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Coach Rebecca Wolfe, as many Team Curing Hand members know her as, made a big sacrifice by cutting off her hair in front of a large crowd of friends and family at a Shave-A-Thon late last month. This week, she and a co-worker was featured in an FAA Today Article - be sure to check it out and share with your friends!
Please join the IGF family in welcoming our newest Hero Grant Awardee, Saoirse Fitzgerald. Saoirse was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma three months ago at eleven months old. This happened only a few months after her mother, Kezia Fitzgerald, was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
This family’s life has been turned upside down not once, but twice in the last six months. Saoirse’s father, Mike Fitzgerald, is a car salesman in the local area where they live. He is rarely able to go to work because there are now two people in their family going through chemotherapy treatments and clinic visits. Between parking fees at the hospital, gas, missing work and a mortgage, this has taken an extreme financial toll on their family and they are struggling week to week.
Saoirse’s mother, Kezia, writes a blog for friends, family and the world to keep up-to-date on how everyone is doing. The blog is for this family to share their story and raise awareness about the diseases, but more importantly to show how a positive attitude can turn even the most difficult situation into life as usual.
The bottom line is that this family needs the help of the IGF family. Please join us and help them through this time of need. You can click here to make donations directly to Saoirse or make a donation at www.ishangala.org in her name. Thank you again for all of your help. Let’s make a difference for this family and for all families battling cancer.
Our first IGF Hero, 11-year old Mason Clark Thomas, passed away on Monday, June 20, 2011, after a six-year battle with Neuroblastoma. After an emotional private service, the family held a Celebration of Life for the entire community at Charlottesville Ice Park. The space was filled with photos, friends, and colorful balloons symbolizing Mason’s contagious smile, ever-giving heart and courageous spirit.
Mason fought Neroblastoma for six years. He was a true inspiration to us all. Mason showed sincere compassion and concern for his family. Even through all of the pain he endured, Mason never complained and never gave up.
The family expressed deep gratitude to the community for all of their love, support and encouragement. They gave special recognition to the Neuroblastoma team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Center and to The University of Virginia Pediatric Hemotology/ Oncology Department, where Mason received treatments.
He is survived by his mother, Kelley Jean Kassay and her partner and Mason’s caregiver, James Michael O’Brien; his father, Scott Edward Thomas; a loving sister, Monica Paige Thomas; a brother, Parker Scott Thomas; his grandparents, Brenda Barrett, James and Lisa Kassay, Juanita and Francis Hunt, and Lawrence and Pam Thomas; an aunt, who Mason called his second mother, Jessica “Jesse” Rae Kassay-McAllister, and her husband, Mark; aunts, Penny Kassay and Shana Hunt; uncles, Kyle Kassay and his wife, Holly, Joel Kassay, Randolph Thomas and his wife, Eva, Shawn Thomas and Andy Thomas; two great-aunts, Nancy Honeywell and her husband, “Uncle Gary” and Debbie D’Agasciano; Danielle Musco “Aunt D”; cousins, Michael and David Ascenio, Andy Sarafina Kassay, Parker Heinemann (Mason’s best friend), Lorenzo, Riley and Jadynn “Jady Bug” McAllister, Liam Clark Kassay (named by Mason, due September 30, 2011), Colleen Kassay, and Randall, Hailey, Riley, and Skylar Thomas (per Mason’s request, due in August); and many other loving family and friends.
The Ishan Gala Foundation would like to thank all of our members for their donations and support given to the family of Mason Thomas. His family continues to inspire us with their dedication to this cause. Our hearts and prayers go out to Mason’s family and friends. Mason will greatly be missed by all of us here at
The 2011 Marine Corps Marathon training season is underway and picking up the pace. The Ishan Gala Foundation’s Marathon Team – Team Curing Hand – has not only been following a rigorous training schedule, but has also been focused on raising funds for a great cause.
Our registration deadline is Monday, August 1st and there are still a few bibs left for runners. It’s really easy to register and a great way to do something good for yourself and others! Our fundraising minimums are as follows; For Marathon runners: $1000 (individual) and $4000 (team of five). For 10k runners: $500 (individual) and $2000 (team of five). For training information, schedules and to get registered please visit our website at www.curinghand.org.
Join Team Curing Hand today! There is still three months to meet your goals! Grab a friend and get registered with our team and run to make a difference for a family fighting childhood cancer.
The Ishan Gala Foundation is looking forward to ending the summer with a 
SPLASH! Come out and join us for our 3rd Annual Splash for a Cure – A Pool Party to Make a Difference on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 5-9pm. The night will be filled with food, games, music, swimming, raffle prizes drawings, and loads of fun for all ages!
Help IGF raise money for the families we support with a child battling cancer. By purchasing a $50 or $10 raffle ticket, you will be entered for a chance to win one of the great prizes donated to us by local vendors. Top prizes for the $50 tier include; ACAC One-Year Family Membership, Smith Mountain Lake Weekend Getaway, Dinner for Eight at Bonefish Grill and a Scuba Diving Party for Six. Top prizes for the $10 tier include; Custom-made Jean Jacket, Nikon Camera, Ribbon’s Gift Album and Starbucks Gift Basket.
IGF would like to thank our sponsors who make this event possible. The following is a list of current sponsors and prize donors for the 3rd Annual Splash for A Cure:
ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers
Chick-fil-A
Papa John’s
Starbucks
XS Energy Drink
Arch’s Frozen Yogurt
Mariner’s Landing @ Smith Mountain Lake
Dive Connections
Bonefish Grill
Terrace Greene – Apartment Homes
Virginia National Bank
We are accepting sponsors and raffle prizes for this year’s event until August 24th. For further information on becoming a corporate sponsor or to donate a raffle prize please contact us at info@ishangala.org. If you or your company are interested in joining the volunteer team at IGF for this event, please visit our website at www.splashforacure.com for details.
Purchase your event tickets in advance online for a discounted price. Tickets will be available the day of the event for full price. For ticket sales, event updates and further information please visit our website at www.splashforacure.com. The Ishan Gala Foundation looks forward to spending the evening with you and your family as we battle to CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER.
At the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium in June 2011, IGF founder, Mayank Gala, presented a $25,000 check to Dr. Giselle Sholler, MD with the Van Andel Institute. This check was the second half of grant totaling $50,000, which IGF awarded last year. Dr. Sholler serves on IGF’s medical advisory board and is one of the nation’s leaders in Neuroblastoma research. IGF is excited to be funding this grant so she may continue her valiant efforts towards fighting and finding a cure for neuroblastoma. We would again like to thank the members of our IGF family for the countless donations and fundraising efforts. This money will go towards changing the lives of many families around the world for years to come.
Watch the video of the check presentation here:
For more information on neuroblastoma and the medical research the Ishan Gala Foundation supports please visit the “Research” page on our website at www.ishangala.org/research.
On a beautiful Saturday morning on Charlottesville, many gathered near Scottsville for the Walk for Mason to benefit our Hero’s grant grantee and dear friend Mason Thomas who has undergone 17 rounds of chemotherapy and is currently in New York City. Michael and Christopher know Mason and have swam alongside him at other Ishan Gala Foundation events such as Splash for a Cure and wanted to shave their heads to support him. The Tomanators as many refer to them took to the 7 mile walk and raised nearly an additional $400 in support. ”Checks just showed up at our door” says their mother Ann.
Thank you Toman family for your generous support and being part of our mission to change the future for children with cancer.
What will your story be?
25 years and four children after running her first Marine Corps Marathon, Linda Garnier decided to join Team Curing Hand for her 50th birthday and ran 26.2 miles in celebration!
Join Team Curing Hand for the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon and 10k and help us change the future for children with cancer!
2010 Team Curing Hand after completing the Marine Corps Marathon
The Ishan Gala Foundation is proud to announce that the 2011 Team Curing Hand registration for the Marine Corps Marathon October 30th is now open!
Our season last year was a huge success. We are expanding the field and doubling the number of participants in pursuit of breaking through $100,000 raised to help spread the awareness about childhood cancer and finding less toxic treatments for neuroblastoma.
To register, donate to a runner, or find out more information please go to www.curinghand.org.
See you at the finish line!
The fun from 2010′s Splash for a Cure continues as raffle prize winners redeem their prizes – such as Alex Angle and his son who won tickets to the University of Virginia’s basketball game. Above they are featured with the Hoos’ own Cav Man!
We are currently looking for raffle prizes for this year’s Splash for a Cure. If you would like to donate a prize, please email info@ishangala.org.
Can’t wait to see out at Splash for a Cure later this year and see who gets the opportunity to win some other great prizes!
