David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation Patient Support Fund

From left to right: Lora Rhodes, LCSW, Michelle Phillip, Adam Luginbuhl, MD, David Caldarella, David Cognetti, MD, and Danielle Corso

November 11, 2010, I heard the words every patient diagnosed with cancer wants to hear: “There’s No Evidence of Disease!” Those amazing words were uttered by the same surgeon who had to inform me I had Stage IV Head and Neck cancer in April 2010. Dr. David Cognetti and I have been able to share many milestones together along the way since 2010 including our joint service for the National Institute of Health’s Head and Neck Steering Committee, a Haiti Mission Trip, the 2020 Head and Neck Cancer Symposium and Dr. Cognetti’s recent promotion to Chairperson of the Department of Otolaryngology, but most importantly family outings to the annual Villanova University/Georgetown University basketball game in Philadelphia. A lifelong friendship was born out of a horrible cancer diagnosis. I am beyond grateful to share that same bond with many members of the Jefferson Health Department of Otolaryngology, Medical Oncology and Infusion Center & Jefferson Radiation Oncology at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Dr. Cognetti and the entire team have also played a critical role in supporting David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation over the past 10 years. We share something else incredibly special beyond our friendships. It is a shared vision and commitment to improve the lives of patients and their families from the moment of a cancer diagnosis. Our Foundation recently gifted a financial contribution to the Department of Otolaryngology at Jefferson to establish the David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation Patient Support Fund. The goal of the fund is to provide a life preserver to patients facing overwhelming financial burdens. We are grateful for this partnership and that the mission of DDBCF has been adopted for this fund.

It has always been about patients and their families, and this partnership will allow us to continue to serve New Jersey residents as they receive cancer care in Pennsylvania.

David Caldarella
Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer Survivor
DDBCF Co-Founder/CEO

Planned Giving

Planned Giving
Planned Giving

Whether you are an individual or business, it’s easy toy Pay It Forward with Planned Giving! Please read the very generous examples below from Paul & Informed Mortgage. Please contact David for more information on how you can take part in Planned Giving Today!

Paul from NY has made the conscious decision to Pay It Forward throughout the year with a recurring donation automatically deducted from his paycheck biweekly that is sent directly to DDBCF. Paul has been Making A Difference in the lives of our patients for several years!

Planned Giving also creates unique opportunities for businesses to have a positive impact on their local community. Informed Mortgage recently signed up to participate in Planned Giving through a partnership with Volatile Media Management. Informed Mortgage has committed to donating $25 per closed loan out of their Manahawkin, NJ Office.

We would love to create similar relationships with like-minded individuals and business owners.  Please contact David at davidsdreamandbelieve.org for further information.

2014 Dream & Believe Accomplishments

2014 Dream & Believe Accomplishments
2014 Dream & Believe Accomplishments

During my battle with Stage IV head & neck cancer in 2010, I was blessed to be surrounded by amazing family, friends, doctors, nurses, caregivers and even strangers offering their prayers, love, support and providing me with HOPE. David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation was forged on those very principles of: kindness, generosity of spirit, faith, hope and love that were ever-present during my cancer journey. An overwhelming desire to “Pay it Forward” crystallized the “Dream” and a group of friends ‘Believed” in that Dream. We set out to offer financial assistance and ignite HOPE in the hearts of a couple patients per year…Fast Forward 4 years…

As of December 31st 2014 (4 years), we have supplied financial assistance and provided HOPE to 325 families!

2014 proved to be a momentous year for the Foundation with a multitude of significant accomplishments as listed in the attached summary but none more important than our mission to provide financial assistance, services and HOPE to our families affected by a cancer diagnosis. All of us at David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation want to thank our patients for inspiring us each and every day. We lost several inspirational members from the DDBCF patient family in 2014 but want your families to know, we carry their spirit with us every day!

Thank you to the many businesses, sponsors, auction donors and volunteers!

Thank you to the parents and kids from our youth group, Generation Dream. This motivated, talented and compassionate group of kids are determined to make a positive impact in the lives of our patients and their families.

A special thank you to our Board of Directors (Tim Hall, Melanie Magaziner, Kelly Powers, Kevin Price, Kim Manzella, Kristin Panzone, Jillian Elsasser & Danielle Corso) who serve the mission of the Foundation on a 100% volunteer basis!

Please take a minute to look back on 2014 with us in the attached summary of accomplishments. Please know that if you attended one of our events, donated an auction item, sponsored an event, volunteered or just made a donation – YOU are responsible for providing HOPE to a family diagnosed with cancer that needs our help. THANK YOU!

We HOPE that you will continue to Dream & Believe with us!

David

 2014 Dream & Believe Accomplishments