A New Year for New Thinking

Christmas and the associated breaks bring us time to reflect with family and friends.  We may have spent some time complaining about the travails and plights of the world, but by far, we need to acknowledge that the world is better than it has ever been. People are living longer, healthier lives than they ever have.

We need to be careful to give “air time” to the striking progress that is taking place and to celebrate it.   Let us challenge ourselves to be positive in this New Year – to spend less time focusing on suffering, flaws and disappointments and more energy on elevating goodness. As Bill Gates said,  “The belief that the world can’t solve extreme poverty and disease isn’t just mistaken. It is harmful.”

We are thankful to all of our Ishan Gala patrons who have helped us in the past year.  We have changed the lives of families who have children with cancer and we are supporting research that could one day end neuroblastoma.

Keep being a beacon for the good in the world!

-Alice Gentry-Lingerfelt

Director of Operations

A New Day at Ishan Gala Foundation

We have exciting news to share with you. After completing an extensive search, it is our great pleasure to introduce Alice Gentry-Lingerfelt, who joined the Ishan Gala Foundation in April as its first-ever Director of Operations.

We feel incredibly fortunate to have found an accomplished leader in Alice, who has a proven track record of success in program management, non-profit development, and fundraising for a variety of organizations.

Alice Gentry-Lingerfelt
Director of Operations
Ishan Gala Foundation

Alice also brings a lifelong regard for the support, nurture, and encouragement of children to her new position with us. Through her work as an advocate for children’s issues and for public health, she came to understand the devastating impact that illness, particularly cancer, can have on our families and our communities.

As the Director of Operations, Alice will lead efforts to identify and fund pediatric cancer research programs, build and engage the community through innovative programming, and raise funding to provide support to individual families living with pediatric cancer and the demands therein.

With infectious enthusiasm and energy, Alice is excited to join our foundation in its promise to change the future of children with cancer. You can reach out to and welcome her via email at alice@ishangala.org or by phone at 434-227-5317. Twitter: @ishangalafdn

Thank you for sharing the journey with us,

 

Mayank Gala
Founder
Ishan Gala Foundation

4th Annual Splash for a Cure a huge success!

4th ANNUAL SPLASH FOR A CURE

Charlottesville, VA – The Ishan Gala Foundation is proud to announce their 4th Annual Splash For a Cure fundraiser event to take place August 11th at ACAC Waterpark in Charlottesville, VA.

For the fourth year in a row, The Ishan Gala Foundation is proud to announce ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center as the main sponsor of the event, with the generous donation of their waterpark facility. Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Arch’s and Papa John’s all have donated food for the event which will be available for purchase.  Live DJ, raffle, games, and other family-friendly activities will be taking place during the evening.

Advance admission and raffle tickets are now on sale and available online at http://splash4.eventbrite.com/. Tickets for admission are $15 per adult, $10 for youth, with family packages available.  Raffle tickets are being sold in two categories: $10 and $50 with prizes ranging from vacation packages, restaurant gift certificates, to an ACAC membership. Stay tuned to the website for updates on ticket sales and prizes.

Kelley Kassay is serving as this year’s Chair for Splash for a Cure.  Kassay has spoken at past Splashes about her son, Mason, who attended the pool party in 2010 but lost his battle in June of 2011 to Neuroblastoma, the same form of pediatric cancer that took Ishan’s life.  Mason was the Ishan Gala Foundation’s first recipient of a Hero’s Grant and his family have been great advocates for awareness and fundraising, holding local events such as a Walk for Mason and a paintball tournament.

All proceeds from Splash for a Cure will benefit the foundation and go towards finding a cure for Neuroblastoma, the disease that took Ishan’s life in 2008 and is a cancer that affects mostly children.  IGF awards grants for research focusing on less toxic treatments for children fighting Neuroblastoma as well as assisting families facing the financial burden of the cost of treatment for a child fighting Neuroblastoma through our Hero’s Grant program.  Every 16 hours a child dies of Neuroblastoma, which makes up 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths, and yet little is known about the disease.

Splash for a Cure has generated over $60,000 in funds raised since its inaugural event in 2009.  Over 400 participants come out each year to swim, dance, eat, and be a part of the magic as they learn about this rare disease and how it affects families around the world. The event will continue no matter rain or shine – 2011’s Splash was moved inside due to a hurricane, but still entertained families and raised thousands of dollars.  So expect this year’s event to be bigger and better as more supporters rally to help change the future for children with cancer.

For more information the Ishan Gala Foundation, visit www.ishangala.org
or contact Gretel Truong at media@ishangala.org.

Team Curing Hand Goes Global

We are excited to announce our 2012 initiative, Team Curing Hand Goes Global. This program will allow endurance athletes worldwide to race on behalf of the Ishan Gala Foundation to help change the future for children with cancer – in any race they choose; any time, any where.

The tiered formatting will allow an ala carte type relationship between a runner, cyclist, hiker, walker or any other athlete and Team Curing Hand. This flexible program provides a participant with the flexibility to choose their race and involvement while benefitting the mission of the Ishan Gala Foundation to find non-toxic treatment and fund research for a cure.

Neuroblastoma is a global issue and we know that in order to make a bigger impact we must grow and offer more options to help more people. We are extremely excited to present this program. Please consider joining us as we race globally to change the future for children!

Please click on this survey link and let us know if you would like to join Team Curing Hand at the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon in November; the Marine Corps Marathon 10k in October, or a race of YOUR choosing.

TCH Highlights From 2011 Marine Corps Marathon/10k

Team Curing Hand had another successful year at the Marine Corps Marathon/10k, which included many new comers and new events for the team. Around this same time last year, the 2011 season kicked off with the “Have A Heart. Lend A Hand. Join The Team” run/walk to help recruit runners for the upcoming race. We were excited to have such an early response from both newcomers and alumni alike.

Kickoff was held in June in Reston and Charlottesville, Virginia very near the trails the NOVA crew would soon be running down every Saturday. We raced right through months of training and got headlong into distance mileage!  It’s a cool feeling as a coach to watch first timers knock out those miles and see the victory on their faces each time they realize how far they just ran.

Our “luck” ran out on the 20 miler, it poured rain and was cold and windy for the entire run but I’m proud to report our team showed their war faces and braved right through it all. We rewarded them with homemade pumpkin cake with chocolate butter cream frosting – thanks to Gretel for having a birthday to give us another excuse to celebrate (note to future runners – there are many rewards when you show up for training runs!)

After a couple of sunny and warm Saturdays in the fall we were excited for the prospects of  race weekend – and from no where came the SNOW the day before the race. It didn’t slow down our pasta dinner celebration but it did cause some jittery nerves for our first time racers (and jittery teeth for just about everyone!). Morning dawned very chilly and clear, however, and it was time to put all those lessons and trainings into practice. Yet by the time everyone got to the start line and thawed, it was truly a perfect day to race! The entire team did exceptional! EVERYONE finished and got a medal placed around their necks, just a small prize for the months of dedication, early mornings, hard workouts and determination.

Here are a few highlights and statistics:

• Leah Kate Lounsbury, our Boston qualifier from 2010, came back and brought a friend. We’re excited to see her race Boston in the spring of 2012.
• Kelley Kassay, Mason Thomas’ mom, who lost his battle June of 2011 ran the 10k in her his memory. ·
• Sejal Gala, Ishan’s mom, ran the 10k in his memory alongside Mayank and were met at the finish line by baby boy Archer
• More than 50% of the team were first-time racers, 7 were ‘repeat offenders’ from the 2010 season. 16 ran the marathon, 24 ran the 10k
• Furthest distance traveled: Texas
• Top fundraisers: Brooke Fields (marathon) and Sheena Aurora (10k)
• Thanks to Kelly Mason for holding down the fort in Charlottesville during training runs!

Thank you for your support and stay tuned for new announcements for races this year!

Rich & Rebecca Wolfe
& the TCH Coaching Staff

Team Curing Hand Shave-A-Thon featured in FAA News Article!

 

 

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!

Support Our New Hero’s Grant Awardee: Saoirse Fitzgerald

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.

 

Mason Thomas honored in Charlottesville

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

Team Curing Hand Revving up for 2011 MCM – Registration Deadline is Monday!

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 1^st 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.