Foundation update year 2021

A Clark, New Jersey Nonprofit Foundation established in 2009

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Year Ending 2021……..to all our friends and family………..

As we close out the year 2021, it brought many challenges to everyone and sadly continued into 2022.

The virus prevented us from holding any fundraising events for our foundation but through the continued donation support from our friends and family we were able to grant a few wishes.

We continue to coordinate wish requests with Make a Wish and Embrace kids foundation both located in New Jersey.

We recognize it was and continues to be a stressful time. Looking forward to when we might be able to hold another Comedy Night fundraiser.

Have a very happy and healthy New Year………..

Kathy, Tom, Bryan, and Terry

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2020................

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Dear Family & Friends,

As we reflect on 2020, it was a year of many challenges for everyone. We never envisioned that the United States would be in a lockdown and isolation from a deadly disease called Covid 19. We hope and pray that each of you managed to find a way to maneuver life and stay well during the health crisis.

We are now onto a new year … 2021. Hopefully, with the vaccine, we can move forward slowly and return to some sense of normalcy. Although most things during 2020 were put on hold, we were able to coordinate wishes and family support virtually. Michael’s Foundation continues to work closely with two organizations. Make a Wish and Embrace Kids who were our support while Michael battled cancer. Based on your support of our April 2019 Comedy Event, personal donations, online

Friend’s fundraising events, and Amazon Smile, we were able to grant Two wishes.

A Shih Tzu puppy for 7 year old Alexi who is fighting cancer

Cyber Power gaming system for 13 year Rishab who is fighting Leukemia

Since our future for planning large gatherings remains unknown, we are hopeful that in 2022 we might be able to host a comedy event bringing our friends and families together again.

We look forward to a bright future for all. “Our kindness and compassion to the things and people we hold dear is what protects and inspires us to go on”.

Thank you for your continued support. It means more than words can say!

Stay Safe!

Tom, Kathy, Bryan Denora, and Terry Baron

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A Night of Laughs

A Comedy Show Benefit for Kids Fighting Cancer

Kenilworth Veteran's Center

April 6, 2019

“The greatest gift of all is one that helps others

and gives hope for a greater tomorrow”

MICHAEL C. DENORA FOUNDATION

10^th Anniversary

2009 – 2019

Dear Family & Friends,

Tonight we are here to reflect on our foundation’s support over a number of years for children battling cancer. This year marks a very special milestone for our foundation. Our 10^th Anniversary!

The year Michael passed away the Pediatric Cancer Institute in New Brunswick lost 20 children. Extremely high for one year. Yes, the death rate for childhood cancer has declined since 2008 due to improvements in treatment and high rates of participation in clinical trials but research needs to continue. We, as a foundation, have consciously decided to support wishes and family needs but also to continue to support Pediatric cancer research.

Cheers to a fun filled evening! Tom, Kathy, Bryan and Terry B.

Our Foundation Story…YEARS OF WISHES AND SUPPORT FOR KIDS BATTLING CANCER

As we look back on 2009 to now, we have supported many wishes, scholarships, college books, college dorm needs, Thanksgiving luncheons, hospital room proms, treasure chest gifts, gift cards, a car, family needs, trips, local outings, shopping sprees, puppies, limo rides, birthday parties and continued support towards pediatric cancer research at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

“A wish of any kind has the unique ability to transform a child and their family’s lives during their most difficult trials. It’s an opportunity of hope and vision to experience something beyond illness”.

Our support for children battling cancer continued during 2017 thanks to our successful Comedy Nite Benefit held on September 30, 2017.

FOUNDATION NEWS 2017

Wishes

“One of the greatest things you can do for a child fighting a terrible illness is to grant a wish (big or small) when their life seems to have so little happiness”.

We granted at Puppy Wish for 11 year Daniel with Hodkin’s Lymphoma. His wish was for a Havanese puppy. This wish was special to us since we understood how helpful a puppy could be to a child fighting cancer. Great diversion for the whole family. The puppy arrived April 28, 2017. Daniel named him Lucky. When granting a puppy wish, it is not only the puppy but all the supplies and of course, initial vet clearance.

Vincenzo, who is 20 years old, was recently diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His wish was to continue a yearly tradition with his close friends to attend Wizard World Comic Con in Philadelphia.

This event was new to us but after some research it was a perfect wish. The foundation purchased four tickets to the weekend event, including spending money for whatever they needed to enjoy their time together.

Naneisha, 14 years old was diagnosed with Pulmonary Blastoma in September, 2015. Her battle continues today. Naneisha’s family was planning a Quincineara (15^th year Birthday) Celebration for her in June. Her disease was progressing so her family wanted this to be extra special. Our foundation helped by providing a limo for her and her family to this very special celebration.

Jonathan - Rutgers University

Jonathan was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 15 and over the years we have watched him grow into the young caring man he is today. Tom and I met Jonathan at the embrace kids 25^th Anniversary Celebration last November. He was one of the emcees for the evening and what a fantastic job he did raising money that night for the children in need. Since embrace kids was there for him when his battle began, he wants to give back and help where/how he can. Jonathan will be entering his senior year at Rutgers University. Our support for Jonathan continues via gift cards to purchase books needed for his studies.

Christmas

For the Christmas holidays, thanks to you, we were again able to provide Amazon gift cards for teenage patients.

As we looked back to our first Comedy Benefit in October, 2010 thru today, we realized as a Foundation we were able to help bring smiles to so many children during the most difficult time in their life. You made this happen because of your generosity to Michael’s Foundation.

Below is a summary of where we were able to make a difference in children’s lives.

Thanksgiving Day Luncheon, Senior Prom at the Hospital, Gift cards, gas cards, Christmas Holiday presents for families, Christmas gift cards for the teenagers, contributed to the purchase of a used car for a teenage patient, scholarship sponsorship, books for a Rutgers student, shopping sprees, iPads, apple watch, Christmas gifts for the clinic, St. Jude Children’s hospital.

Through all that life has thrown at these children from the very young to the young adult patients, they have the drive to win the battle. They don’t want to be defined by their illness. Their lives were changed forever by cancer but they manage to smile and move forward making the best of every day.

2015

"The greatest gift of all is one that helps others and gives hope for a greater tomorrow"

Welcome to our 6^th Annual Comedy Night Benefit and Raffle Fundraiser. We thank you very much for joining us this evening. Your generosity in tonight’s event keeps alive Michael’s wish to help children and young adults battling pediatric cancer as well as supporting Pediatric Cancer research.

Hope the evening brings “Lots of Laughs”

Tom, Kathy & Bryan Denora

Honoring the Nurses

An “Evening for the Kids” is an annual event held by embrace kids foundation. In 2014, the Event was held in November. Tom and I attended the event honoring the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology nurses who are the backbone of the medical program. We know so many of these wonderful nurses. When Michael was sick, they were our extended family supporting not only Michael but us as well.

Foundation News

Wishes

This year we granted a wish to a local little girl in our hometown of Little Egg Harbor. Lily Rose is five years old and was diagnosed with aggressive neuroblastoma, a stage IV cancer. I reached out to Lily’s school teacher and was able to connect with her parents. Lily’s wish was for new clothes for the summer and anything Disney for Minnie Mouse & Frozen. In addition to her new clothes, I went on a buying spree for the Disney things. Most important request was a Roller Luggage bag for when she goes to the hospital. Due to Lily’s surgeries and hospital stays, I didn’t meet her personally but her teacher delivered the items for us. In addition to the items for Lily, we provided a bank card for gas as she is being treated at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Naomi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2010 and has relapsed twice. Naomi will be attending high school this year. Her wish was a shopping spree for new clothes to start high school and a mini ipad . Naomi and her family face their challenges and don’t get down about their circumstances.

For the Little Ones

Over the years we have stayed close to one of Michael’s nurses who works in the Clinic. During a conversation with her we found that the children really wanted a sand table to play with during their visits. We purchased a magnetic Sea Life table for them and it was a big hit. Along with the sand table we filled their “treasure chest” with gifts that they can take home after treatment.

Thanksgiving

As in the past years, Michael’s Foundation continues to support the holidays. Thanksgiving has become our tradition of being part of the luncheon at the hospital. Being in the hospital on a normal day is difficult but spending the holidays there is so much harder. This is their celebration and a moment to forget their illness.

Christmas

Thanks to your generousity last year, we were again able to provide “Christmas surprise” gift cards to 10 teenage patients in the amount of $250.00 each. Needless to say, they were so happy to have money to spend.

Prom Night – May 29^th

As families have traditions, our foundation has established them as well. Prom Night has become an important part of what we support. The request this year was for an “Apple Watch”. Unsure if we would secure the watch for the prom we were “wait” listed and to our surprise received it one week before the prom. We made the winner very happy!!

Scholarship Sponsorship – On Going

Ashelyn – Penn State University

Ashelyn, our scholarship recipient completed her sophomore of year of college! Ashelyn is a driven individual. She was a research assistant in a study that involves a virus that kills breast cancer cells and tumors in mice. This study has encouraged her to focus on becoming the doctor she has dreamed to be. She attended summer classes and is looking forward to her junior year at Penn State as well as continuing to work on cancer research.

Jonathan – Rutgers University

Jonathan had a great freshman year at Rutgers and did really well in his classes – 3.5 gpa for the year!! He participated as a dancer in the Rutgers Dance Marathon for embrace kids as well as other embrace kids events. Jonathan is also a driven individual and took summer classes this year. Our support for Jonathan continues via gift cards to purchase all needed books for his studies.

2013 News:

Foundation Wish Program

The Michael C. Denora Foundation is pleased to announce our Wish Granting Program for
children and young adults diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer. Our Wish Program is currently coordinating wish requests thru Embrace Kids Foundation and the Bristol Myers Squibb Childrens Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ.

Please Note: Our Wish Grant Program has been established for children or young adults diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer. Wishes fall into TWO categories. First Wishes will be granted for those young adults diagnosed with childhood cancer between the ages of 18 – 21 years. Second
Wishes will be granted for a child or young adult with recurrence of cancer between the ages of 13 – 21 years.

If you need more information about our Wish Program, please contact our foundation

at 732-388-3126.

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Dear Family, Friends and Business Supporters,

Michael was an extremely fun loving young man focused on building his life when cancer struck him for the third time. Michael changed during this time from a teenager to a young man concerned about the kids younger than him fighting cancer. I watched him approach his surgery, treatments and decisions with strength beyond his years. He still hoped for that miracle and the means to cure Pediatric Cancer. Sadly, Michael lost his battle on December 4, 2008.

With Michael’s hopes and dreams as the driving force, we needed to begin raising money to help these special children. To date, we have held a number of successful fundraisers. A trip to Atlantic City in honor of Michael’s 24th birthday, a Jewelry Party in 2009, Bowling with Friends in May, 2010, and a Comedy Night Benefit in October to end the year.

It has been over a year since we established Michael’s Foundation and the outpouring of support and donations to help these special children has been truly amazing. Thru your generosity, we were able to help a number of children and their families in 2009 and 2010. The support and attendance at these first critical events was overwhelming

---2009---

Holiday Wishes of needed items to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

A donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital for pediatric cancer research.

---2010---

A Wish to help transform a hospital room into a Senior Prom attended by family, friends and hospital staff. It was a magical evening for everyone.

Foundation funding in support of Embrace Kids Thanksgiving Day Lunch for the children, families and hospital staff celebrating in the hospital and gift cards for the families.

Holiday Gift Wishes for the children coordinated with Embrace Kids Foundation.Christmas Gifts to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey to help pass time for the children during treatments.

Local support of “Jason’s Friends”. A 7 year old Clark resident fighting stage 4 cancer.

Continued support of Pediatric Cancer Research at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

---2011---

Our vision for 2011 is to continue working closely with the same organizations to assure that we meet the needs of Kids fighting cancer. For those of you who knew Michael, he loved parties, so we plan to help with the Thanksgiving Luncheon again and expand our support with Embrace Kids on a Scholarship Sponsorship program.

Our foundation vision remains committed to support the needs of the children and families battling cancer while looking forward to expand our research contributions in support of Pediatric Cancers.

Thank you for your continued support of Michael’s hopes and dreams for these special children.

As we brainstormed ideas for 2011, we decided on Bowling again in May and our Second Annual Comedy Benefit for October.

---2012---

Our Foundation's vision for 2012 is to continue support of the Thanksgiving Day Luncheon, the Embrace Kids Scholarship Program, gifts at Christmas time to the Pediatric Clinic at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, their patient families, and St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Michael C. Denora Foundation Board Members
Kathy Denora, President Terry Baron, Secretary		Tom Denora, Vice President / Treasurer