Major Milestone Achieved!

Generation Dream

MAJOR MILESTONE ACHIEVED!

In 2010, a group of friends created a philanthropic organization called David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation with the goal of supporting one or two Families per year battling a cancer diagnosis.

Today, we wrote a grant check for our 1,001st Family affected by a cancer diagnosis. 694 Families offered financial assistance in just the past 3 years with countless more families receiving wellness services and emotional support. This would not be possible without the support from our Board of Directors, Patient Advocates, Service-Arm Providers, individual donors, business sponsors, community partners and volunteers who serve by our side as A Beacon of Hope to our families battling this deadly disease.

It’s only fitting that members from our youth group, Generation Dream share the news with all of you!

On behalf of Co-Founders Tim Hall and Carmen Malatino and our Board of Directors – thank you from the bottom of our hearts for affording us the opportunity to shine a bright light of Hope for families during their darkest of times.

Please consider joining us as we continue to serve those in need – Donate Today or contact david@davidsdreamandbelieve.org for information on how to give throughout 2018.

David Caldarella
Co-Founder

 

Danielle Corso takes new role as full-time Executive Director!

Danielle Corso – Executive Director

As we get ready to turn the page on 2017, we are grateful for the support you have given to David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation (DDBCF) over the past year and 7 years since our inception in 2011. We can’t help but feel the serendipitous wind blowing off the Atlantic Ocean and the recognition that as an organization we continue to evolve and grow as a family with the shared mission to bring HOPE to our families battling cancer. We would not have been able to bring that HOPE to over 1,000 families without your support. Thank you! 

It’s with that same awareness and recognition of the massive and growing task at hand – that we are very excited to announce that our current Board Vice President, Danielle Corso will be moving into a new role with our foundation on February 1, 2018 when she will become our Executive Director. Dani “officially” joined the BOD’s on August 21, 2014 as a volunteer and she has been a constant source of unwavering support, love and HOPE for our families battling a cancer diagnosis. In this newly created full-time position, Dani will continue to help forge new community partnerships, provide crucial tactical administrative support and ultimately help ensure that our bright Beacon of Hope shines more brightly than ever!

2017 Beacon of Hope Award Recipient: Dr. David M. Cognetti

 

2017 BEACON OF HOPE AWARD RECIPIENT:

David M. Cognetti, MD, FACS
Associate Professor and Co-Director, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University

In recognition of an outstanding individual or agency instrumental in filling hearts with HOPE and shining a LIGHT in the darkness of cancer. We are proud and honored to recognize Dr. David M. Cognetti of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia with our “BEACON OF HOPE AWARD!

Dr. Cognetti was born and raised in Scranton, Pa (where all roads meet.)  He is the second tallest of nine children.  He and his siblings spent their childhood rooting against the Philadelphia Eagles and vacationing down the shore in Ocean City, NJ.  He currently serves as the Co-director of the Jefferson Center for Head and Neck Surgery.  At Jefferson, he initiated (with the help of dedicated colleagues and tremendous nursing teams) programs in Transoral Robotic Surgery as well as Sialendoscopy, both of which are innovative technologies that eliminate the need for radical open surgery. Both programs were one of the earliest of their kind in the United States and are currently among the busiest in the country.

Dr. Cognetti received his BS in Biology from Georgetown University, where he made an unsuccessful walk-on bid for the men’s basketball team.  He received his MD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where his future wife scored higher than him on all medical school exams and achieved a contested victory over him in a 10k race.  He completed a residency in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University before completing a fellowship in Advanced Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  Dr. Cognetti returned to Jefferson, his professional home, as faculty in 2008.

Dr. Cognetti has served many leadership roles at the institutional, regional, and national levels.  He completed the Jefferson Leadership Academy and currently serves as the chair of the Operating Room Committee at Jefferson. He serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.  He is the chair of the Head and Neck Surgery Education Committee for the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and the co-chair of the History Committee of the Endocrine Surgery Section of the American Head and Neck Society.  He also serves on the Head and Neck Steering Committee Rare Tumors Task Force for the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute.  He has received a Castle Connolly Top Doc Award for the past three years.  Above all, he is tirelessly committed to the care of patients, in Philadelphia, Haiti, and beyond, and he is constantly looking at ways to improve systems and outcomes.   He currently resides in Penn Valley, PA with his supportive wife, Missy, and their three strong and independent daughters, Julia, Claire, and Sophia.

Inaugural Hope Under The Sea Gala

Hope Under The Sea

Hope Under The Sea

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation present the inaugural Hope Under The Sea Gala which will take place on Saturday November 11th at Adventure Aquarium.

This black-tie optional gala, hosted by Cydney Long of NBC10 Philadelphia will feature a cocktail reception with American Idol’s Cara Samantha, speeches from the 2017 Beacon of Hope Award Recipient Dr. David Cognetti (TJUH), Mr. David Neu (Neu Center for Supportive Medicine & Cancer Survivorship), Big Daddy Graham (cancer survivor and fellow patient of Dr. Cognetti’s) & Dawn Aversa (DDBCF volunteer and mother of a young child who successfully battled cancer). Following the elegant cocktail hour will be a plated dinner served in the Aquarium’s magnificent ballroom where guests will have the opportunity to bid on auction items while being treated to a private concert by G. Love & Special Sauce.

This event benefits quality of life for cancer patients through the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson’s Neu Center for Supportive Medicine & Cancer Survivorship, Jefferson Health’s Mission in Haiti through the Jefferson Department of Otolaryngology and David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation.

About the Gala: 

The inaugural Hope Under the Sea Gala honors the relationship between Stage IV cancer patient David Caldarella (Co-founder, David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation),  Dr. David Cognetti (Associate Professor and Co-Director, Jefferson Head and Neck Surgery), along with the entire Thomas Jefferson University Hospital team. This partnership shares a common goal to serve as a Beacon of Hope, and each year, the Gala will recognize one outstanding individual with the “Beacon of Hope Award”.

We are proud to announce that the 2017 Beacon of Hope Award recipient is Dr. David Cognetti!

Click for G. Love & Special Sauce Video

Click for Tickets

Click to become a Sponsor

Click to donate an Auction Item

Click to purchase Advertisement Journal Space: Page 1 & Page 2

For questions or more information, contact David Caldarella:
(609) 489-0011 or david@davidsdreamandbelieve.org

 

Landguard Title Services, LLC

Our friends and Executive Partners at Informed Mortgage along with owner Lou Hoguet from Landguard Title Services, LLC shared some great news with us at the 5th Annual Island Gala and we are ready to share that major announcement with all of you. Landguard Title Services, LLC has joined our friends from Informed Mortgage with their planned giving initiative and for every deal closed by Landguard Title Services, LLC, $25.00 will be donated to David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation with a commitment to donate a minimum of $500.00 per month!

We would not be able to serve as A Beacon of Hope without the support and planned giving initiatives from business partners such as Informed Mortgage and Landguard Title Services, LLC. Please support the businesses dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families battling a cancer diagnosis.

Sibling Perspective

SIBLING PERSPECTIVE
By: Rachel Jones
Director of Patient Advocacy
David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation

 

“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, for my family it’s every month.

Childhood cancer isn’t easy for anyone involved, it affects the ENTIRE family. One part of the family that often gets overlooked are the siblings. I should know, I’ve been one.

I was 9 when my youngest sister (2) was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).
I remember not just the day, but also the days leading up to and shortly after her diagnosis like it was yesterday.
She had been running high fevers, was lethargic and very fussy, along with these symptoms she had labs drawn, X-rays, etc. over about 4 days leading up to her trip to Boston Children’s Hospital, where she received her official diagnosis.
I’ll never forget being in school and the teacher calling me to her desk to give me the message she had just received, that my parents were rushing my sister to Boston and we (my other sister and I) would be picked up by a friend.
I remember the fear and worry that I felt. I remember wanting to go with them and know why and what was happening.
My sister went to Boston on a Wednesday night, we didn’t get to see her or my parents until that Saturday, when we were told she had cancer.
That word, especially back in the 1990’s was something very rare for kids to know much less talk about, especially regarding another child. Yet, here I was and that word was describing my sister.
The next 2 1/2 years were filled with hospital stays, trips to Ronald McDonald House and clinic visits. Everything and everyone’s focus was on my sister and how she was. Don’t get me wrong, mine was too but I think I can count on one hand the number of times someone asked me how I was and what I was feeling.
You see siblings are expected to maintain life as is, in spite of a diagnosis that literally rocks your world and turns everything “normal” about your life into the unknown.
You’re no longer a family unit like you’ve always known it, now life revolves around your sibling with cancer. Trips, plans, sports, school activities are all worked around chemo, fevers, steroids, etc.
Even when treatment is over, you still often feel second to your sick sibling. Whether it’s make a wish trips, camps or other things that are all part of the cancer world.

So what does all this mean for you, what can you do to help?!?
If ever you cross paths with a sibling of a cancer patient.
For just a moment, forget the patient or the parents and ask how the SIBLING  is feeling, doing in school, sports, etc.
You will never know how much that will mean to that child but I can tell you the light in their eyes and smile on their face when they realize someone’s interested in them will give you a small picture of how special you made them feel.

Cancer is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but I wouldn’t change the person I am or people I’ve met from being part of the cancer world.”

 

Cupcakes for HOPE

Cupcakes for HOPE

Cupcakes for HOPE

This is Madelyn. She is 11 years old and was diagnosed at the age of 9 with Leukemia. While still fighting her fight, she wanted to do something to give back to the community that rallied around her and her family when they needed it most.

She LOVES to bake and has been lucky enough to team up with owner, Jess from Cake That in Manahawkin to do just that.cancer

For every “Golden Salted Caramel” cupcake that is sold in the month of September, $1 will be donated to David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, who in turn will donate 100% of the proceeds to a local child diagnosed with cancer.

A special thank you to our amazing 11 year old Madelyn, who inspires and motivates all of us on a daily basis. Thank you to Maddy’s mom Vicki, Jess from Cake that and Dawn Simon from Swing Graphics for all your support to make this fundraiser and Childhood Cancer Awareness campaign possible!

4th Annual Survival of the Mills

Survival
Survival
4th Annual Survival of the Mills

Survival of the Mills presented by: Crossfit Absecon

Sunday September 24, 2017 at Wells Mills County Park

Please join us for the 4th Annual Survival of the Mills presented by our friends at Crossfit Absecon to benefit David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation on Sunday September 24, 2017 at Wells Mills County Park in Waretown, NJ. Our competitors can choose one of three challenging races including: a 7-stage Triathlon, 5-stage Duathlon or a 5K Trail Run/Walk.

Our friend Ross Reynolds from Trident Multisport is the race creator/organizer/director. Ross and his wife Marissa are the backbone for both of our athletic fundraisers with Survival of the Mills and Run for Hope. Their continued support for our families battling a cancer diagnosis is greatly appreciated by all of us at the Foundation.

Register for the Triathlon, Duathlon or 5K by clicking this Link: Survival of the Mills

We are looking for individuals and businesses to partner with David’s Dream & Believe on this great event. Please click on the Sponsorship Form below for a description of sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact David Caldarella david@davidsdreamandbelieve.org

Sponsorship Form

 

2nd Annual Frank A. Cosimano Memorial Golf Classic

Golf
Golf
2nd Annual Frank A. Cosimano Memorial Golf Classic

The 2nd Annual Frank A. Cosimano Memorial Golf Classic to benefit David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation will take place at White Beeches Golf & Country Club on Monday October 16, 2017. We want to welcome Hackensack Meridian Health as our newest Presenting Sponsor joining Bergen Risk Managers,  Otterstedt Insurance Agency and Jetty.

The Cosimano and Caldarella families both grew up in north jersey but spent every summer and most off-season weekends together on Long Beach Island. The Cosimano’s are family to Co-Founder David Caldarella and Mr. Cosimano was like a second dad. As many of you know, Frank A. Cosimano passed away on August 7th 2011 from Pancreatic cancer. Frank loved his wife Angela, daughter Kim son Jason, daughter-in-law Dorothy, his 6 grand kids, friends, animals, golf and most importantly helping others. He was passionate about giving back to individuals and charities. One charity that was very close to Frank and remains close to his family is David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation. Please join us as we honor and remember this great man at The 2nd Annual Frank A. Cosimano Memorial Golf Classic to serve as “A Beacon of Hope” for all those families currently battling a cancer diagnosis.

We want to thank Jason, Kim and Mrs. Angela Cosimano for serving as Co-Chairs for this event. Jason is currently serving in his second year on the Board of Directors for David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation.

A special thanks to our Golf Committee that includes family members and long-time friends from both the Caldarella and Cosimano families. We want to recognize Michael & Todd Accomando, Leonard Kaiser, Jaqueline Ceccarelli-Komsa, Ed Komsa, Lauren Komsa Curtis, Dr. Robert Siconolfi, Stephen P. Sinisi Esq. and Christina Ulmer.

Thank you to Greg Porcino from Golf Event Management. Also, want to thank the staff at White Beeches Golf & Country Club and long-time friends of the Cosimano and Caldarella families: Lauren McGovern and Jim McGovern.

There is a limited number of sponsorship packages, individual player and/or dinner reception only tickets available for the 2nd Annual Frank A. Cosimano Memorial Golf Classic at White Beeches Golf & Country Club on Monday October 16, 2017.

We are pre-selling “The 2018 Masters Tournament Experience Trip for Two” raffle tickets for $50.00 – only 200 to be sold!

2018 The Masters Tournament Experience

Please contact David Caldarella at: (609) 489-0011 or david@davidsdreamandbelieve.org for more information.

Informed Mortgage

Informed MortgageOur friends at Informed Mortgage continue their creative planned giving campaign. Our hometown mortgage specialists have committed to donate $25.00 to David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation for every loan closed by their Manahawkin, NJ office!

We must thank the amazing staff at Informed Mortgage and their clients for their personal investment in our mission and dedication to bring HOPE to our patients affected by a cancer diagnosis!

Please contact our friends at Informed Mortgage for all your Mortgage/Refi needs by calling them today at: (609) 597-0007.