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Posted Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Allen J. Gula, Jr. - Foundation Chairman
| The results are in, and we are pleased to announce the Castle for a Cure exceeded our expectations!
“Castle for a Cure” is a fusion of two goals set by Camille Sullivan. While pondering a creative way to showcase her fabulous listing, 41 Biltmore Estates (the “castle”), and wanting to help the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation which funds advanced breast cancer research (the “cure”), the concept was born.
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The event was held at a property fit for a king, with over 18,000 square feet of fine craftsmanship, including nine bedrooms, 13 baths, wood-paneled library, wine cellar and tasting room, 5-screen movie theatre, elevator, and a gourmet kitchen boasting a pizza oven and two fully-equipped prep kitchens plus chef’s office. There are three outdoor fireplaces on the extensive patios, centered with an all-tiled heated pool, spa and fountain. The “castle” Is situated on a private acre lot backing to the world-famous Adobe Golf Course, offering incredible fairway and mountain views. This spectacular gated estate, complete with pavered auto court leading to four air-conditioned garages, can now be purchased for $11,500,000. For more information, contact Camille Sullivan at camillersullivan@cox.net. |
A core group of seven committee members, led by Kelly Hundelt, volunteer co-chair, and Douglas Hudson, director of development for the Foundation, enthusiastically embraced the challenge of successfully planning the Foundation’s first fund-raiser to be held 78 days later on March 22 nd. Camille, Douglas, Kelly, the volunteers, their family and friends, did an outstanding job securing sponsors, hospitality vendors, entertainment, silent auction and raffle items. On the day of the event we had 120 auction/raffle items contributed by many generous donors. |
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Auction items ranged from an Arabian horse to gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants, exquisite jewelry, unusual wine, vacation packages, entertainment packages, and an array of unusual artwork and gift baskets. A live auction was conducted by a special guest.
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Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County Arizona is well known as “ America’s Toughest Sheriff”, a name given to him by the media years ago. It’s a name he’s lived up to.
One of the programs Sheriff Joe is well known for is the pink under shorts he makes all inmates wear. Years ago, when the Sheriff learned that inmates were stealing jailhouse white boxers, Arpaio had all inmate underwear dyed pink for better inventory control. Phoenix’s own “Sheriff Joe” offered and sold five pair of the famed pink boxers autographed by Joe himself. |
Almost three hundred guests visited the Castle for a Cure. The event raised $100,000+ for the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation. In turn, the Foundation will match this amount and write a check for $200,000 to TGen (www.tgen.org), the beneficiary of the event, for advanced breast cancer research. Michael Bassoff, President, TGen Foundation (www.tgenfoundation.org ), Dr. Heather Cunliffe, who leads the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Unit at TGen, and a number of researchers and staff joined us for the day. We will publish updates on the progress of their research in upcoming blogs on this site.
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We are proud of the results, and our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, vendors, donors, volunteers, and those who joined us at Castle for a Cure.
The Foundation’s next event is a GOLF OUTING in Cleveland, Ohio on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Look for details to be posted here very shortly.
Again, my sincere thanks to our supporters and friends,
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman
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Posted Sunday, March 23rd, 2008
Allen J. Gula, Jr. - Foundation Chairman
The Castle for a Cure was the first major fund-raiser for the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation (www.mountainsofhopefoundation.org) – held on Saturday, March 22nd in Phoenix, Arizona.
Although the results are not yet final, the event will enable the Foundation to make a substantial gift to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen – www.tgen.org). who is the recipient of funding supporting advanced breast cancer research from the event.
Castle for a Cure would not have been possible without the dedication, commitment and enthusiastic support of Camille Sullivan (who developed the concept), the committee members, our sponsors and friends. In particular I would like to thank Kelly Hundelt, volunteer co-chair, and Douglas Hudson, Development Director of Mountains of Hope for their tireless efforts.
The event showcased some of Phoenix’s fabulous local talent and included a visit from Sheriff Joe, who was entertaining, as always. Food and beverage partners were among the finest and most popular in the Valley. Spectacular floral pieces and state-of-the art sound systems were provided by two of our event sponsors. Scott and Melissa Coles graciously offered use of their property – the “Castle” at 41 Biltmore Estates – to serve as the venue for this worthwhile fund-raiser.
My heartfelt thanks, too, to those who joined us at the event, participated in the silent auction and raffle, and shared the day’s festivities, as well as those who were unable to attend but supported us with their financial gifts.
Please visit us again soon to see pictures from the event as well as the financial results, which will be posted as soon as they are available.
Thanks again for the outpouring of support for this most worthwhile cause.
With sincere gratitude,
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman
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Posted Sunday, Feburary 28th, 2008
Allen J. Gula, Jr. - Foundation Chairman
We are very excited about the first major fund-raiser for the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, March 22.
With the gracious support of the homeowner, this fund-raising endeavor will be held at one of the Valley’s largest and most impressive properties at 41 Biltmore Estates Drive.
“Castle for a Cure” (www.castleforacure.com) offers exquisite food, exciting auction and raffle items, and outstanding musical celebrities, such as local jazz icon George Hamilton, his daughter Courtney Hamilton, The Cindy Marshall Band, and other special musical guest appearances. The goal is to raise a projected $100,000+ for the Foundation.
The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation (www.mountainsofhopefoundation.org) is dedicated to providing "hope" to women suffering with advanced breast cancer, and every dollar donated is applied directly to fulfill their mission. The Foundation funds highly regarded researchers who study advanced stages of breast cancer, with the hope of making inroads to improve the detection, treatment and management of this deadly disease.
The Mountains of Hope Foundation has named The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen - www.tgen.org) as the recipient of funding supporting advanced breast cancer research from the event. TGen is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on developing earlier diagnostics and smarter treatments. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project and applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases.
The event promises to be fun-filled and allows participants to tour a first-class property which is currently listed for sale by Camille Sullivan ( www.camillesullivan.com - of Realty Executives), meet local talent and celebrities, enjoy great food, beverage and entertainment, and – most importantly – make an important contribution to breast cancer research.
I’m excited and hope you will be able to share the day with us on Saturday, March 22, from 2 to 6 pm.
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman
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Posted Sunday, December 16th, 2007
Allen J. Gula, Jr. - Foundation Chairman
The Foundation has developed and grown during 2007. One of the greatest strides forward was the creation of this website: www.mountainsofhopefoundation.org. A large debt of gratitude is owed to some very talented, dedicated individuals who have volunteered their time to make the website a reality.
In fact, we owe thanks to so many who have helped the Foundation develop and grow this year - however, too many to name individually. Whether by sharing the website with other family and friends, publicizing the Foundation, working on fund-raising events, or contributing financially - the outpouring of support has been touching and overwhelming.
Many people have been creative in their fund-raising efforts. One example is Fancy Feet Grooming in San Carlos, California (Ernie's groomers). During the month of October, owner Jennifer Powell and her team of groomers raised $1,650 by setting up a donation jar and poster-size picture of Lynn Gula and customer Ernie, Lynn's four-legged "best buddy", in the reception area of the grooming salon. I am grateful and touched by the creativity and generous support by so many.
We look forward to continuing our growth in 2008 and beyond. The Foundation is working with world-class research oncologists and will be funding some important projects next year. We will have a number of fund-raisers in various areas of the country, which will be posted on the website. As we solidify the details we will share them with our supporters.
My deepest appreciation for supporting our mission: Believing all women with advanced breast cancer deserve a fighting chance.
Thank you again, to everyone who has touched us with their generosity and friendship. Best wishes for a peaceful, joyous holiday season.
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman
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Posted Monday, October 1, 2007
Allen J. Gula, Jr. - Foundation Chairman
It was nearly 15 months ago; on July 26, 2006 my beloved wife Lynn (Marilyn Barry Gula, for whom the Mountains of Hope Foundation is named) lost her 10+ year battle with breast cancer. She died just a little less than a month shy of her 51st birthday.
During her lifetime, Lynn deeply touched so many people with her huge capacity of caring for others. Once diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, her interest in improving the quality of life for cancer patients developed into a passion for eliminating the disease. In 2003, after volunteering for several years helping other cancer patients and their families, Lynn founded the Mountains of Hope Foundation. This organization designed from her own self—empowerment in which to channel her passion into funding advanced research projects focused on breast cancer diagnosis and treatment — WITH THE BELIEF THAT ALL WOMEN WITH ADVANCED BREAST CANCER DESERVE A FIGHTING CHANCE.
Many of Lynn's and my close friends and family have volunteered and contributed financially to ensure the ongoing success of the Foundation's mission. The importance of Lynn's vision of this Foundation is clearly critical to the advancement of prevention research. Lynn's struggle ended just 15 months ago, and since that day, the number of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States is estimated to be around 223,000. More than 50,000 women have passed away from breast cancer over those 15 months — OR 110 WOMEN PER DAY.
One our most achievable goals is to focus research funding on advanced stages of breast cancer. Several medical research institutions in the United States currently have progressive approaches to early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. As ONE IN EIGHT women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at one point in their life, more funding is needed to continue to improve and develop additional diagnostic measures, tools, and clinical studies. The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation was created do just this: to fund specific research projects focused on the diagnosis and treatment of advanced stages of breast cancer and to improve early diagnostic tools to decrease the occurrence/recurrence of malignant tumors.
One of the unique characteristics of this Foundation is that all operational costs are paid for by our family. Every dollar donated to Mountains of Hope is applied directly to funding diagnostic and treatment research for advanced breast cancer.
During Breast Cancer Awareness month — October 2007 — there are many ways in which we can join forces to advance the mission of the Foundation. As a close friend or family member of ours, a friend of the Foundation, or someone affected by breast cancer, your caring and active involvement will make a difference. When we as individuals become part of a collective, our contributions become huge with incredible potential and power to heal.
I would encourage you not only to consider a donation, but to invite your family and friends to visit the website (www.mountainsofhopefoundation.org) and consider a donation as well, particularly during Breast Cancer Awareness month. We have strengthened our mission and have made some enhancements and additions to the site. We welcome any feedback, and would appreciate hearing from you — with an email to: agula@mountainsofhopefoundation.org.
Thank you for your continued support of the Foundation through your generosity, your compassion, and for your concern and action to promote women's healthcare. Let us remember and pray for the 110 women a day who die from advanced breast cancer and the hundreds of thousands who so desperately need hope — particularly during this month of October. WE BELIEVE ALL WOMEN WITH ADVANCED BREAST CANCER DESERVE A FIGHTING CHANCE.
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman
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