A ROLLING FUNDRAISER TO BEAT PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER.
Youngstown, OH, September 6, 2019—September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Continuing in its fight against pediatric brain cancer, the Northeast Ohio chapter of The Cure Starts Now is hosting the 2019 Homerun Cure Bocce Social, September 14, 2019, at Cassese’s MVR in Youngstown. Proceeds from this fourth annual event go to The Cure Starts Now to fund pediatric brain cancer research and in honor of the memory of Kasey Mikes.
Kasey was an Ohio ten-year-old who, in May of 2016, was diagnosed with DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), a fatal brain cancer with no effective treatment. She fought with gentle bravery and strength for 17 months, passing away in August 2017. Kasey was silly and funny and loved to express herself in art, cheerleading, swimming, singing, and dancing. Kasey was a twin sister to Caleigh, currently 13.
The 2019 Homerun Cure Bocce Social rolls from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 14, at Cassese’s MVR. There are bocce and cornhole (for those who would rather toss than roll), auctions and raffles, lunch buffet, live music by Sheila Kidd, Simple Truth, and the John Reese Duo (featuring Jack Ciarniello), and a meet and greet with Youngstown native Mark Malaska, member of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.
The meet and greet with Mark Malaska runs from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Advanced online registration: adults - $30, children (10 and under) - $20; Online registration is encouraged, tickets at the door will be $35. Register online at csnevents.org/bocce until September 12.
The Homerun Cure Bocce Social is not a tournament, and sign-ups will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Cassese’s MVR now has four courts for bocce action. Cassese’s MVR is located at 140 Walnut Street, Youngstown, OH. Please go to csnevents.org/bocce for complete details.
The Northeast Ohio Chapter of The Cure Starts Now was established by Jane Kempe Midgley, a lifetime resident of Boardman. She started the fundraising chapter in May 2106 when a young member of her family was given a fatal diagnosis of pediatric brain cancer. Like many of the families who volunteer for The Cure Starts Now, Jane says "We don't ever want another family to experience the pain and heartache of watching a child go through cancer treatment or experience this type of heart-wrenching loss. “
The Northeast Ohio chapter has raised over $190,000 for pediatric brain cancer research the last three years. Midgley is honored by the support her work has received. “ The Youngstown community has been enormously generous over the last couple years. We are the epitome of ‘those with the least give the most,’ especially when it comes to children.”
The Cure Starts Now (501c3 Federal Non-Profit) is dedicated to finding the Homerun Cure for all cancers, starting first with one of the most deadly and difficult cancers: DIPG. Many experts believe that the lessons we learn from fighting this pediatric brain cancer provide the initial steps in winning the battle against all forms of cancer, both pediatric and adult. Thanks to the efforts and support of individuals and companies around the world through events like the 2019 Homerun Cure Bocce Social, The Cure Starts Now has funded over $12.5 million in research grants around the world.
To find out more about how you can help the cause in Youngstown – and throughout Northeast Ohio, swing by donate2csn.org/ohio-northeast/ .
