Shave the Date presented by Swing Graphics | Movember

Movember: Shave the Date
Movember: Shave the Date

David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation joins forces with Swing Graphics for “Shave The Date.”

Far too many men ignore signs of poor health and refuse to take action. By means of spreading awareness, we are making moves and we need your help. This Movember, we are asking men of all ages to grow a mo to help raise awareness & provide HOPE for male patients battling a cancer diagnosis. If growing a mo isn’t your forte, beards & manes are eligible too. Ladies are welcome and encouraged to get involved by collecting pledges and trimming their tresses.

In recognition of this underlying problem, Swing Graphics and David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation have partnered to create “Shave The Date,” a one-time pop up barbershop at East in Surf City, New Jersey. On November 1, men & women are asked to document current hairstyles on their social media channels with #IShavedTheDate. Over the next month, they will grow out their hair while collecting pledges in support of their commitment for a No Shave November. On November 25, 2016, East will open its doors from 4-9pm to welcome participants to receive a shave or haircut from Ryan’s Barber Shop & Shave Parlor with pledges of $50 or more. If you are unable to participate in the No Shave aspect of this event, but would like to take advantage of our popup barbershop, you are invited to make a donation of $25 for a shave or cut & $35 for a combo. If you are unable to attend the popup barbershop at East but would still like to participate in the fundraising, we welcome you to get involved – simply download our pledge sheets below & visit your favorite barber to get the job done. Through David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, all proceeds from Shave The Date will be directed to male patients battling a cancer diagnosis in need of financial assistance.

“We are currently in a men’s health crisis. Men are 25% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than women. When learning this, I had to ask myself, ‘What do I know about men’s health?’ I could barely even answer that question. I suddenly realized that awareness must be THE first step,” said Dawn Simon from Swing Graphics who has organized this event with the help of business partner Pete Sullivan.

David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds to provide financial assistance, services and HOPE to families affected by a cancer diagnosis. Since 2011, DDBCF has supported 650 Families battling a cancer diagnosis with over $500,000 in grant donations and is currently on pace to offer financial & emotional support to one patient/family per day.

David Caldarella says, “As a stage IV head and neck cancer survivor and Co-Founder of David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, it’s imperative we join together to raise awareness for men’s health. 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer this year and that number is set to double in 2050 according to the National Cancer Institute. Dawn Simon & Peter Sullivan from Swing Graphics have created a Movember Fundraiser in partnership with DDBCF called, ‘Shave the Date’ to not only raise awareness for men’s health in particular with cancer but also to raise funds for local men battling a cancer diagnosis. Please join with us as ‘A Beacon of Hope’ this Movember.”

The official website for Shave the Date can be found by clicking here: Shave the Date!

To make a donation to a Shave the Date Ambassador – please click here: Pledge Now!

Shave Pledge Sheet  | Official Press Release

Shave Pledge Sheet
Shave Pledge Sheet

 

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David Caldarella | National Cancer Institute | Patient Advocate | David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation

National Cancer Institute Elects David Caldarella as Patient Advocate

Manahawkin, NJ. March 12, 2015 – David Caldarella, founder of David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, has been elected by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services National Cancer Institute (NCI) to serve on the Head & Neck Steering Committee (HNSC) and the Patient Advocate Steering Committee (PASC) as a Patient Advocate. The HNSC functions to harmonize an efficient, cost effective, science-driven and transparent process that will identify and promote the “Best Science” in clinical research and provide incentives to those who participate.  As a Patient Advocate, David will represent the patient community and have involvement in the research development process, including concept and protocol development.

David was diagnosed with Stage IV Head & Neck Cancer on April 20, 2010. He endured several surgeries, radiation, chemotherapy and a multitude of horrific side-effects during his battle with cancer. David received such tremendous support from family, friends and even strangers which fueled his desire to create a nonprofit to “Pay It Forward!” David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation was recognized as a 501c3 charitable organization on August 20, 2010. “David believes in the dream of providing Hope to those patients and families diagnosed with cancer and being the voice for those that have lost their courageous fight with cancer.” As the driving force behind the Foundation, which has donated in excess of $300,000 to cancer patients in just four years of existence, David has proudly served New Jersey families and is truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve at a national level.

The National Cancer Institute was established under the National Cancer Institute Act of 1937 and is the Federal Government’s principal agency for cancer research and training.  NCI leads a national effort to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. Through basic and clinical biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.  The Head & Neck Steering Committee is composed of leading cancer experts and advocates including NCI Senior Investigators and Doctors from University of Pittsburgh, University of California, University of Toronto, Yale University, Duke University, Ohio State University, Johns Hopkins University and Stanford University among many other prestigious institutions.

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID!