2018 BEACON OF HOPE AWARD RECIPIENTS
We are thrilled to recognize Kristin Moritz, Joyce Panzone & Jillian Elsasser (pictured to the left) with the 2018 David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation’s (DDBCF) Beacon of Hope Award!
“In recognition of an outstanding individual or business instrumental in filling hearts with HOPE and shining a LIGHT in the darkness of cancer.”
Our 6th Annual Frank V. Panzone Jr. Memorial Cruisin for a Cure event held this past Sunday was another tremendous success. The day is always special regardless of the weather, and this year’s event included a surprise announcement that no rain or clouds would dampen.
Earlier this year, a unanimous “secret” vote by (all but one) DDBCF Board members moved forward the decision to honor long-time DDBCF supporters Kristin Moritz, Joyce Panzone and Jillian Elsasser from Panzone’s Pizza in Surf City and Panzone’s Pizza & Pasta in Beach Haven, NJ. The decision to honor these 3 amazing women was easy but keeping it a secret from Vice President of DDBCF, Kristin Moritz and DDBCF Advisory Board Member, Jillian Elsasser was the difficult part.
You would be hard pressed to find an event on the busy DDBCF calendar that does not include substantial support from these women, their family members and their respective businesses. Their consistent participation is unmatched and includes generous financial sponsorships, auction items, donated food, graphic design, event management and countless hours of service as a member of the DDBCF Board of Directors (Kristin) and member of the DDBCF Advisory Board (Jillian).
Beyond the highly visible event and volunteer support, what almost no one sees are the numerous meals delivered to families of DDBCF battling a cancer diagnosis or the donated catered food for holiday parties that benefit cancer patients in the middle of their treatment plans. In fact, the first ever DDBCF fundraiser which took place at the Ship Bottom Firehouse in December 2010 after the Ship Bottom Christmas Parade was catered for free by the Panzone Family and Panzone’s Pizza!
Our DDBCF Family is a blessing to so many including our patients and their families as well as all of us internally here at DDBCF and Kristin, Joyce and Jillian represent the very best of humanity. We also want to thank and extend our sincere appreciation to Kristin’s husband John, their son Johnny, Jillian’s husband Todd and their son Cole!
6th Annual Frank V. Panzone Jr. Memorial Cruisin for a Cure Wrap-Up
On behalf of the DDBCF Board of Directors; I would like to thank our sponsors, riders, party guests, volunteers, businesses and individuals who donated food and activities for helping to make the 6th Annual Frank V. Panzone Jr. Memorial Cruisin for a Cure our most successful Cruisin to date. Thanks to your “Generosity of Spirit,” we were able to raise more than $48,000 for families battling a cancer diagnosis. The image below includes every individual and business that donated to this event in some capacity – thank you ALL. It is because of your generous support, that DDBCF has been able to help 1,053 Families with over $825,000.00 in direct patient financial aid (January 2011 – March 31, 2018).
Kristin, Joyce, Jillian and their family members are living tributes to their patriarch Frank V. Panzone Jr. They celebrate and honor Frank’s life every day, and all of us at DDBCF are humbled by the fact that they have chosen to partner with us on our mission to serve as Beacons of Hope for families battling a cancer diagnosis. Congratulations ladies and THANK YOU!
David Caldarella
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
