Rff spring15 newsletter 6page final hr

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARTFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 1121

1000 Farmington Avenue, Suite 108A, West Hartford, CT 06107

May 2, 2015 from 2:30 to 7:00 at Folly Farm, 75 Hartford Rd, Simsbury, CT

7th Annual

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

We are pleased to have Robert Patricelli, Founder, CEO and President of Women’s Health USA and Elliot Joseph, CEO and President of Hartford Healthcare as our Honorary Chairs this year. We are honored to receive the support of Folly Farm in Simsbury, to be the host venue of our lead fundraising event. It all takes place on Saturday, May 2nd, Kentucky Derby Day. PRESENTING SPONSOR New Country Motor Car Group

* sponsors as of April 3, 2015

TRACKSIDE SPONSORS Aetna Andros, Floyd and Miller, P.C. Bradley, Foster & Sargent Chase Family Foundation GitlinCampisePrendergast HarConn Chrome Interpace Diagnostics, LLC Jennifer Loughran Massage Envy Tom and Mary McGowan Sanborn Mortgage Betsey and David Sessions Simsbury Bank The Toczydlowski Family Fund UConn Health Richard Wallace JOCKEY CLUB Hoffman Auto KLN Insurance New England Financial Group LLC Prime Healthcare ProHealth Physicians

It is never too late to be a sponsor! Please contact us at Barbara@ronsrun.org for more information. Thank You!

b Saturday, May 2nd

Sunday, April 19th, 1:30 pm

RON FOLEY FOUNDATION DAY AT THE NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS

Game against New Hampshire Fisher Cats New Britain Stadium at Willow Brook Park Special ticket pricing for Ron Foley Foundation supporters

Saturday, May 2nd, 2:30 to 7:00 pm

7TH ANNUAL RON’S RUN FOR THE ROSES Folly Farm, 75 Hartford Road, Simbury, CT

Wednesday, May 6th, 8:30 am to 1:15 pm

26TH ANNUAL MARY MULREADY SULLIVAN ONCOLOGY SYMPOSIUM

for healthcare professionals (focus on pancreatic cancer) Hartford Hospital Education Resource Center 560 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT

Dressing it Up The Kentucky Derby is not only about watching the most exciting two minutes in sports; it’s also about the grand fashion and style of the attendees.

The same holds true at Ron’s Run for the Roses!

And our friends at bk&co., the women’s fashion boutique in West Hartford Center, have just the answer when it comes to Kentucky Derby style hats and dresses. Please stop into bk&co. anytime during the month of April and check out their

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gorgeous collection of hats, in a variety of styles and colors. You’ll enjoy a 20% discount on the purchase of a hat, and to show their support – owners Barbara Karsky and Karen Herbert will also donate 20% of the final sale to the Ron Foley Foundation. bk&co. will make sure no two women will be sporting the same hat.

And let’s not forget the gents! Bob DeGemmis’ Dressed to the Nines, also in West Hartford

Tuesday, May 19th, 5:00 to 7:30 pm Center, has special Derby Day hats, socks, ties, suspenders and cuff links available for the men.

Just mention the Ron Foley Foundation when making your purchase and Dressed to the Nines will donate 20% of your Derby purchase to the Foundation.

PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS COMMUNITY LECTURE

Hartford Hospital Family Health Center 1559 Sullivan Avenue, Suite 223, South Windsor, CT

Wednesday, May 27th, 5:00 to 7:30 pm

PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS COMMUNITY LECTURE Hartford Hospital Wellness Center, Blue Back Conference Room 200, 65 Memorial Road, West Hartford, CT

Inside

According to Kathy, she appreciates the grassroots nature of the Foundation. “Everyone involved seems to have been impacted by the disease in some way. We all share that common bond.” She goes on to say that having dealt with pancreatic cancer on a daily basis, she knows how important Ron’s Rescue is to families. “It gives them the assistance they need so they can spend time with their loved ones instead of worrying about financial issues.”

“I think my mom would be proud to know that her journey through pancreatic cancer has driven me and Ed to do what we can to raise awareness and money.

I’m hopeful our work will help lead to early detection for people like my best friend’s mom, who continues to bravely fight this cancer, as well as advanced treatments and eventually a cure,” says Kathy.

RON’S RUN FOR THE ROSES RON’S RESCUE FUND: DOUG AND NANCY WINSLOW VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: DIANE GENT MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT HARTFORD HOSPITAL AND UCONN HEALTH CENTER POWER OF PURPLE FOUNDATION NEWS

Dear Friends...

It is never too late to be a sponsor! Please contact us at Barbara@ronsrun.org for more information. Thank You!

Events Calendar

Meeting New Friends

Kathy Viani lost her mom, Betty Socha, to pancreatic cancer in September of 2009 – just three months after being diagnosed. When her best friend’s mother was also diagnosed with the disease last year, Kathy was stepping down from the Board of My Sisters’ Place in Hartford and was ready to put her energies toward pancreatic cancer research. Luckily, she knew exactly where to go. She and Barbara Foley are related through a mutual cousin, and their parents were long time friends. Since then Kathy and her husband Ed have been actively involved with the Foundation. Her company, Sanborn Mortgage, is one of the first 2015 Ron’s Run for the Roses sponsors.

THANKS TO OUR 2015 MAJOR SPONSORS*

MARQUEE SPONSOR Foley Capital Partners LLC Hartford Hospital West Hartford Magazine/we-ha.com TROPHY ROOM SPONSOR Mary and Ed Budd The Hartford Courant Brian and Kathleen MacLean Patricelli Family Travelers CLUBHOUSE SPONSOR Brown-Forman ConnectiCare Connecticut GI Farmington Bank Gent Financial Group LLC Godbout Foundation Jefferson Radiology Sharon Rizikow and Frank Travis Trinchero Family Wine Estate United Bank Foundation

Spring 2015 Newsletter

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, ultimately, finding a cure through ongoing research.

Inspiration for the first fundraising event – a Kentucky Derby party in 2009 – came when those closest to Ron in life felt they could harness the generosity of his spirit to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. The day’s contributions were donated to the National 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 family, friends and dedicated volunteers, Ron’s widow, Barbara Foley, formed The Ron 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.

Ron’s Rescue Fund

While we recognize that we can’t win the fight against pancreatic cancer without raising funds for research into new screening and treatment methods, we also know that patients and their families are under tremendous financial pressure today.

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 the medical system. Financial resources are soon stretched to the limit. You may even find you’ve exhausted your savings, and the stress becomes unbearable.

That’s why we created Ron’s Rescue Fund to provide short-term financial assistance to 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

I don’t know about you, but as I get older time really does fly! This coming May 2nd will mark the 7th annual Ron’s Run for the Roses. While reflecting on this wonderful milestone, I realized that Ron would have been 70 years young this year. I’m sure that he would have been touched and humbled by the outpouring of support in our battle against pancreatic cancer. But had he been leading this fight, he would have done it in the “Go big or go home!” manner in which he lived.

In that spirit, this year’s Ron’s Run for the Roses promises to be our BIGGEST and BEST fundraiser ever. Our incredible Event Committee led by Tri-Chairs, Karen Austin, Diane Gent and Annette Landers has been working tirelessly to bring you one-of-kind silent and live auction items. And with the exciting new addition of silent auction mobile bidding, guests will no longer have to leave their friends to check on bids they have placed. Through the convenience of your own mobile phone, or using a device provided at the event, it will be as easy as a click of a button to raise your bids!

throughout the year! There’s Foundation volunteer, Brooks Loomis, who competed in the Napa Valley Ragnar Relay Race this summer and generously raised $3,800 for the Ron Foley Foundation on his Crowdrise page, aptly titled, “Purple Crush”. And Cathy King and Tim Boucher, Ron’s cousins, who donated the money they would have spent on holiday cards to the Foundation. Many thanks to all of you for showing us how many ways there are to achieve our goals!

Speaking of goals, as of this writing, the Ron Foley Foundation has brought in $760,000 and we hope the 7th annual Ron’s Run for the Roses will put us over the $1,000,000 mark.

With your help I know we can do it!

I look forward to seeing you on Derby Day! Warm Wishes,

I’d like also to call attention to individuals who have found creative ways to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer while raising funds

Our Mission

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.

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ZOMBIE CHASE 5K Even though it was a cold morning on November 2, that didn’t stop more than 300 human and zombie runners from participating in the Foundation’s second Zombie Chase 5K at the MDC West Hartford Reservoir. Under the leadership of the Hartford Marathon Foundation and race chairperson Brooks Loomis, this family event was a true success and helped kick off Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Many thanks to our Zombie Chase 5K sponsors and supporters:

PUT YOUR PURPLE ON

Hartford Hospital • UConn Health Center Connecticut GI • Andros, Floyd & Miller David Litchfield Building & Remodeling Massage Envy • McLadden’s Irish Publick House Anytime Fitness • Brown & Brown of CT • Butler Equipment Robert Hensley & Associates, LLC • Westfarms Hartford Distributors • Kingswood Oxford Whole Foods of West Hartford • Great American Donut, Inc. Jay Street Studio • Plan B Burger of Glastonbury and Rachel Adele Photography & Studio for her beautiful pictures of the event

It was like walking into a disco with all of the purple lights and decorations. Even the guests were decked out in purple. Such was the setting of the Foundation’s “Put Your Purple On” Sponsor and VIP cocktail reception. Held at New Country Motor Cars Mercedes-Benz dealership on November 14, this spectacular party was the Foundation’s way of thanking our incredible sponsors and supporters – and for kicking off Ron’s Run for the Roses 2015.

The event could not have happened without the support of host Mark Hoch, General Manager of New Country Motor Car Mercedes-Benz, and Debbie Wright, fashion stylist and owner of Project Closet. Thanks to them, as well as the following businesses who did a great job in decorating the venue, organizing an amazing and beautiful fashion show and providing delicious food for our guests.

4AVNow • Always Bloomin • Blue Elephant Trail CityFare • iHeart Media • John Casablancas Modeling • La Petite France • NoRa Cupcakes Paramount Wedding Designs & Planning Plan B Burger of Glastonbury • Rachel Adele Photography & Studios • Salute

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Raising a Glass and Special Thanks Fine wine and spirits connoisseurs were treated to something truly special when they attended Maximum Beverage’s 9th anniversary Sommelier Society’s tasting event on December 4, which also benefitted the Ron Foley Foundation. Hosted by Maximum Beverage owner, Brian Whitney and his wife, Paula, at their West Hartford home, more than 50 people enjoyed unique and limited selections. Guests donated $1,875 to the Foundation to participate in the event, and it was heartwarming to hear

from Brian and Paula that within their own family they have a pancreatic cancer survivor - Paula’s Uncle Lee.

THE POWER OF PURPLE In addition to our annual campaign to light up the country, nay, the world, in purple lights, several businesses and homes across West Hartford were aglow with purple lights this past November in recognition of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Lights extended from West Hartford Center to all corners of town and even to some stores in downtown Hartford. Most exciting was the addition of 20 full-length banners, which were proudly displayed on lampposts in the Center throughout November. On November 20th, many businesses in the Center participated in a special shopping extravaganza – donating a portion of their sales proceeds from the day to the Ron Foley Foundation. In total, approximately $1,800 was raised for pancreatic cancer research.

Special thanks to all those businesses who actively participated, as well as Kathy Eder and Tony Sisti for taking a leadership role in coordinating the Power of Purple in 2014.

Armeny Custom Jewelry Design • Backstage Pizza • The Blue Elephant Trail • bk&co.

Bob DeGemmis’ Dressed to the Nines • Bridgewater Chocolate • Central Optica • Chico’s Daswani • DeRobertis Jewelers • Eagan & Donahue • Elizabeth Grady Skin Care Salon • Fleet Feet Grant’s Restaurant and Bar • J. McLaughlin • Keating Insurance Agency • Kimberly’s Boutique LaBrazel Home • Le Petite France Bakery • Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs • Max Oyster Bar Music and Art Center • Penzey’s Spices • Pfau’s Hardware • Philip David Jewelers • Pilates Defined Restaurant Bricco • Silkworm • Silver Dahlia • Stackpole Moore Tryon Tuesday’s • The Claypen Village Vitality • West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Those highlighted in purple made a special donation to the Ron Foley Foundation.

Volunteer Spotlight: Diane Gent Diane and Chris Gent moved across the street from Barbara and Ron in 1980 and it was, as they say, the beginning of a great friendship.

By the time Ron was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the Foleys and Gents had been friends for more than two decades.

“We were there with them through their entire journey with the illness,” says Diane. “And we were there at the very first Ron’s Run in Barbara’s backyard.”

Since then, of course, the event and the Foundation have blossomed. Diane has always played an active role every year as a Ron’s Run for the Roses steering committee member

helping with auction preparation and planning, mailings and overall support when needed.

In addition, she has always been involved as a volunteer at other events like the Zombie Chase 5ks and Put Your Purple On. Today, Diane is Tri-Chair for the 7th Annual Ron’s Run for the Roses. In addition, she and her husband continue to contribute financially as well as open their home to host dinners and cocktail events. “I love the grassroots nature of the Foundation,” she says. “It’s so satisfying to be helping out with a good cause while spending time with some of my dearest and oldest friends.”

For Diane, like so many others, pancreatic cancer has touched her life in many ways. In 1981, Diane’s uncle, Congressman William R. Cotter, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and survived only six months. “I love knowing that the work I’m doing honors the memory of both Ron and my uncle Bill.”

TAKE THE CHALLENGE Our goal is to continue expanding our reach beyond Connecticut. So we would like to challenge our supporters who live far away to consider hosting a local Ron’s Run for the Roses fundraiser on Kentucky Derby Day 2015 – May 2! We can provide extensive support for those interested.

If this idea takes off, we could have a “live feed” of your event to broadcast on our big screen at Folly Farm for everyone’s enjoyment.

Can you imagine for a moment how incredible it would be to have simultaneous Ron’s Runs taking place to raise funds to benefit pancreatic cancer patients throughout the country?

Foundation News We are thrilled to report that Jennifer Loughran, volunteer and Board Member, has accepted the position of Executive Vice President. Jennifer, a former Human Resources Executive with Aetna, will manage day-to-day operations, coordinate event related committees and will continue to be the Foundation’s biggest cheerleader, in memory of her Dad, who she lost to pancreatic cancer in 2006.

It is with great sadness that we announce the resignation of Phil and Linda Renzulli (Ron’s sister and brother-in-law) from our Board of Directors due to scheduling demands. Both have been amazing friends of the Foundation since the first Ron’s Run held in Barbara’s backyard. They have generously supported the Event for many years and have been outstanding advisors to our growing Foundation.

And we are honored and excited to welcome new Board Members, Pramod Srivastava, M.D., PhD, Director of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health, Dr. Ramon Jimenez, M.D., surgical oncologist at Hartford Hospital and Attorney Carolyn McKenna, General Counsel of the Western Connecticut Health Network, Danbury.

Ron’s Rescue Fund: Doug and Nancy Winslow Over the course of just two days Nancy Winslow’s husband, Doug, lost his job and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “To say we were blindsided would be putting it mildly,” says Nancy. “On top of losing half our income, we’d opted for a health insurance plan with a large deductible because we were reasonably young and healthy.” What happened next will be familiar to anyone who has had a critically ill family member – the Winslows were left

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

It Was a Thrilling and Chilling Day

with a huge financial burden. “There came a point where I had to decide if I should pay the hospital or the mortgage because I couldn’t pay both,” Nancy explains. “That’s when our Nurse Navigator told me about Ron’s Rescue Fund.”

With a history of working for nonprofits, the idea of asking for help was new territory to Nancy. “I’m used to giving and to be honest I was a little embarrassed, but I was running out of options.” She sent an email through the Ron Foley Foundation website on a Thursday telling her story. The following Monday, Marge DiGalbo, the Foundation’s Ron’s Rescue Director, called her. “Almost immediately, Marge said to me ‘I want you to know, we are going to help you.’ And they did. I think they put a check in the mail

that day. It’s truly unbelievable what this small, local organization has been able to accomplish.”

Sadly, Nancy lost her husband to this horrible disease on September 15, 2014. “I was devastated. Although we’d only been married for seven years, Doug was the love of my life. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the Ron Foley Foundation. They were so supportive, not only financially but emotionally as well.”

To hear more about Nancy’s journey and her experiences with the Ron Foley

Foundation

and Ron’s Rescue Fund, please join us at the 7th annual Ron’s Run for the Roses on May 2 at Folly Farm where Nancy will be a featured speaker.

Dr. Andrew Salner Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center Hartford Hospital

Dr. Pramod Srivastava Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Connecticut School of Medicine

With the generous donations from the Ron Foley Foundation, Dr. Salner reports that his team was able to continue moving forward with its Pancreatic Cyst Registry Study. This includes hiring Andrew Mahoney as database manager to pick up development of the pancreatic cyst registry database. Funds will also go toward biostatistical analyses, another critical component to the study geared toward early detection of pancreas cancer.

The Foundation is also providing financial support to Dr. Srivastava and his team of researchers, who are using their ongoing studies with ovarian cancer as a model for creating personalized vaccines for pancreatic cancer patients.

At the end of last year, physicians from the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center also hosted two Ask the Experts events titled “Pancreatic Disease: What’s the Risk for Cancer?” More than 40 people attended the two sessions, which covered everything from the anatomy of the pancreas and what it does, to pancreatic cancer screening and treatments. The goal is to raise awareness, as well as connect people with the support they need. Attendees range from patients, to family and friends of those with the disease, to social workers and healthcare professionals. There are two additional Ask the Experts events planned for the spring in South Windsor, CT and Blue Back Square in West Hartford, CT (please see the Events Calendar section).

Also coming up on May 6th is the Mary Mulready Sullivan Oncology Symposium for 2015 sponsored in part by the Ron Foley Foundation. For just this year the Ron Foley Foundation’s Pancreatic Cancer Symposium is being merged with another of Connecticut’s major cancer symposium, now in its 26th year, which this year will focus on pancreatic cancer. By having the two organizations partner to co-sponsor the event, Dr. Salner feels they will successfully create a larger, more comprehensive symposium for healthcare professionals.

The symposium will feature five to six expert speakers and highlight cutting-edge advances in pancreatic cancer.

They have begun the process of defining how each pancreatic cancer genome differs from the normal genome. Genomes, or DNA, of cancer cells differ from the genomes in normal cells in many ways.

Some of these differences are common among many cancers, but others are as unique to each individual patient as fingerprints. Due to recent technological advances, researchers are able to pinpoint the precise manner in which each pancreatic cancer genome differs from that patient’s normal genome with greater accuracy and speed, as well as more economically.

According to Dr. Srivastava, the team will use this and other such analyses to lay the foundation for a genomics-driven immunotherapy study of human pancreatic cancers. The long-term focus is to develop a vaccine for each pancreatic cancer patient, one patient at a time, based on his or her unique DNA. The hope is to begin clinical trials late in 2016 or 2017.

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