Ann Regula Gorkoski
On December 1, 2010, Marilyn's dear friend Ann lost her 7+ year battle with cancer. Ann and Lynn were best friends at Marymount High School; Lynn was Ann's maid of honor when she got married and the friendship continued throughout their short lives.
When Ann was initially diagnosed with kidney cancer, she faced the news with a tough exterior and quiet resolve that would become the hallmark of how to live with an insidious disease. If you didn't know she had cancer, you would never guess that she had it. By embracing a positive spirit Ann was able to see her children through high school and college, ensuring that she passed along her strength and determination to her beloved children, Pat and Katie.
In her last year of life, Ann knew tragedy and pain, with her husband Kevin passing away on July 20, 2010. Soon after, Ann's doctors revealed her cancer had metastasized to virtually every area of her now petite and weakened frame. While others would have turned inward or given up, Ann chose to press on with courage, revealing a kind of fortitude and grace that will long remain a source of inspiration for everyone who's lives she touched.
- Jan (Ann's sister)
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Dear Friends of the Foundation:
As we reflect on 2010, it has been a year of quiet growth for the Foundation. Despite the tough economic climate, the Foundation has been able to make significant contributions to advanced breast cancer research.
The third annual Golf for a Cure outing moved to Shaker Country Club in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, where we partnered with the Miracle Fund of University Hospitals to broaden the scope of the outing. The event sold out in advance of the June 17th date, and netted $60,000, which was in turn invested in the Miracle Fund at Ireland Cancer Center (at University Hospitals). This was the most successful Golf for a Cure to date, and we look forward to even more success in 2011 when once again we will host the event at Shaker Country Club on Thursday, June 18.
During October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, two friends of the Foundation, Eddie’s House (restaurant) and Hava Java (coffee shop) in Phoenix sponsored promotions to benefit the Foundation. Eddie Matney, executive chef and owner of Eddie’s House, offered both a luncheon and dinner entrée at his popular restaurant, the proceeds from which were donated in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Likewise, Hava Java customers contributed during October as part of their fund-raising promotion. Our heartfelt thanks to Eddie's House restaurant and Hava Java for their friendship and support.
Finally, thanks to all our friends, donors, sponsors, volunteers, research partners, and others in the Mountains of Hope circle of supporters who continue to make the Foundation stronger. As you consider your year-end tax planning, please remember that every dollar donated to the Foundation is a dollar directly invested in advanced breast cancer research with world-class scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, TGen Foundation in Phoenix, and the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Donations can be made online through our website, www.MountainsOfHopeFoundation.org, or by mail to: P.O. Box 80500, Phoenix, AZ 85060-0500. Your gifts to the Foundation are fully tax deductible.
Our sincere wishes for peace and joy this holiday season – and for good health and prosperity in the New Year.
Happy Holidays!
Al
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman & CEO
A Year-End Message . . .
As we reflect on 2009 in relation to the Foundation, it has been a year of growth and expansion. Despite the tough economic climate, the Foundation has been able to make significant contributions to advanced breast cancer research.
It has been a challenging year, but with the dedication of a terrific team of volunteers we have held four successful fund-raisers – three of them “first-time events”.
The year began sluggishly for the Foundation, but jump-started on June 17 with the second annual Golf for a Cure golf outing in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. Chaired by Tony Anselmo and Annette Paul, the event raised $32,000 for the beneficiary organization, the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals in Cleveland.
Continuing the momentum in Cleveland, the first Zoo Walk for Hope was held at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in August 15. A first-time event for the Foundation, more than 350 participants in signature purple tee shirts joined in the 5K walk, led by Cleveland Indians mascot “Slider”. Chaired by Annette Paul and Kathryn Kuhnle, this event generated another $16,000 for the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Foundation sponsored events in two cities. On October 4, Kincaid’s in Burlingame, CA was the site of the first Fight for a Cure brunch chaired by Lyle Sweeney and Dolores Stansfield. Kincaid’s provided a gorgeous setting overlooking San Francisco Bay where more than 150 guests enjoyed pink mimosas, a lavish brunch, and a unique silent auction. Featured guest speaker was Dr. Hope Rugo of UCSF Breast Cancer Center, whose research team was the beneficiary organization. The event raised $25,000 for the UCSF Carol S. Buck Breast Cancer Center.
Finally, on October 23, Sight, Sound, and Taste for a Cure – a unique event combining the grand opening of LMC Home Entertainment’s spectacular new showroom in Scottsdale, AZ with the Foundation’s fourth fund-raiser of the year. The event featured a menu of specialties prepared by Eddie Matney, one of the Valley’s top chefs and owner of Eddie’s House restaurant in Scottsdale; beverages including wines from Su Vino Winery and pink martinis from Belvedere Vodka, cigars from Ambassador Fine Cigars; some terrific auction items; and special guests, baseball legend, Joe Garagiola, and his wife Audrie. Kelly Hundelt and I chaired the event which raised $30,000 to benefit the TGen Foundation in Phoenix.
This year we developed new partnerships – with both the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals in Cleveland, and the Diana Hyland Miracle Fund, an organization in Cleveland with the same goal as the Foundation: to fight advanced breast cancer through specific research. The Foundation made a $50,000 donation in support of advanced breast cancer research to the Ireland Cancer Center in November. We hope to grow and develop this partnership further in 2010. We have now made donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, UCSF in San Francisco, TGen in Phoenix, and University Hospitals in Cleveland. You may track the progress of the various projects we’re supporting on our website.
At this time I feel compelled to comment on the government’s recommendation for self-exams and mammograms for women. From my own experience during my wife’s 10½-year ordeal monthly self exams and mammograms are essential in the early detection of breast cancer. It is a terrible mistake not to do monthly self exams and schedule annual mammograms – and no age is too early. This is how my wife detected her first lump, which was cancerous, and each recurrence thereafter. A lump can be detected through self-exam faster than any other means. In cases where lumps are not discovered through self-exams, annual mammograms are still the best course of catching the disease early. In my opinion it is irresponsible for the government to come out minimizing the importance of these two detection methods. The notion of “false positives” can be upsetting, but it’s a small price to pay.
Some additional features on our website we hope you will find useful:
- You can register on our home page to receive a monthly reminder by email to do a self-exam.
- Also on our website you can access daily news updates on breast cancer advances, research, etc.
- Finally, we have some great gift ideas for your last-minute shopping needs on our site. Click here to SHOP!
Finally, THANK YOU to our friends, donors, sponsors, volunteers, research partners, and others in the Mountains of Hope circle of supporters who continue to make the Foundation stronger. As you consider your year-end tax planning, please remember that every dollar donated to the Foundation is a dollar directly invested in advanced breast cancer research with world-class scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, UCSF Breast Cancer Center in San Francisco, TGen Foundation in Phoenix, and the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals in Cleveland. Your gifts to the Foundation are fully tax deductible.
Our sincere wishes for peace and joy this holiday season – and for good health and prosperity in the New Year.
Happy Holidays!
Al
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman & CEO
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.
Sight, Sound & Taste for a Cure was held in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness and funding for advanced breast cancer research. The venue was LMC Home Entertainment Ltd.’s state-of-the-art, world-class showroom in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The event attracted more than 200 guests who mingled throughout the various theaters and media rooms while dining on culinary delights prepared by Chef Eddie Matney, celebrated Valley chef and owner of Eddie’s House restaurant. It was a festive atmosphere, featuring pink martinis from Belvedere Vodka, fine wines from Su Vino Winery, and premier cigars from Ambassador Fine Cigars. White House Design Studio provided the flowers.
Special guests for the evening were Joe Garagiola, legendary baseball player, and his wife, Audrie. Joe graciously posed for pictures and signed copies of baseballs and his book Just Play Ball, with proceeds donated to the Foundation.
The silent auction offered premium and unusual items, including a 65” plasma TV and McIntosh stereo amplifier donated by LMC Home Entertainment Ltd.; a custom men’s shirt package from Moda Georgio Custom Tailors; a humidor and cigar package from Ambassador Fine Cigars; Anquan Boldin autographed pink gloves from Cutters Performance Gloves and Grips; single-game use of a Phoenix Suns luxury suite for 18; a Barrett-Jackson VIP package; a Molina Fine Jewelers signature timepiece; autographed baseballs and books from Joe Garagiola; complete auto detail package from European Detail Specialists; Kids’ Security Package provided by the Arizona Diamondbacks; gift certificate from White House Design Studio; a picture by Jeanne Bonine; several necklaces designed by local artists; salon and spa packages from Leiden Mitchell Salon and Spa, Rachel Hall’s Classic Beauty and A Perfect Sole; an original painting by Kimberly Levi; hand-painted scarf by Gina Richmann; one-year Scottsdale Gun Club membership; autographed items by Grant Hill, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays and Dusty Baker.
The event, the first of its kind for LMC Home Entertainment Ltd. and for Mountains of Hope, would not have been possible without the support and sponsorship of Greg and Kathy Hunt of GM Hunt Construction, Mike Ware, co-owner of LMC Home Entertainment Ltd., Chef Eddie Matney, chef extraordinaire and owner of Eddie’s House, Cory and Christine Whalin and Matthew and Maureen Corey of Su Vino Winery, and Maria Lamberti of Belvedere Vodka. A special thank you to Kelly Hundelt, Foundation co-chair, who worked tirelessly to ensure the evening’s success. In addition to Kelly, I want to thank her team of volunteers:
Dense Deihl
Gary Hundelt
Oliver Hundelt
Betty Kielty
Bob Kielty
Liz Kielty
Leslie Kohler
Edna Lake
Jim Lake
Erin Massey of TGen Foundation
Annette Paul
Laura Prince
Christine Ridgeway
Camille Sullivan
Kathy Tatum
Connie Waddell
Joe Zabramski
Verna Zabramski
The joint efforts of everyone involved resulted in the Foundation’s raising $30,000, which will be invested in an advanced breast cancer research project at TGen (www.tgen.org). Further details will be reported on this site in the upcoming months.
On a final note, LMC Home Entertainment Ltd. has generously committed to donating 5% of gross sales by attendees until the end 2009 to the Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation. Proceeds from those sales will also be invested with TGen.
Once again, on behalf of the Foundation, my sincere thanks to those who were part of this event, and those who continue to support the Foundation’s fight against advanced breast cancer.
With gratitude,
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman and CEO
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.
The pavilion was alive with music provided by John Pojman of Rolling Thunder Productions. Songs such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” added an appropriate touch. After a few heartfelt words of welcome by Al Gula, Jr., Foundation Chairman, the 5K walk got underway led by the big, pink, fuzzy creature, Cleveland Indians’ mascot, Slider, a friend to both the Foundation and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Slider led the walkers along a path roughly 3.1 miles – past the many scenic attractions the Zoo has to offer: primates, big cats, the Rainforest, giraffes, dinosaurs, and so many others.
Most of the participants had donned their Walk tee shirts – the Foundation’s signature dark purple with white logo and the many event sponsors parading down the back. There was a sea of purple that day at the Zoo as families stayed on after the walk and enjoyed a day with the animals.
Our heartfelt thanks to each of the participants for their support, to those who made donations but were unable to be with us, to the doctors and staff of University Hospitals, and to our sponsors:
Betty Bowers, Father Bill Dickinson
Rosemary Blessing, Dolores and Al Stansfield
Wynocker Family, Barry Family, Woodlawn Estates,
Apostle Family, Synk Family, Kuhnle Family, Paul Family
And, a special thanks to the co-chairs of the event, Kathryn Kuhnle and Annette Paul, their committees and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure a fun, well-organized event.
However, the best part of the walk is the money that was raised to benefit the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals. We’re proud to announce $15,300.00 was raised in conjunction with this event. These funds, along with the $32,000.00 generated from the second annual Foundation golf outing, will allow the Foundation to donate $50,000 to the Ireland Cancer Center this year. As always, every dollar raised will be invested in advanced breast cancer research. The progress and results of our funding will be shared on this site in the upcoming months.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the success of the first annual Marilyn B. Gula Mountains of Hope Foundation “Walk for Hope”.
With gratitude,
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairman
Although the Foundation was founded and active during Lynn's lifetime, since her death we have continued to move forward with our mission - We believe all women with advanced breast cancer deserve a fighting chance.
During the last two years we've seen the Foundation grow and flourish. We owe thanks to so many who have been part of our growth: the Foundation Board of Directors, the doctors on our advisory board, and numerous volunteers and consultants who have donated their time and expertise to our fund-raising endeavors. My heartfelt thanks, too, to the financial supporters who, through their generosity, have allowed us to make the two donations mentioned below.
During this past year we held two successful fund-raisers: Castle for a Cure on March 22, 2008 in Phoenix, which raised $100,000 for the Foundation; and Golf for a Cure on June 18, 2008 in Ohio, which generated $35,000 for breast cancer research.
I'm pleased to share that the $100,000 raised by Castle for a Cure has been matched by the Foundation to allow us to make a $200,000 donation to the TGen Foundation. Working with TGen, we have mutually agreed on the project to receive the funding: Molecular Characterization of Circulating Tumor Cells in Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer to Guide Chemotherapy Choices.
TGen's project will target Stage IV advanced breast cancer patients and seek to develop a novel program which will allow physicians to more effectively treat patients with Stage IV advanced breast cancer. The goal of the trial is to determine whether personalized adjustments of therapy guided by a patient's unique molecular pathology enhances clinical outcome; Improving the Quality of Life and possibly extending the Patients Life.
We will provide periodic progress reports on this website as they become available.
The Foundation has made a second donation of $50,000 to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in support of Dr. Jacqueline Bromberg's research study on ?The Role of the Growth Factor IL-6 in Breast Cancer. Essentially, High IL-6 levels are produced by breast cancer stem cells which have the capacity to metastasize and are resistant to chemotherapy. Dr. Bromberg's laboratory is developing and investigating inhibitors of IL-6 production both in breast cancer cells and in patients. Dr. Bromberg's laboratory is testing these inhibitors in patients and correlating the clinical response to changes in IL-6 levels. There is reason to believe that the direct inhibitors of this signaling pathway will be a potent inhibitor of metastatic disease.
Looking ahead, we are proud to be affiliated with these significant breast cancer research projects and are excited to track their progress.
As we look forward we will continue to develop and enhance another Castle for a Cure and various golf outing concepts along with other more specialized fund-raising events. We continue to grow our resources through private donations, and, again, thank our friends and supporters from the bottom of my heart.
Lynn's spirit continues through the Foundation. We believe all women with advanced breast cancer deserve a fighting chance.
With gratitude, Allen J. Gula, Jr. Foundation Chairman
My wife, Lynn, was the love of my life for the 29+ years we were together. As a couple we were very close - had the same values, the same tastes, and same dreams for the future.
However, in 1996, everything changed when Lynn was diagnosed with breast cancer, detected through routine screening. ‘Cancer’ is probably the scariest word one can hear from a doctor. To be honest, Lynn was braver than I was. From the beginning, after the tears, she accepted the diagnosis matter-of-factly, and embarked on the doctor’s suggested treatment: lumpectomy, radiation, and elective chemotherapy. Eighteen months later she had a recurrence, followed by a second surgery and a regimen of Tamoxofin for five years. We were both stunned. Neither of us had had to deal with the disease personally, and didn’t know what to expect.
Lynn never complained nor gave in to the discomfort or pain. The Tamoxofin kept things in check - Lynn looked good, functioned normally, and despite some “acceptable” side effects, seemed “okay”. But “Cancer” hung over us - and I never forgot what the doctor had said - that her type of cancer could be controlled with drugs on an interim basis, but she could not be cured. Once the Tamoxofin lost its effectiveness, things turned for the worst. It was harder to control the spread of the cancer, and it had now spread to her stomach. Lynn exhibited more symptoms of the illness, the fatigue, the pallor, loss of appetite.
Then, with a new, more aggressive regime of chemotherapy, hair loss, uncontrollable nausea, complete loss of appetite, pain, and weakness - Lynn was sick. Sicker than she had been, and she wasn’t getting better. Though we had the very best care, and well-respected doctors whom we trusted, things got to a point where there was nothing more anyone could do.
Hospitals, tests, doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, therapy - our days were filled with these realities of severe illness. Yet, throughout all this, we never stopped hoping for a miracle, and Lynn never lost her graciousness and interest in others - and she never complained. She continued to stay positive and affect those around her in a way I have a hard time describing. It was a privilege to share my life with Lynn and care for her. I devoted myself to her care - hoping against hope that she would get well, or at least “better” so life could return to some level of normal.
Even at the end - when I took her to the hospital on Sunday night, July 23, I thought it was just another trip to the emergency room (there had been many), and I would be bringing her home again soon. But this time there was nothing more that could be done, and the doctors tried to prepare us.
I called family and close friends to let them know - and they came: from Ohio, Connecticut, Arizona and Texas. The morning of July 26th I held Lynn’s hand and told her it was okay - that she didn’t have to keep fighting. Her beloved sister, Annette, best buddy “Ernie” (the dog), myself, Fr. Walt from Ohio, my sister Dawn, our housekeeper, Lori, Lynn’s favorite nurse, Catherine, and our friends the Swetts and the Kieltys were with her. Then, at 5:55 pm PDST, Lynn took her final breath.
It was an intimate time for us - we prayed, cried, and hugged each other. The worst ordeal of our lives was over - yet I would gladly relive each day to be with Lynn again. It has been very difficult for me since Lynn’s death.
There is a hole in my heart that I cannot imagine mending. I am left with wonderful memories of our life together and of the beautiful person she was.
Now - the focus of my life is the Foundation, which Lynn founded to help others facing similar struggles, and which is now her legacy.
From the bottom of my heart I cannot express the gratitude Lynn had and I have for our family and friends, Lynn’s long-time doctor, Hope Rugo, her nurse, Catherine, all the staff at the UCSF Infusion Center, Dr. Cliff Hudis at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and many, many others.
Allen J. Gula, Jr.
Foundation Chairperson