Cookin' for a Cure raises $100,000 and donates to support TGen research.
The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation raised $100,000 through its 2nd annual Cookin' for a Cure at Eddie's House, and has donated the funds to a research project led by Dr. Heather Cunliffe, head of TGen's Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Unit. The research will focus on a specific and difficult-to-treat type of cancer called primary Luminal B breast cancer - one of at least five major subtypes of breast cancer.
We feel confident that this project will enable Dr. Cunliffe and her team to determine the genetic variables that are driving this particular type of breast cancer, said Al Gula, Chairman of the Mountains of Hope Foundation. This research is especially important to patients with advanced breast cancer, who have fewer treatment options.
TGen's goal is to learn enough about the possible genomic causes of Luminal B breast cancer to initiate a clinical trial within 3-5 years. Luminal B tumors account for approximately 19 percent of the nearly 227,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer each year in the U.S.
We are entering a new era of evidence-based precision therapeutics for individual patients, Dr. Cunliffe said. The goal of a clinical trial based on this study would be to prevent disease recurrence in patients with early stage Luminal B breast cancer through the use of targeted treatments.
A major problem with this type of cancer is the tumor's resistance to conventional chemotherapy. While Luminal B tumors are fueled by estrogen, they are often not responsive to anti-estrogen drugs. The disease also has a high propensity for recurrence and often spreads to other organs in the body, which then make it very difficult to treat.
Luminal B tumors are composed of genetically distinct populations of tumor cells that are both estrogen receptor positive, and estrogen receptor negative. Researchers will test their hypothesis that the severity of genetic changes in one or both sub-populations contributes to treatment failure and poor outcome for Luminal B patients. This work will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Michael Barrett, head of TGen's Oncogenomics Laboratory.
At the conclusion of this study, we aim to have identified genetic abnormalities that are unique to the estrogen receptor positive and estrogen receptor negative clones within Luminal B cancers, said Dr. Cunliffe.
With this most recent gift, the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation has contributed a total of $470,000 towards Dr. Cunliffe's TGen research.
The Mountains of Hope Foundation, led by Al Gula, has brought incredible passion, commitment and energy to TGen's fight against the most aggressive breast cancers, said Michael Bassoff, President of the non-profit TGen Foundation. There is no question that women around the world will benefit from the research funded by their generous contributions.
Golf for a Cure - Results
For the second year in the event's four-year history, Golf for a Cure teed off at Shaker Heights Country Club in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Always unpredictable in the Cleveland area, the weather injected an hour rain delay in what would have been a perfect golf day weather-wise.
Weather notwithstanding, Shaker provided a picture-perfect backdrop for the golfers. A brand new Cadillac donated by Crestmont Cadillac was driven on the course as incentive for the golfer fortunate enough to score a hole-in-one on the designated hole. However, none of the golfers succeeded, and the luxury vehicle was returned to the Crestmont showroom unclaimed.
At the end of the day, returning golfers and other guests convened in the Shaker clubhouse to enjoy music by Rich Maurer and the tropical sound of "Shades of Steel" while looking over the various raffle and auction items assembled for both silent and live bidding.
The top two foursomes were recognized and applauded:
- First place – For the second year, Scott Mawaka of Fleet Resources, took first place with a score of 63. In his foursome were Tom Tonozzi, Mark Genger and Mark Wearsch.
- Second place – Newcomers to the outing, Kevin O'Brien of Artemis Wealth Partners, and his team - Joe Fragapane, Tom Grady and Jim Pokorny - placed second with a score of 66.
In addition, special proxy awards were given for individual hole events:
- Straightest Drive – Women #1 – Maura May
- Straightest Drive – Men #2 – Bill McFadden
- Closest to the Pin #4 – Men – Scott Strano
- Shortest Drive – Women #8 – Dawn Heidinger
- Long Drive in Fairway – Women #13 – Dawn Heidinger
- Closest to the Pin – Women #16 – Nancy Griffith
- Longest Drive in Fairway – Men #17 – Ray McNeice
The generosity of many vendors and individuals allowed us to offer 14 exciting gift packages for silent auction, ranging from golf packages from local courses, to an extravagant coffee basket, Night on the Town package, Build a Bar and Cocktail tubs, a carpet, a fur scarf, and several exclusive signed sports items, appealing to a variety of tastes.
This year, Cleveland Indians Vice President, Public Relations, Bob DiBiasio, served as Master of Ceremonies for the live auction, assisted by Dan Kilday of the Cleveland Indians marketing department. The live auction included eight autographed sports memorabilia, an IPad2 basket, private tour of the Cleveland Museum of Art and a weekend get-away package.
The last order of the day was to secure Shaker Heights Country Club for the 2012 Golf for a Cure outing, which will be held on June 14, 2012. Mark your calendars!
However, most important: Now that the results are tallied, we are pleased to announce that the Foundation will be donating $60,000 to the Miracle Fund at University Hospitals in support of advanced metastatic breast cancer research!! We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the event.
Our thanks must first go to Ned Hyland and the Miracle Fund at University Hospitals, who joined us in sponsoring the event, and to:
Our top-tier Presenting Sponsors:
- Cliffs Natural Resources
- Jacobs Investments, Inc.
Our Birdie Sponsors:
- Ned Hyland
- John and Ann O'Neill Powers Foundation
Our Luncheon Sponsor, The Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation
Our "Friend of the Foundation" Sponsors:
- Babcock & Wasserman Co LPA
- Allen J. "Chip" Corlett
- Metallic Resources
- Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co LPA
- Fleet Response
- Artemis Wealth Partners LLC
- Hahn, Loeser and Parks
- KeyBank NA
And to our many foursome and hole sponsors, individual golfers, auction and raffle item donors, and the friends who contributed through their presence and financial support.
Finally, a big thank you to the many volunteers who gave so many hours of their time to ensure the high quality and professionalism of the event: Event Chair, Tony Anselmo, Shannon Burke of University Hospitals, Annette Paul, Gina Fatica, Nate Taylor, Jackie Anselmo, Dolores Stansfield, Dan Kilday, Rose Mary Blessing, Barb Lazor, Pat Leonard, and Debbie Tylicki.
With gratitude,
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman & CEO
Cookin' for a Cure at Eddie's House - Final Results, $65K Raised for Advanced Breast Cancer Research
Golf for a Cure 2011- A Success!
This year's Golf for a Cure was very successful! Participants enjoyed a great golf tournament, enjoyed delicious food and the Shaker Heights Country Club course was in wonderful condition. Thanks to all who attended, including event Chair and Co-Chair Tony Anselmo and Annette Paul who, along with volunteer staff, helped the event to be a hit.
Photos from the event and the fundraising results will be available soon!
SAVE THE DATE! This event sold out FAST! So be sure next year to sign up early. Mark Thursday, June 14, 2012 on your calendar for the next Golf for a Cure event.
Many thanks to our sponsors for helping us make this event possible!
Event Sponsors
JACOBS INVESTMENTS
Birdie Sponsors
John K & Alice O'Neill Powers Foundation
Ned Hyland - Todd Associates
Luncheon Sponsor
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Friends of the Foundation Sponsors
Artemis Wealth Partners
Babcock & Wasserman Co. LPA
Chip Corlett & Pam Demuth - Metals, Inc.
KeyBank N.A.
Miceli Dairy Products
Scott Mawaka - Fleet Response
William & Nancy Griffith Metallic Resources
Hole Sponsors
EnviroServe
Lachina Publishing Services
Mary L. Synk
Motorcars
Victor V. Anselmo, Esq.
Special Recognition
Allyn Pytel
Bill & Ann Barry
Crestmont Cadillac
Dan Kilday
Dave Zupan - Visium Resources
Deb Periotti
Jackie Leavenworth Seminars
Jerry Porath
Rose Mary Blessing
Golf for a Cure - Final Results, $60K Raised for Advanced Breast Cancer Research
For the first year in the event’s three-year history, Golf for a Cure was blessed with what weather forecasters called “a perfect day.” Though overcast in the morning, by tee time at 1:00 pm the day was sunny and pleasant with temperatures in the high 70’s. No rain in sight!
California event Fight for a Cure raises $25,000 for advanced breast cancer research . . .
Kincaid’s in Burlingame provided the spectacular venue for the first Foundation fund-raiser in California, Fight for a Cure, on Sunday, October 4. With its panoramic windows overlooking San Francisco Bay, Kincaid’s welcomed Foundation supporters to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month with a sumptuous lunch and silent auction.
Golf for a Cure – Our most successful golf event yet!
This year's Golf for a Cure was a great success! Participants had a terrific time, enjoyed great weather, tasty food and the Shaker Heights Country Club course was in perfect condition. Thanks to all who attended, including event Chair and Co-Chair Tony Anselmo and Annette Paul who, along with volunteer staff, made this our most successful golf event to date.
Photos from the event and the fundraising results will be available soon!
SAVE THE DATE! This event sold out FAST! So be sure next year to sign up early. Mark Thursday, June 16, 2011 on your calendar for the next Golf for a Cure event, hosted at Shaker Heights Country Club.
2009 “Walk for Hope” at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
August 15, 2009 was a beautiful summer morning at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. By 8:00 am the Mountains of Hope Foundation banner was hung to welcome more than 350 participants of all ages. Families came together representing three generations - . grandparents, parents and children – who turned out that morning to support advanced breast cancer research and the Ireland Cancer Center, beneficiary of the Foundation’s 2009 Zoo Walk for Hope.
Sight, Sound & Taste for a Cure benefits TGen . . .
LMC Home Entertainment Ltd. (www.lmche.com) opened its doors on October, 23 with a gala grand opening/fundraiser in partnership with the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation.
