The Victoria Rose Fund

Wow, just WOW, the “Good Juju” was definitely flowing in the room yesterday at the 12th Annual VRF Benefit #TeamJulia. Yesterday truly was a great success due to the unbelievable generosity and support from all of donors and all who attended - we couldn’t have accomplished this without you guys! Seeing that smile on Juju’s face yesterday, which most of us there would say the same, was the highLIGHT of the day. Shout out to the Michael Monastra, Jr., CFA? , RICP? , ChFC?and the Monastra Financial Group for their part in fundraising a large amount at their Annual Monastra Golf Outing contributing to the overall total raised. We are grateful for their team and all the businesses/individuals who donated a “hole” for Team Julia! Special thanks to our partnership; the kind and wonderful ALL OUT Parking Lots crew behind the scenes in the morning working their butts off to make everything look so nice, their tireless volunteer efforts during the event, and their beyond generous monetary donation. THANKS TO EVERYONE, we made (rounded up; just to be transparent, I added 6 dollars!) ... DRUM ROLL PLEASE ... 16K for Julia and the Siegfried family!!!!!!!!!!! ??seriously, UNREAL Sweet Julia "Juju" is doing another block of immunotherapy for 28 days in the next few weeks where she will be inpatient for a few days when she starts the medication. She then will move into the maintenance phase of her treatment which will be a little over a year long. This phase should be a bit easier but will consist of taking chemotherapy daily by mouth, weekly by mouth, and by port once a month. Her Mother Grace explained that she is starting to get a bit of normalcy again but still has a ways to go until the finish line. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers! Thanks again to each and everyone of you who contributed to this benefit in any way shape or form as I know how much this is going to help Julias family financially; ultimately removing one burden off their back while they focus on Julias care. I wish I could fully express how grateful I am for you all in words but that's not possible so all I can say is thank you, YOU DID THIS, and God Bless!! Mike Marotta Kevin McGarvey Marco Menna Tom McPhillips Richard J. Varrasse Joni Ward Bobby Argeros Andie Dando Sarah Gelet Kathleen Winkelman Javier Valdez Kyle Hayman Brendan Kelly Brendan O'Sullivan #teamjulia #goodjuju #12thannualvrfbenefit #leukemiawarrior #leuekemiaawareness #childhoodcancerawareness #gratitude #thankyou #stpadrepio #stperegrine #noonefightsalone #goALLOUTforcancer #strongertogether

?? #Decarbonization My friend Lance Kawaguchi continues to gain global attention ?? For innovation ? For sustainability ? _______ According to #ScienceDirect ?? "Climate mitigation and adaptation is cancer prevention and control" Read more of this abstract ?? ?? https://lnkd.in/gvDQUyuZ ________ We lost my Dad, Donald Schuler, in January 2022 to #braincancer. I will never stop advocating for him. I will never stop advocating for you. Will you join me? _______ ?? #endcancer #glioblastoma #gbm #scoutlife #griefjourney #griefrecovery #pancreaticcancer MD Anderson Cancer Center Lauren Long

As of this morning, WE officially sent 200 packages to cancer patients!!! I AM SO PROUD OF THIS for so many reasons but the story behind this heart-felt initiative is why I absolutely love this program... Our UPLIFT program is our most productive project in which we send toys, care products, and inspirational items to those around the Nation battling cancer and need an uplift during their difficult time. I accomplished my chemotherapy treatments at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia due to being diagnosed with a malignant childhood brain tumor, Medulloblastoma. It was pretty normal that my Mom and I would spend an hour (sometimes more) in the waiting area before I started a round of chemo. I felt a certain way being 21 years old and being in a pediatric oncology department. During this time, we met many brave children and their families. Gaining close relationships with many of them and then sometimes not seeing them ever again due to this disease was beyond difficult. We would bring small toys/gifts in for the kids undergoing treatments. I'm tearing up writing, this but I really loved talking with them, trying to make them laugh, and giving them positive affirmations - telling them that they were strong, that they were brave, and that they were my superhero(s)! Seeing the joy on their face melted my heart and gave me the “push” to battle my own cancer diagnosis. I wanted them to look up to me, to be an example for them; showing them if I can do it, THEY CAN DO IT! Due to that plus a very special 8-yr-old boy, Christian (who had the same type of brain) is why I run this specific program. Christian and I had the same radiation schedule (across the street from CHOP at Penn Medicine) and my Mom and I would sit with him and his family every day for a good 6 weeks as we would wait to go back for treatment. We would constantly run into them Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for over a year; they became family. We would bring Christian a small gift every Friday and his face would light up. I became very attached to him and he was more than just a friend to me; he was a pillar of inspiration and a divine God-given gift of hope... Read the full story here (as it is lengthy): ??https://lnkd.in/eiMXPCr8 In 2023 I started out with 5 small items from the Dollar Store and a St. Peregrine card. I put 1 little package together for a sweet girl Oakley battling Leukemia in CA. I had no idea what I was starting. It then became about 2 or 3 per month and exceeded as months went on. It's amazing to see how far this simple idea/gesture has come. It means everything to me and I am so very grateful for EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has donated over the years and continues to show support. YOU ALL have made this program such a success and I am forever grateful for your kindness and generosity! HUGE THANKS?? to the team behind the packages ALL OUT Parking Lots Kevin McGarvey Tom McPhillips Marco Menna Bobby Argeros Andie Dando Sarah Gelet Javier Valdez +more!

?GIVEBACK AND GIVEAWAY ALERT ? THE VICTORIA ROSE FUND'S CHRISTMAS FOR A CAUSE Let's start the Holiday season by spreading some hope and good cheer to those who may not be feeling too joyful this Christmas! Donate $10 via venmo @victoriarosefund ??bring a smile to a cancer fighter this holiday ?? you'll automatically be in the pool to win TWO LOWER LEVEL Flyers tickets! ??????? *miniumum donation of $10* *winner will be announced December 10th* Check it out ?? https://lnkd.in/e5Q3Mmy5 ALWAYS grateful to the all-star squad for partnering with us... ?? ALL OUT Parking Lots ?? Tom McPhillips Marco Menna Kevin McGarvey Kathleen Winkelman Sarah Gelet Bobby Argeros Andie Dando Kyle Hayman Brendan Kelly Javier Valdez and thanks to Alyssa Sanders, MBA for your kindness over the years! #upliftingothers #upliftsomeonetoday #vrfuplift #vrf #cancerfighters #ayacancerpatients #cancerpatients #childhoodcancerawareness #braincancerawareness #prayersofhope #spreadprayer #stpadrepio #stperegrine #noonefightsalone #UPLIFT #giveback #payitforward #goALLOUTforcancer #strongertogether #flyguys #philadelphiaflyers #christmasforacause #supportthecause

THE CUTEST smile to start the weekend! Happy Friday everyone from this handsome little dude... Amia! ?????? #neuroblastomawarriors #childhoodcancerawareness #nochildleftbehind #upliftingothers #upliftsomeonetoday #vrfuplift #vrf #cancerfighters #ayacancerpatients #cancerpatients #childhoodcancerawareness #braincancerawareness #prayersofhope #spreadprayer #stpadrepio #stperegrine #noonefightsalone #UPLIFT #giveback #payitforward #goALLOUTforcancer #strongertogether creating smiles is kinda like their thing... ALL OUT Parking Lots Kevin McGarvey Tom McPhillips Marco Menna Bobby Argeros Kathleen Winkelman Andie Dando Sarah Gelet Brendan Kelly Javier Valdez

We are starting to get things together for our Christmas-themed Uplift packages for cancer patients around the U.S. This year my friend Lisa, who oversees the St. Demetrios Goya Youth Group in Delaware County, will have the youth group write customized inspirational cards for these warriors and help with items for the packages; so very kind of them! Thanks to Alyssa Sanders, MBA (Philadelphia Flyers Tickets Operation Coordinator) we will be giving away 2 Lower Level Flyers Tickets to any home game for the 2024-2025 season to a lucky donor! Here's how it works ???Fill out your info: https://bit.ly/3YGjzRp ???Donate $10 via Venmo or cash to me in person. ???On December 10th I will pick from my raffle machine live with the random winner! Your donation goes directly toward the patient's UPLIFT package filled with Christmas-themed merch, toys, and religious items. Please help create some hope for cancer patients who need an extra UPLIFT this Holiday Season and maybe win some free Philadelphia Flyers????tickets by participating in our Christmas for a Cause giveaway event! Thank you all for your continued support as you all are the heart ?? of this nonprofit! Extra GRATEFUL for the team at ALL OUT Parking Lots?{Kevin McGarvey Marco Menna Kathleen Winkelman Brendan Kelly Andie Dando Tom McPhillips Bobby Argeros Sarah Gelet Javier Valdez Kyle Hayman} for their ongoing support! It's more than just a smile! ?? https://lnkd.in/eBG5Xd5X #upliftingothers #upliftsomeonetoday #vrfuplift #vrf #cancerfighters #smallnonprofits #nonprofitsforacause #ayacancerpatients #cancerpatients #childhoodcancerawareness #braincancerawareness #cancerwarriors #philadelphiaflyers #prayersofhope #spreadprayer #stpadrepio #stperegrine #noonefightsalone #UPLIFT #forthecause #giveback #payitforward #goALLOUTforcancer #strongertogether

Just because Breast Cancer Awareness Month is over (or any cancer awareness month at that) doesn't mean we stop advocating for the cause. My friend Aubrey is an absolute warrior and I am asking for support, prayers, and just postive vibes as she begins her arduous battle. ????Aubrey Shea YOU GOT THIS !! #forthecause #strongwomen #noonefightsalone #prayerrequest #prayerwarriors #prayerheals #stpadrepio #stperrigrine #breastcancerawareness #braincancerawareness #allcancersmatter #canceradvocates #payitforward #wegoALLOUTforcancer #goALLOUT ALL OUT Parking Lots

I think for most of us going through anything tough in life, whether it’s a loss, a sickness, disappointment, or whatever challenge you are facing, can really take a toll on our mental health. I know firsthand that during treatment cancer patients feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety that usually increases as they accomplish their plan of care. A smile can trigger the release of positive neurotransmitters (basically our body's messenger; they carry messages from one nerve cell across a space to the next nerve, gland, or muscle cell. These messages control your stress response, help you keep your heart beating, feel sensations, move your limbs, and respond to all information your body receives from your environment and other parts of your body) which can help lower anxiety and stress levels, reducing negative emotions and improving mood. Our Uplift Program aims to help create smiles for these patients to hopefully lighten their day with a simple smile that can make a huge difference! Thank you to all who continue to keep this program afloat with your generous donations! If you’d like to learn more about our Uplift Program or help with this cause, please get in touch with us: ?https://lnkd.in/eSQYSPY7 Much love to our partnership that continues to help with these SMILES; we are so grateful for you all! ??ALL OUT Parking Lots Kevin McGarvey Marco Menna Tom McPhillips Sarah Gelet Bobby Argeros Andie Dando Kathleen Winkelman Javier Valdez Brendan Kelly Kyle Hayman #helpthecause #upliftingothers #upliftsomeonetoday #vrfuplift #cancerfighters #ayacancerpatients #cancerpatients #childhoodcancerawareness #braincancerawareness #prayersofhope #spreadprayer #stpadrepio #stperegrine #noonefightsalone #UPLIFT #giveback #payitforward #goALLOUTforcancer #strongertogether

Today I had the opportunity to give the total proceeds check from the 12th Annual VRF Benefit TEAM JULIA to Grace, Julia’s mom.?Sitting and talking to once strangers now friends, I felt such a “meant to be” feeling with Grace and Juju. It was not a coincidence to have met months ago through our Uplift Program and then later realizing we had multiple mutual friends. I believe God uses me (intertwined with all who contribute to this nonprofit) as a vessel to help others going through their cancer journey; especially children like sweet Juju. Couldn’t have done this without all who donated and helped out. Please know how thankful I am for your efforts whether big or small it was astonishing to see. ? Today my heart was bursting with a few emotions: excitement, pure joy, and gratitude.?The excitement was handing the extremely generous and helpful check to Grace – the pure joy was seeing the look on Grace's face and Juju laughing while eating her spaghetti – and the GRATITUDE was me tearing up (feeling like I was in the Twilight Zone for a second there, thanking God that I am able to even function post cancer) as I watched them; knowing that WE ALL truly made a lasting impact in their lives in such a time of need.?What a feeling. Grace has such a sweet heart (I can see where Juju gets it!) and was beyond grateful for what we accomplished as a team and community through the benefit.?That made me tear up even more! We were finishing up and the waitress came over and said OH she (Juju) gets a dessert with her meal and so Juju said she wanted ice cream. Then, just as God had planned it, a random older woman came up to us and said she wanted to pay for Juju’s ice cream and meal.?As Grace and I were in shock and so thankful, she began to tell us that she was in remission from Breast Cancer and a form of Leukemia. Her light was bright and cheery and made all three of us smile. She talked with us for quite some time and showed us pictures of her Grandkids. As she sat back down, I asked for the rest of the bill and had to run out to my car real quick. When I came back, I sat down at the table and asked Grace where did the check go? She said oh, Tori, that lady decided to take it when you went out and I tried to stop her, but she refused.?A complete stranger, another little angel from God, came down today to share her story and show us some kindness.?This doesn't JUST HAPPEN. God sends his angels daily; sometimes we need to stop for a minute to see them. Julia's journey doesn't end here as she continues to be an inpatient, goes to clinic, and will soon start her maintenance chemo phase. Prayers are always needed! Shout out to all of our donors, community, friends, and family who make this what it is every single year, a true LIGHT OF HOPE! ??? ?Michael Monastra, Jr., CFA? , RICP? , ChFC? ?ALL OUT Parking Lots & Team: Kevin McGarvey Marco Menna Tom McPhillips Bobby Argeros Sarah Gelet Kathleen Winkelman Andie Dando Javier Valdez Brendan Kelly Kyle Hayman

For #breastcancerawarenessmonth I want to bring awareness to the difficulties regarding approval for breast screening and mammograms. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. According to the Breast Cancer Foundation, “In the U.S., insurers are required to cover annual mammograms for women 40 and over. So here's my problem, why are U.S. insurers not required to cover annual mammograms for someone who is 39? Think about it, not all states or insurances allow women under 40 to get a mammogram. Only 10% of breast cancer is genetic and many breast cancers ARE NOT inherited. 75% of cases occur in women with no family history of the disease at all.?These women and others that are “not high risk,” under 40, or have no pre-existing conditions have to fight to get authorization to have a mammogram? How can a whole cluster of a demographic that MAY have breast cancer won't have authorization to get screening because it doesn't run in their family or “they’re not at risk?" Thanks to Dr. Amy Patel, medical director of the Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital (MO), for bringing this very prominent issue to light. Dr. Patel is pushing for more extensive research into younger women regarding breast cancer. She says that “breast cancer among younger women is rising and motivating more extensive research into appropriate screening ages,” said Dr. Patel. She recommends that all women, regardless of racial or ethnic background, should undergo a breast cancer risk assessment by age 25. Though breast cancer in women under 30 is less common, the risk increases with age." As of Sept. 2024, all U.S. states are required (by the FDA) to inform women about their breast density, advising them to consider additional screenings like an ultrasound or a breast MRI. That can be very difficult and sometimes impossible for those without a pre-existing condition, high-risk factors, or even those who don’t have insurance. It’s pretty sad that for a lot of women here in the US, having decent insurance coverage could be a deciding factor on whether they will get checked or not. Dr. Patel goes on to say "Many insurance plans cover baseline mammograms between the ages of 35 and 39 and annual screenings at 40. However, for screening like MRIs or ultrasounds, coverage can be limited, especially for women at average risk. We believe early detection is a key investment in women’s health, so we have pushed to pass laws in Missouri that require insurance coverage for screenings.” At Dr. Patel's Breast Care Center at Liberty Hospital in MO, she and her staff offer all women under age 40 a free risk assessment.? I am inspired that this team is trying to do something about this problem. I am praying that other medical experts, advocates, and state/local/federal legislators can join the effort and push to pass this law in all 50 states. EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!