Congress Passes Childhood STAR Act.

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After years of advocacy, Congress finally passed the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Treatment Access and Research (STAR) Act. This is one of the most comprehensive childhood cancer bills ever introduced to Congress, and will advance pediatric cancer research and address the ongoing needs of survivors. Making Headway is so proud to have been part of the successful advocacy team and are grateful to all the families who made this possible.

Just a few weeks ago, Making Headway Foundation sponsored families that we work with to be part of “Head to the Hill”, a day to advocate for brain tumor research and programs on Capitol Hill. Four Making Headway families, each impacted by a childhood brain tumor, told their story at the offices of Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Richard Blumenthal, and Chris Murphy, as well as eight members of the House of Representatives. Making Headway is so proud of these families, each who was able to connect with public officials in a way that even the best paid lobbyist could only dream of.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

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September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but Making Headway knows that Childhood Cancer impacts families every day of the year. Over 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year; approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease. Making Headway’s mission focuses on the most common and dangerous type of cancer, pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.

Childhood cancer may seem like an overwhelming topic, but if we really want to make a difference, we all need to help. There are so many ways that you can help children with cancer.

* Make a Contribution: 90% of the funds that support Making Headway comes from individuals like you. These donations support all of our programs that assist children with a brain or spinal cord tumor. Make a donation today in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

* Volunteer:  Service providers and hospitals are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help in a variety of capacities. To find your opportunity, search for a local service organization, hospital, or contact Making Headway at 914-238-8384.

* Advocate: Making Headway is working with local and national organizations to advocate for additional funding for medical research and a system to better assist children and families. Learn how you can help.

* Spread the Word: Forward this page to your family, friends, and co-workers. We all have to get involved to provide Care, Comfort, and a Cure for families impacted by pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.

“One Team – One Dream”. Greeley Walkathon to Raise Funds for Pediatric Cancer

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“One Team – One Dream”, The 3rd Annual Athlete Walkathon
Location: Horace Greeley High School Competition Fie, 70 Roaring Brook Rd, Chappaqua, NY 10514
Time: 11am-1pm
Link to Press Release

High School students from Horace Greeley have partnered with The Gardner Marks Foundation and The Making Headway Foundation to host “One Team – One Dream”, the 3rd Annual Athlete Walkathon, to support Pediatric/Adolescent cancer research and programs that assist these children and their families. The event, scheduled for November 6th, will raise awareness and funds for Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors affecting kids and young adults.  Currently, local students, athletes, and families are helping to make this event a success are working on getting representatives from every sports team in the High School as well as many other local sports groups and organizations to participate.  This grassroots event was created in memory of Gardner Marks (Greeley Class of ’08) who was an athlete at Greeley. Gardner lost his life due to complications from cancer.  The Greeley Sports Boosters is sponsoring the Walkathon and are helping to promote the cause.

Anyone who wants to help fight against Pediatric/Adolescent cancer is welcome to participate in the Walkathon.  The event is scheduled on November 6th, from 11am-1pm, at the Horace Greeley High School Competition Field. This year’s slogan, “One Team – One Dream” focuses on the power that individuals can have by working together as part of a universal team.  We would love to have you walk with us on the day of the event!

Pediatric/Adolescent cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among all kids in the United States.  Currently, there are almost 400,000 kids fighting cancer, with an estimated 16,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed each year.  Many years ago, the 5-year life expectancy after diagnosis was only 50% for kids with cancer.  However, thanks to large investments in cutting edge research and treatments, the rate of children who pass away due to a cancer diagnosis has been cut in half.  Many of these medical breakthroughs have come as a result of the direct investments by individuals and local charities.  Additionally, organizations like The Making Headway Foundation and The Gardner Marks Foundation are investing in quality-of-life programs that directly provide a holistic set of services to pediatric/adolescent cancer patients and their families.  The 3rd Annual “One Team, -One Dream” Horace Greeley Athlete Walkathon is a wonderful way that local families can participate in the fight against pediatric/adolescent cancer.

Proceeds from this event will be split evenly to support two local non-profit organizations. The Gardner Marks Foundation is devoted to raising money toward helping families in need of financial support, logistics, and mental health. Now in its 20th year of operation, The Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for kids with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared toward better treatments and a cure. 100% of donations will go directly to pediatric cancer research or services.  For more information or to donate visit www.greeleysportsboosters.org or https://mkghdwyf.ejoinme.org/Greeley2016.

Volunteerism and the National Day of Service

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GreenbaumsWith Martin Luther King, Jr. Day occurring on January 18, there is much talk about volunteerism and the National Day of Service. At Making Headway Foundation, we are lucky to have the best volunteers around. We are most grateful for those who tirelessly fundraise for us by helping with our annual Winter Show. Proceeds from this special event funds 40% of our annual budget and we could not be successful without the help of our patient families and friends.

This year, our show will once again be held at the New Victory Theater and it is called Untapped! It is an afternoon performance with an audacious Aussie dance troupe that combines funk, hip-hop, jazz and rock for a high-octane afternoon of tap.

Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 12:00 pm

The New Victory Theater
209 West 42nd Street
Between 7th and 8th Avenues
New York City
CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS

Contributions
Anyone who cannot attend the performance can still bring joy to those who need it most. Contributions will enable Making Headway to invite seriously ill children and their families to attend the performance free-of-charge.

Making Headway will use the proceeds from this event to fund diverse support services, projects and research.
CLICK HERE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Thank you to all of our volunteers who serve Making Headway Foundation year round!

New Year, New Resolve

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With a new year always comes new resolve and dedication.  2015 is no different. There are too many children that we lose around the holidays from the evil thing known as brain cancer. And yet, we are full of hope as we receive applications for research grants, reports of successes with new treatments and news of all of the hopeful futures that our children enjoy since they have beaten their own form of pediatric brain cancer.

So Making Headway Foundation starts the new year with renewed commitment to help and fight for better treatments and cures. In the meantime, we want to make life better for all of those who have been touched by childhood cancers. We look forward to having your support as we do our work…not work, really.  It’s a mission that we embrace with love and affection for all of those who cross our paths and enrich our lives by their courage.

In memory of our friend, Peter H.

All Work and No Pay?

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15 year old brain tumor survivor hosts fundraiser and gives back to the tune of $12,000!

Making Headway Foundation is lucky to have many volunteers. They are always ready to help when asked, and frequently offer to help when not asked. Take the case of grateful patient families who want to help our Foundation so that others can benefit from our services the way they have benefited.

Why do all this work for no pay?

Just take a look at the smiling faces of some of these recent volunteers and you can see why. Their lives are richer for having helped others. Pride and happiness are always very apparent at each of our events. All work and no pay makes volunteering a joy!

From a Parent’s Perspective

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Making Headway Foundation patient family member and long time volunteer, Peggy Fischer, wrote a beautiful article about her experience as a mother of a brain tumor patient.  Entitled, Hope in the Darkest Hour, and published in TheAlternativePress.com, her story is an inspiration to others.  We hope you will enjoy reading it.

http://thealternativepress.info/columns/advocating-for-children/articles/hope-in-the-darkest-hour

What is giving?

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Giving Tuesday Today

Today is #GivingTuesday

We all hear it.  Time and time again.  “What do I/you want for Christmas?”  What should I give?  Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday is today, GivingTuesday.  This is to remind us that it is better to give than receive and that there are always those who are less fortunate than we are.

At Making Headway Foundation, our wishes are for children who don’t need brain surgery, chemo, wheelchairs and feeding tubes.  That they can grow up and go to college, raise families and help others.  That’s what we want.  Will you help?

Your donation will be gratefully accepted at:  http://bit.ly/GivingTuesday2013

Thank you from our patients and their families.

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Tuesday December 3

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What is #GivingTuesday?

We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. This year help us create #GivingTuesday. A new day for giving back.  On Tuesday December 3, 2013, global charities, families, businesses, community centers, students and more will come together to create #GivingTuesday.

It’s a simple idea. Just find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to come together to give something more. Then tell everyone you can about how you are giving. Be a part of a national celebration of our great tradition of generosity.

Please remember Making Headway Foundation on December 3.  You may donate via our website at www.makingheadway.org

Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared toward better treatments and a cure.

@MakingHeadwayFd

Fall Fun and Fundraising with Making Headway Foundation

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2nd Annual Brian McCabe Drive For A Cure Monday, October 7, 2013

Split Rock/Pelham Bay Golf Course

REGISTER or DONATE

http://bit.ly/McCabe2013

MTK Tavern Fundraiser in Mount Kisco – Hosted by Dylan Witt and Margie Strelzyn-Witt Friday, October 11, 2013 8 pm – 12 am (Band starts at 8:30 pm)

DETAILS and RESERVATIONS http://bit.ly/MTKEvent

Mount Everest

CLIMBING EVEREST FOR MAKING HEADWAY October 31, 2013

In conjunction with the Claudio Reyna Foundation, Tom O’Connell will support the work of Making Headway by climbing to the base camp of Everest while getting support from friends and colleagues.

TO DONATE http://bit.ly/Everest2013