Norma with sister Geralyn
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Keeping Logan's Promise
Welcome to the June 2007 issue of Logan's Promise. The thematic content of our newsletter will always be organized around our core operating principles, organizational accountability and transparency.
The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation is our belief that every breast cancer patient deserves life-saving and life-enhancing treatment options. We can best promote that belief through our promise: 100% of every donated dollar is directed to research (our administrative costs are either sponsor-supported or volunteer provided) and that the late women who inspired it, Terri Brodeur and Norma Logan, should have had better tools to fight the disease. We are deeply committed to them, the women they represent in the community and the scientific pursuit of medicines and techniques that mitigate cancer treatment and promote disease eradication. We are proud to say that in our inaugural year we generated enough funds to award three breast cancer researchers grants totaling $300,000.
Featured in this issue is a summary of an independent audit of our 2006 financial records. The Foundation's Treasurer, Stacey Gualtieri, CPA, assesses the audit and provides a glimpse into our financial direction for the coming year, including her work with Scientific Advisory Committee Chair, Dr. Nick Saccomano, to evaluate a potential mid-year grant to a fourth breast cancer researcher whose work holds promising therapeutic potential. Stacey also provides an update on other foundation-relevant financial data.
We also feature, in this June issue, an invitation to our readers to join us on our 2007 Walk across Southeastern Connecticut. Becky Lillie, Foundation Marketing Director, brings us up-to-date on our signature fundraising event including news about the annual walker training kick-off event, the June 24, 2007 TBBCF Band Bash at Stash's Café in New London. One of Becky's goals this year is to make the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation a household name. One of the ways we plan to achieve that goal is to host walker recruitment booths at local events throughout the summer. Our first recruitment event of the 2007season was the May 25, 2007 Old Saybrook High School Cancer Walk.
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Put on your walking shoes!
Registration is open for the 2007 Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut
(Becky Lillie)
Register online at: www.terribrodeurbreastcancerfoundation.org.
The 26.2-mile walk is scheduled for October 6th beginning in Old Saybrook, CT and ending at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, CT.
Come for the scenery! The shoreline and ocean views along the walk route are incredible. Come for the camaraderie! The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer crew is outstanding and our route-lining, adoring (and adorable) fans are an aching foot's best friends. Come for the fun and memories!
But don't come because we said so, instead, listen to last year's participants:
- "Next to the birth of my two sons, completing the October 14 (2006) marathon was about the best thing I ever did. It was exhilarating, spiritual, powerful, and proof that you can push yourself to do things you never imagined possible." Ann Baldelli, Stonington
- "I'm sure all the walkers feel like me when I say the marathon was a life-changing experience." Wally Stone, Waterford
- "Saturday, Oct. 14, (2006) is a day I won't ever forget. As a participant of the inaugural Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut, I can't say enough about all those who were a part of making the walk an experience of a lifetime." Krishna Wall, Waterford
- "I encourage women and men of all walking skills to participate in this worthwhile cause and have a wonderful experience along the way." Deborah Mandel, Lyme
- "Lots of people cheered us on along the route, including Boy Scout troops and Little League players who offered snacks to us. Their encouragement and support all made our walk so much easier and I understand that all 137 walkers, younger and older, finished it." Jerry Guindon, East Lyme
100% of all proceeds go directly to breast cancer research. Bring a life, save a life; you won't forget it.
The walk is open to walkers at all levels of physical training. We provide optional training, as well as, fundraising strategy and orientation sessions. It is a great way to get or stay in shape, meet new people and help in the fight against breast cancer.
Training will officially kick off, not with walking but dancing, on June 24th with the annual TBBCF Band Bash at Stash's Café in New London, CT from 1:30-7:00. Four bands will be featured:
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Fat Betty |
| 1:30 - 2:30pm |
| Rivergods |
| 3:00 - 4:00pm |
| Johnny and the Eastcoast Rockers |
| 4:30 - 5:30pm |
| High Times |
| 6:00 - 7:00pm |
Free food and raffle prizes will be available. Tickets are $15.00 and can be bought at the door or in advance. It is a fun day of music, dancing and celebration.
We are proud to say that Andrea Oliver, MD, Surgical Oncologist at Dana Farber in Boston, is one of our inaugural grant recipients. Here is how she describes her decision to pursue not only surgical oncology but also breast cancer research:
Breast Cancer patients had all of the complexity of other oncology patients except that they could go home. It was the one place where there was real hope. One could have real impact and add years to the life of, not just months, one's patients. And in the midst of this realization came the news of my Aunt's [breast] cancer diagnosis. I had already planned to go back to the [laboratory] bench to do basic research in surgical oncology, but was not sure what question would be fulfilling enough to keep my attention. Her struggle brought my decision into pinpoint focus. I cannot do anything that I do not believe in. Life is too short to be wasted. Every aspect must be lived to the fullest. Before, I asked other people's questions about their passions. Now I ask my own questions, which have been burned into my life. I would love to say that it is altruistic, but it is not. It is the greedy, selfish need to find the answer. It is the hatred of the idea that another woman or man helplessly suffers because we just don't know how to help them. Or worse, we never tried to find a way.
Help us find a way.
Norma Logan, our founder, kept a notebook of quotes. Among them was this, by Gandhi: "If I have the belief I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have had it in the beginning." You too can make a difference. Your efforts will have a significant impact on the fight against breast cancer. Join us in the Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut. It is a life changing experience in walking shoes.
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Old Saybrook High School Cancer Walk Kick-off
(Sandy Maniscalco)
The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) launched its 2007 Walker Recruitment and Foundation Awareness Campaign at the sixth annual Old Saybrook High School Cancer Walk. The TBBCF will be present at events scheduled throughout the summer across Southeastern Connecticut. Our objective is to publicize the TBBCF October 6, 2007 walking marathon (Walk across Southeastern Connecticut), enhance awareness of the Foundation and add to our volunteer base.
We believe that every breast cancer patient deserves life-saving and life-enhancing treatment options and we promote that belief through our promise: 100% of every donated dollar is directed to research. To that end, our administrative costs are either sponsor-supported or volunteer provided. While relying on revenues from our signature fundraising event, the walking marathon, we also need the support of businesses and individuals throughout the region to help us keep our promise.
Look for our tent, staffed by the engaging and knowledgeable TBBCF Foundation Leaders and Board of Directors, at the following local summer events:
Schedule:
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Event |
| Date |
| TBBCF Representative |
| Westerly River Walk |
| July-August |
| Stacey Haskell |
| Old Lyme Farmers Market |
| July-August |
| Barb O'Connell/Mary Miett |
| Lobster Fest - Niantic |
| July 7-8 |
| Lisa Bragaw/Becky Lillie |
| New London Sail Fest |
| July 7-9 |
| Tara Tunucci |
| Mystic Village Events |
| July or August |
| Sandy Maniscalco |
| Antique Boat Show |
| July 28-29 |
| Susan Raffetto |
| East Lyme Days |
| July 21 |
| Lisa Bragaw/Becky Lillie/Amanda Borne |
| Old Saybrook Arts Festival |
| July 28-29 |
| Allison Barnes |
| Cookin' at McCooks |
| July 31 |
| Irene Corsino |
| Mystic Arts Festival |
| August 11-12 |
| Sandy Maniscalco/Marcie Brensilver |
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer, visit our web site at www.terribrodeurbreastcancerfoundation.org.
TBBCF Foundation Leaders Irene Corsino, Barb O'Connell, Sandy Maniscalco, Allison Barnes, Eileen Nichols and Becky Lillie were on hand to staff the TBBCF booth at the May 25 Cancer Walk. (Missing from the photo is Ellen Swercewski.)
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The May 25th Old Saybrook charity walk, in memory of Dorothy DiSarro and Deb Seymour, began at 6:00 p.m. on the high school track. Teams of walkers raised money by continuously walking the track from Friday evening to 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Old Saybrook High School Principal Scott Schoonmaker and Walk Co-Chairs, Lizah and Jack Gallagher, hosted a brief opening ceremony that honored members of the community lost to cancer, those families affected by the disease and unselfish volunteers who lead community actions to support cancer research. Tim Brodeur, Terri Brodeur's husband and Foundation Board Director, and TBBCF President Sandy Maniscalco spoke during this year's opening ceremony.
Old Saybrook high school seniors have led the all-night, cancer fund-raiser since 2001. As well as managing the complex logistics associated with running such an event, these students provide the leadership that has powered the event for the past six years. The Old Saybrook charity walk has had a powerful effect on the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation.
Three years ago, Terri Brodeur was the Cancer Walk's keynote speaker. Terri, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, stood at the podium and told her Old Saybrook neighbors the story of her battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her speech was filled with faith and hope. Those who heard Terri speak remember her courage as a continuation of her love for the Old Saybrook community, and her desire, by standing together, to help find and fund effective cancer treatment options.
TBBCF President Sandy Maniscalco was the 2006 keynote speaker for the Old Saybrook charity walk. Sandy described how and why the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation was founded, how it is distinguished from other non-profit organizations. Sandy offered a speech of sadness and promise. Sadness in recounting the losses of our name sake, Terri Brodeur, in October 2005 and our founder, Norma Logan, six months later in April 2006 - and the TBBCF promise that 100% of all fund raiser donations would be translated into grants to breast cancer researchers seeking innovative medical therapies to prolong life and eradicate the disease.
After the 2006 Walk, event Co-Chairs, Jess Davis and Logan Forsey presented TBBCF with a check for $4,000. Other 2006 walk proceeds were distributed to Old Saybrook families who have been adversely affected by various cancers. The Foundation volunteers kept their promise. In January 2006, TBBCF announced it had generated enough funds in the first year to provide three breast cancer researchers grants totaling $300,000.
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Congratulations to TBBCF 2006 Fundraising Season
(Stacey Gualtieri)
Kostin, Ruffkess & Company, LLC, an independent auditor, completed a financial audit of the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) in early April of this year. The audit validated our business model, and promise, to allocate 100% of gross fundraising revenues to scientists selected by the TBBCF Scientific Advisory Committee. To best demonstrate our pledge to disburse 100% of gross fundraising dollars to research, I have structured the audited financial data into three segments: fundraising, sponsorships, and donated goods and services. You will see, based on the financial data, our financial success in 2006. This is a significant milestone, considering the short 2006 fundraising season, that marks the advent of a great future. Congratulations and thank you to all who have, and continue, to make this endeavor a life-enhancing success.
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Fundraising: |
| |
| Donations |
| $33,665 |
| Band bash |
| 7,730 |
| One magical night |
| 22,635 |
| Walk across Southeastern Connecticut |
| 222,688 |
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| Total fundraising |
| $286,718 |
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| Amount committed to research |
| $300,000 |
Note: The TBBCF Board of Directors committed $300,000 to research grants based on the foundation's financial projections that an additional $13,282 would be raised early in 2007. I am happy to report that the Foundation, through the support strength of our donor base, collected the additional funds necessary to meet our $300,000 obligation by February 1st 2007.
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Sponsorships: |
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| Operations |
| $21,065 |
| Events |
| 36,000 |
| |
| |
| Total sponsorships |
| $57,065 |
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| |
| Operating expenses |
| $6,037 |
| Event costs |
| 24,394 |
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| Balance |
| $26,634 |
Note: The balance of $26,634 will be used to fund the 2007 Walk across Southeastern Connecticut.
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Donated Goods and Services: |
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| Web-site design and operation |
| $20,200 |
| Web-site management |
| 9,900 |
| Goods and services provided for the 2006 Walk across Southeastern Connecticut |
| 9,660 |
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| Total donated goods and services |
| $39,760 |
The Foundation's success was due to the many companies and individuals who stepped forward to eagerly give of their time, products and expertise. The donations listed above are only a small amount of the total volunteer hours spent on behalf of the TBBCF. Generally accepted accounting standards limit the recording of donated goods and services to specialized labor and specific goods (I will not bore you with the details). Our foundation leaders, volunteers and corporate sponsors delivered both money and hope to breast cancer patients, affected families and the scientists who work on their behalf to fulfill our ambition of creating life-enhancing medicines and eradicating breast cancer.
Stacey L. Gualtieri, CPA
Treasurer
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