Upcoming Fundraisers

SFA Fundraisers

For those interested in putting on a fundraiser, please contact SFA Fundraising Director, Norine Spencer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 301-253-8687.  She can help you get started and will answer any questions you may have.  The SFA has tools for you to use such as our Fundraising Handbook, website assistance and online donations, marketing assistance, and additional tools and suggestions to make the most of your fundraising activities.

Because of the grassroots nature of the SFA, we are relying on your local ingenuity to develop ideas for fundraising for sarcoma research. But rest assured that we will help facilitate your efforts so that you can have a successful event! Possible fundraising ideas can range from a cocktail reception or happy hour, wine tasting, bowling tournament, lemonade stand, garage sale, car wash, organization of a local run/walk, or hosting of a dinner at home, to the staging of larger events like golf tournaments and Gala’s.

The following is a list of Sarcoma Foundation of America fundraisers happening throughout the U.S. to help raise funds to find new treatments for sarcoma. Please get involved!

Ron Giampaolo Memorial

Jan 16, 2012 • Illinois

Ron Giampaolo was born January 29, 1944 to Elmer and Mary (Birsa) Giampaolo in Joliet, Illinois. After graduating high school and enlisting in the army, he worked as a heavy machinery mechanic. Ron loved cars and engines of all kinds. Among the many kinds of cars Ron owned and restored are MG convertibles, classic cars, and he even owned and raced midget race cars on the UARA circuit.

Ron married Joann Doyle, a teacher, on August 3, 1968. They have five children: Betsy (Brian) Dobczyk, Jeff (Gwen), Julie (Dave Daugherty), Jill (Brandon) Brenczewski and Mike (Erin). They also have twelve grandchildren: Caitlin, Emily, Casey, and Brett Dobczyk; Sophia and Maddie Giampaolo; Cameron, Gabby and Addie Daugherty; and Olivia, Alaina and Lila Brenczewski.

Fifteen months ago, Ron was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma of the left leg. He went through radiation and several surgeries and was cancer-free for several months. The cancer spread to his lungs in summer 2011, and after courageously undergoing many more treatments to slow the progression of his disease, Ron was finally at peace on January 16, 2012. Ron's beloved wife Joann was constantly by his side and gave him unwavering love and support throughout. As Ron battled this aggressive cancer, he did so with dignity, humor and incredible strength.



To honor Ron's fighting spirit, his family is planning a silent auction and fundraising event called Ronny Gras, with 100% of the proceeds going to The Sarcoma Foundation to fund research on this rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Michele OCallaghan Memorial

Jan 17, 2012 • New York

Michéle O’Callaghan, 48, had lived in Pleasantville, New York for the last 17 years with her husband Tommy and their three children: Julia, age 14; TJ, age 11; and Mia, age 8.  Born on September 14, 1963, her childhood was spent in Manhattan where she went to St. Joseph Academy grammar school and then to high school at Notre Dame Academy.  In 1985 she graduated from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania.  An interest she had developed in theatre led her to follow a study of Theatre Arts both in the United States and in England.  Michéle went on to be one of the most well-known and popular makeup artists in the entertainment industry.  Highlights of Michéle’s career include being nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her work on Another World and traveling the world working Olympics games for NBC.  Michele’s career spanned all corners of the entertainment world;  The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, Later with Bob Costas, Inside the Actors Studio, The Maury Povich Show and The Late show with David Letterman, both at NBC and CBS, are just a few of the shows that she worked as a proud member of the staff.

While working at NBC, Michéle was introduced to her future husband, Tommy Togneri.  The couple and their children always enjoyed spending time both in Pleasantville and Candlewood Lake, Connecticut. The lake community that Michéle had enjoyed since childhood provided some of their happiest moments and was the site of their wedding in 1995.  Michéle was an avid athlete who water skied, jogged and took kick boxing classes so when her leg began to bother her in February of 2010, she thought it was a sports related injury.  She would learn that it was a rare form of cancer called Soft Tissue Sarcoma.  Michéle battled this horrible disease the same way she did everything in life, with a positive energy that inspired those around her.  Michéle was a unique spirit that worked with some of the most famous people on the planet. Presidents, star athletes, and the biggest names in Hollywood all knew and respected Michéle.  Her loss has been felt deeply throughout the entertainment industry.  When the disease finally compromised her lungs this past December, Michéle passed away on December 16, 2011.  If you wish to read more about this remarkable woman, please CLICK HERE.  Also please view the three on air tributes that were given about Michéle by Bob Costas, Keith Olberman and David Letterman:  Click to watch videos.

You can make a donation online in Michéle’s name, which will help fund new sarcoma research, by clicking the DONATE HERE button below.  If you would prefer to mail your gift instead, please CLICK HERE to print a form that can be completed and mailed with your gift.

Loving you each day! Remembering you on Valentines Day!

Feb 14, 2012 • Nationwide

The Sarcoma Foundation of America invites you to join our Loving you each day! Remembering you on Valentine’s Day! tribute. Share a photo of your Valentine in honor or in memory of their life and love. The photo of your Valentine will be highlighted in a slideshow presentation on the SFA web site and SFA Facebook page from Valentine’s Day through February 29th (sample presentation below). All photos received by February 12 will be on our website for Valentine’s Day! Photos will be added weekly.

SFA is committed daily to finding the cure for sarcoma in our lifetime by advocating for increased research to find new and better therapies with which to treat patients with sarcoma. You can support increased research to find the cure for sarcoma by including a tax-deductible donation with your Valentine’s photo.

Step 1: CLICK HERE to make your donation (optional).
Step 2: Email the photo of your loved one with name to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). By submitting your photo, you are agreeing to the following:
For valuable consideration received, I hereby grant to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, Inc. and his/her legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs of me, or in which I may be included, for editorial, trade, advertising and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same. I hereby release Sarcoma Foundation of America, Inc. and his/her legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said photographs.

♥ ♥ Happy Valentine’s Day from the Sarcoma Foundation of America! ♥ ♥

Sample Presentation:

2012 Annual Gala and Educational Conference

Apr 29, 2012 • New York

For more information on the Gala and Educational Conference, please CLICK HERE

9th Annual Bassett Golf Classic

Jun 12, 2012 • Connecticut

Each year Bassett Furniture gathers its network together for a day of golf with family and friends to raise funds to support an important cause in their community. Bassett believes in giving back and this year’s event supports a cause that is near and dear to their hearts, sarcoma cancer research.

This year, the 9th annual tournament will be at Wallingford Country Club on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. The tournament will include lunch at 11:00 and a shotgun start at 12:30, with dinner, open bar, raffle, and an auction.

Bud’s Run 5K, A Celebration of Life

Jun 23, 2012 • Illinois

The 9th Annual Bud’s Run is eagerly being planned.  Bud’s Run is a 5K Run/Walk that remembers and honors Bud Swanson and those that have “moved on” as a result of sarcoma.  Bud loved to run and to race and he loved coaching runners.  Bud’s Run is a joyous gathering of runners, friends of runners, and those who understand that life is precious and deserves celebration every day.

For more information, please visit http://www.budsrun.org

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Programs & Resources