volunteers, Ed Blumenthal, taught us how to be creative while raising funds and public awareness of our cause. His “Purple Peak Challenge” was a grueling cross-country skiing adventure through a remote area of the Colorado Rockies. By tapping the power of “Crowdrise”, Eddie was able to gather $22,000 in donations for the Foundation. We are extremely proud of Ed’s amazing accomplishment and touched by his generosity. Don’t forget that November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, so get your purple on! Please light up your homes in purple for awareness, join us at our Zombie Chase 5K on November 2nd at the MDC Reservoir in West Hartford and at our special Power of Purple shopping event on Thursday, November 20th in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square Together we can make a difference… Warmly,
Ronald Edwards Foley
The Ron Foley Foundation is focused on increasing public awareness of the pain, suffering and loss caused by pancreatic cancer so that early detection will become a widely shared priority. We are committed to helping people diagnosed with the disease and their families by creating a comprehensive local network for information, education and support as well as by raising money to fund medical research for developing more effective treatments.
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARTFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 1121
1000 Farmington Avenue, Suite 108A, West Hartford, CT 06107
Hartford Marathon Foundation Presents
Don’t change out of your Halloween costumes just yet! Come dressed to chase or be chased. We are THRILLED to announce our 2nd Annual 5K! Teaming up with the Hartford Marathon Foundation, we’ve created a special race on Sunday, November 2nd. Humans start at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Zombies at 10:02 – hence the “Zombie Chase.” New this year: Kids’ Race starting at 9:30. Post-race party to follow at
MCLADDEN’S IRISH PUBLICK HOUSE
37 LaSalle Road, West Hartford
Thank you to our Zombie Chase sponsors
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
ANDROS, FLOYD & MILLER ANYTIME FITNESS BUTLER EQUIPMENT DAVID LITCHFIELD BUILDING & REMODELING HARTFORD DISTRIBUTORS, INC. KINGSWOOD OXFORD SCHOOL MASSAGE ENVY & SPA PURPLE CRUSH CHALLENGE RACHEL ADELE PHOTOGRAPHY & STUDIOS ROBERT HENSLEY & ASSOCIATES STEVE RACCAGNI STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION BY DESIGN WHOLE FOODS
Events Calendar Sunday November 2nd, 10:00 a.m.
ZOMBIE CHASE 5K RACE
MDC West Hartford Reservoir Route 4/Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT
Wednesday, November 19th
Our Story
Established in memory of Ron Foley, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in October of 2005, the Foundation bearing his name is dedicated to promoting early detection and, when those closest to Ron in life felt they could harness the generosity of his spirit to raise
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS COMMUNITY LECTURE
Pancreas Foundation in Ron’s memory, and a tradition was born. Encouraged by the success of that initial Derby Day gathering, and with the support of
Thursday, November 20th - All Day
Foley Foundation. Today, this 501(c)(3) charitable organization sponsors a series of annual events to build awareness and raise funds for research, education and patient assistance.
Avon Cancer Center, 80 Fisher Drive, Avon, CT
THE POWER OF PURPLE SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA
Participating West Hartford Businesses
Tuesday, December 2nd, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS COMMUNITY LECTURE
Gateway Medical Park-South 300 Western Blvd, Suite C, Glastonbury, CT
Tuesday, December 2nd
GIVING TUESDAY
Don’t forget to pay it forward on Giving Tuesday. Please help us to expand our Ron’s Rescue program with your donation.
Saturday, May 2nd, 2015, 2:30 - 7:00 p.m.
SEVENTH ANNUAL RON’S RUN FOR THE ROSES
Folly Farm, 75 Hartford Road, Simsbury, CT 2015 Honorary Corporate Chair: Robert E. Patricelli Chairman & CEO, Women’s Health USA, Inc.
Ron’s Rescue Fund funds for research into new screening and treatment methods, we also know that patients Imagine receiving the devastating news that you, your spouse or another loved one may have pancreatic cancer. Your world is changed forever. You quickly become engulfed in you’ve exhausted your savings, and the stress becomes unbearable. cover expenses for essential needs that will otherwise go unmet.
RON FOLEY FOUNDATION
1000 Farmington Avenue, Suite 108A West Hartford, CT 06107 860-521-0500 www.ronsrun.org www.facebook.com/ronsrun