Former Olympic Athlete and Coach Leads Funding Effort for Cancer Vaccines

“We are not a charity. We are a crusade to rid the world of cancer— one vaccine at a time.” - Uschi Keszler, founder and CEO of Pennies in Action.

October will be another busy month for Pennies in Action(R), the non-profit whose mission is to educate, advocate, and fund research, development, and trials for Penn Medicine breast surgeon Brian Czerniecki, MD, and the work he is doing for breast cancer vaccines.

October's fundraising events kick off on October 5 with the Ace Cancer Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament at Bucks County Racquet Club, and then move all the way to Florida that same day with the Palm Beach Figure Skating Club’s Regional Send-off and Winter Olympic Preview. From October 24 to October 27, Steve DiOrio, host of the "Steve DiOrio Show," will complete a 250 mile triathlon to raise awareness and funds for the phase III Trial of Dr. Czerniecki’s vaccine, and to close out fundraising initiatives for breast cancer awareness month, on October 30th the Voorhees Middle School will host a basketball shoot off fundraiser. St. Joe’s head basketball coach, Phil Martelli, as well as the wife of Flyers head coach, Kristen Laviolette, will be in attendance.

Uschi learned of the cancer vaccine from Dr. Czerniecki when he performed surgery to treat her breast cancer. As a former élite athlete and tuberculosis survivor, she refused to kill her immune system and diminish her strength while battling cancer, and opted for surgery without chemotherapy or radiation.

Pictured from left to right – Pennies In Action® Crusaders:  Michael Nicholas,  Brian Czerniecki, MD, PhD, Uschi Keszler, MacKenzie Nicholas, and Melissa Nicholas.

As it happened, her decision aligned with Dr. Czerniecki’s research. A vaccine that uses the patients’ own white cells to fight disease by training these cells to attack a protein that early tumors need to survive – and a way to keep breast cancer from coming back.

While Uschi herself was ineligible to enroll in any cancer vaccine trials, she forged a tremendous partnership with Dr. Czerniecki. His brilliance and ability to focus and think quickly on his feet in and out of the operating theatre, reminded her of the elite athletes she both competed with and trained to become champions on a worldwide stage. Uschi’s fortitude refusing to destroy her body in order to heal it, and high-profile status, made her a perfect advocate for Dr. Czerniecki’s vaccine research.

When Dr. Czerniecki asked for her help, Uschi knew she wanted to give it. At first she was unsure how. Her inspiration came when she spotted a penny while biking. “I always pick up pennies,” Uschi said. “I was raised on a saying that ‘he who does not honor the penny, is not worthy of the dollar.’”

Six years after its creation, Uschi and Pennies in Action® have raised many pennies that have added up to many dollars – so many in fact that those dollars are funding a new vaccine trial to prevent breast cancer recurrence at Penn Medicine. From Pennies in Action® local fundraising events around the country to a charity partnership with the Philadelphia Marathon to a placement in a major motion picture– Uschi’s fundraising ingenuity and tenacity has guaranteed there is no place that Pennies is Action cannot go and no goal they cannot reach. Further proof is an international event with the sponsorship of a Kenyan who will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro raising funds for Pennies in Action®.

What sets Pennies in Action® apart is the organization’s minimal overhead and massive professional volunteer base that donates time and lends expertise on a pro bono basis. But it is Uschi who really makes Pennies in Action® so special, and so successful. Her discipline, drive, and determination have resolved her to continue fighting until cancer is history.

“I play to win, I don’t go to a competition to participate, and how do you win? You beat your opponent at its own game,” said Uschi. “Our opponent is cancer- and cancer beats life by emulating regular cells, the way cancer wins is that it never shuts down, but the beauty of the vaccine is that it doesn’t even give recurring cancer cells a chance to become a contender!”

Learn more about Pennies in Action and their upcoming events here.

Learn how you can support Dr. Czerniecki's Cancer Vaccine Research Fund here, or contact Pam Keon at pamkeon@upenn.edu or 215-573-4040.

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Tee Off and Support Cancer Research, Treatment and Survivorship Programs

From the Sarah Rosato Golf Invitational: (from left) Vince Powers, Lt.Col. Brendan Reilly (C'88), Rafael Rosato (C'88), Chris Young

“When I walked out of my last cancer treatment at Penn, my perspective on life had changed. I made the decision right then and there to follow my dream and open my own business. Now that we are up and running, I want to show my deep appreciation and support for the institution that gave me hope and saved my life, while ensuring other men with cancer also have the opportunity to follow their dreams.”
– Ed Tell, testicular cancer survivor, RAZRBAR founder

“My sister, Sarah, was a remarkable young woman from whom I continue to learn about facing challenges with an optimistic view of the future. She was enthusiastic about life and never lost sight of what could be, rather than what is right now. Organizing a charitable golf tournament in her name helps keep her spirit alive in the hearts of many, but most importantly in our own hearts. I could never tell you often enough how grateful we are to the people who have given their time and support to this cause. Sarah would have enjoyed their company and counted them as friends.”
-Raphael Rosato, along with his family, organizes the Sarah Marie Rosato Golf Invitational

Golf Outings to Support Cancer Research and Survivorship Programs

Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center is a place of healing and inspiration – through innovative research and compassionate care, charitable donations provide hope to patients and families.

“Philanthropy is incredibly important to our ability to offer important survivorship care and research to the growing number of cancer survivors,” says Linda Jacobs, PhD, RN, Director, LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center of Excellence at the Abramson Cancer Center. “Philanthropy ensures patients and families are empowered to have the best possible quality of life after treatments and remain cancer-free. We are grateful to our many friends who are dedicated to raising awareness and vital funds to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.”

One way to support cancer research and families at the Abramson Cancer Center is through area golf outings that raise money.

Here are some upcoming golf tournaments to support cancer research at the Abramson Cancer Center:

September 9
J. Lorber Co. Golf Classic: Supporting prostate cancer research

September 23
1st Annual RAZRBAR Golf Classic: Supporting survivorship programs at the Abramson Cancer Center

September 24
David I. Lee Golf Outing: Supporting prostate cancer robotic surgery

September 30
The 21st Annual Jay Sigel Invitational: Supporting cancer research at the AFRCI

9th Annual Sarah Marie Rosato Golf Invitational: Supporting survivorship programs.

Create a Personalized Giving Page at the Abramson Cancer Center

Honor. Remember. Celebrate. Inspire.

Create a personalized and interactive giving page in honor or memory of a family member, friend or loved one; celebrate a special event and inspire others to join you in support of innovative research and world-class patient care at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center.

Penn Giving Pages are the perfect way to raise awareness and philanthropic support for the kinds of cancer research, education and care that matter the most to you.

Get started on your personalized giving page here.

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Foundation Supports Families at the Abramson Cancer Center

It all started with an air mattress.

When Paul Nardoni was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at the age of 27, he and his family saw a unique need.

During his stays at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, Paul witnessed first hand the unparalleled care and attention that is given to a cancer patient. He noticed that their families, including his own, often spent the night sleeping in an uncomfortable chair or a makeshift bed. He discovered that there were no diversions for patients, or their families, during the long and sometimes arduous chemotherapy sessions. Paul longed to remedy those circumstances - for his own family and for the families of all patients. This became the basis of the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation’s mission.

“At the time there were no couches that turned into beds, or room for family members to sleep comfortably in the room,” remembers his mother, Roseann.

About Paul Nardoni

Paul was an executive chef for Holland America Cruise Lines and was working on the Wind Star cruise ship when he became ill and had to return home to New Jersey. Paul was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the fall of 1996.

As his disease progressed, Paul was able to stay active with the help of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Despite frequent hospitalizations, Paul never gave up. And he made sure his family didn’t either.

Paul passed away in 2001 after his 5-year-long battle. But today, his legacy lives on.

The Paul R. Nardoni Foundation

The Nardoni family was inspired to create a unique patient experience for patients and their families at the Abramson Cancer Center. They raised some money to purchase air mattresses for the patient floor so that family members could spend the night with their loved ones.

Then came the videos.

“We’d stop at Blockbuster on the way to the Abramson Cancer Center to pick up videos,” recalls his mother, Roseann. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if there was a video library for patients right here on the patient floor?’ and that is really how our foundation began.“

“As time went on, and needs changes, we established a special needs fund for people who need assistance with things like groceries, utility bills and childcare,” says Roseann.

Today, the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation provides support for families’ needs and wants through a “Carpe Diem Find” that supports patients who need assistance with paying their bills, getting childcare, or even “fun” activities such as attending a Phillies baseball game, or getting family portraits.

The Foundation has no paid staff and all work is performed by volunteers. Almost all events are supported by generous donations enabling the Foundation to keep its cost down around 4 percent. Therefore, 96 percent of every dollar you contribute goes directly to cancer patients and their families.

Since the foundation was founded, it has provided funding to establish programs that provide comfort and aid to cancer patients and their families at Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, and other area hospitals and cancer centers.

“We want to help the patient, and the whole family,” says Roseann. “And I am sure that if Paul was here to see what we are doing today, he’d be thrilled.”

Roseann adds: “Nothing can take away the feeling of loss when you lose a child, but knowing we are helping others with this foundation helps.”

Learn more about the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation

To learn more about the Paul Nardoni Foundation, and to find out how you can make a donation to help others undergoing cancer treatment, visit www.prnfoundation.org.

Help Families at the Abramson Cancer Center

The Abramson Cancer Center is grateful to the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation and other foundations who directly support our patients in need including Bringing Hope Home, Stomp the Monster, The Mary Anne Mazanec Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Sandy Rollman Foundation, Starr Foundation, Fox’s Fight, and Peggy Spiegler Melanoma Research Foundation, just to name just a few.

The Abramson Cancer Center also has a Patient Special Needs Fund to help provide support to patients and families facing financial hardship as a result of diagnosis. We are grateful to the many individual friends and organizations that directly support this fund. Please consider making a gift and easing the burden of cancer for our patients and families with a donation.

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Bringing Hope Home

At the age of 32, while pregnant with her second child. Nicole Isenberg found out she had stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma.

“Nicole gave birth to Gabby and immediately started intense chemotherapy,” remembers her husband Paul. “But we were now faced with a whole new set of challenges, including caring for Nicole and making sure she was getting the best treatment, raising a newborn and a toddler, and the everyday tasks of getting the kids off to school, packing lunches, cleaning the house, and going grocery shopping, all while making sure the bills were somehow paid.”

Fortunate to have a strong support system, Nicole suggested that Paul and his friends, affectionately called the “Great Guys” have a dinner to show thanks, and raise money for cancer organizations.

“Our first Great Guys Dinner raised more than $13,000 for cancer charities,” says Paul. “We were just sales and business guys who wanted to do something good.”

After Nicole lost her 6-year fight with cancer, Paul realized there was an unmet need in the community to help those undergoing cancer treatment with emotional and financial assistance.

“Our research shows that if you get diagnosed with cancer – even if you have health insurance – it can cost anywhere from $20-25 thousand dollars,” says Paul. “While it is great to support larger charities, we wanted to focus on ways we could keep our charity’s dollars in the community, and on a local level.”

Bringing Hope Home

Now called Bringing Hope Home, the organization continues to raise money for families in need. Since 2008, the group has helped more than 1,200 local families battling cancer.

“Electric bills, mortgage payments, groceries and medications – these bills don’t stop when you have cancer,” says Paul. “Our mission is to ease the burden of financial stress by directly paying bills for families.”

Paul says their organization goes a step further – they don’t just pay the bills, they negotiate for a lower rate.

“Last year, we negotiated to get about 25 cents more on the dollar,” says Paul. “We make each dollar stretch because we know how much it means to families.”

Bringing Hope Home works with families at the Abramson Cancer Center and has provided more than $65,000 in direct financial aid to families at the Abramson Cancer Center.

“Families interested in getting support from Bringing Hope Home need to be nominated by their medical and care team,” says Paul. “We review applications and speak with the family directly to assess their needs and learn how we can help.”

The family is given a one-time grant from up to $1,500 that goes directly to the vendors that need attention. This year, Bringing Hope Home hopes to increase the average grant to families from $1,500 to $2,000.

How You Can Help

Help bring hope home to so many families in the Philadelphia region by supporting Bringing Hope Home.

On Wednesday, May 1, the annual Great Guys Dinner will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Valley Forge from 6-9PM. Tickets are $175, and all proceeds go to local families in need of financial assistance during cancer treatment.

Learn more about the Great Guys Dinner.

You can also make a donation to Bringing Hope Home, and help support local families with a one-time donation.

Follow Bringing Home Home on Facebook and Twitter for event information, or see their stories of hope. 

Help Families at the Abramson Cancer Center

The Abramson Cancer Center is grateful to Bringing Hope Home and other foundations who directly support our patients in need including the Paul R. Nardoni Foundation, Stomp the Monster, The Mary Anne Mazanec Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Sandy Rollman Foundation, Starr Foundation, Fox’s Fight, and Peggy Spiegler Melanoma Research Foundation, just to name just a few.

The Abramson Cancer Center also has a Patient Special Needs Fund to help provide support to patients and families facing financial hardship as a result of diagnosis. We are grateful to the many individual friends and organizations that directly support this fund. Please consider making a gift and easing the burden of cancer for our patients and families with a donation.

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Dance Event to Benefit Abramson Cancer Center

Join us for River North Dance Chicago's world premiere of EVA on Thursday, April 4, 2013, 7:30 to 10:00 pm sponsored in part by Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, and presented by Dance Affiliates and the Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

EVA is a dance celebration commission dedicated to the life and music of American legendary vocalist and instrumentalist, Eva Cassidy. Battling melanoma that took her life at 33, she told her mother, "All I want to do when I get well is sing and travel around with my music."  Her album Songbird received triple platinum status in the United Kingdom.

There will also be FREE skin cancer screenings on site at the event by Dr. Karolyn Wanat from Penn Medicine's Department of Dermatology.

Special VIP Package

• Priority seating for the world premiere performance on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 pm ONLY
• Pre-show reception 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm in lower lobby of Annenberg Center with Dr. Lynn Schuchter, leader of the melanoma program at the Abramson Cancer Center
• $50 donation will be sent to the melanoma foundation of your choice

For tickets contact Siobhan Hagan at 215-636-9000 ext. 109 or shagan@danceaffiliates.org.

These tickets are not available at the box office.

Performance Tickets

Select any of the following performances:

• Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 pm; Friday, April 5 at 8 pm; Saturday, April 6 at 2 pm and 8 pm
• 10 percent of the ticket price will go to the foundation of your choice when you choose from the codes below.

Three ways to order

1. In person at the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts Box Office
2. By phone at 215-898-3900
3. Online at www.annenbergcenter.org

Choose a recipient for your contribution:

• Abramson Cancer Center – Promo Code ACC 
• Mark Allen Friedman Foundation – Promo Code MARK
• Peggy Spiegler Melanoma Research Foundation – Promo Code PEGGY
• The Susan Fazio Foundation for Melanoma Research – Promo Code SUSAN
• Fox's Fight – Promo Code FOX

Purchase tickets here.

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Support the Abramson Cancer Center

A gift to the Abramson Cancer Center lives on for a lifetime.

Whether given in memory, in honor, or in celebration of anniversaries, birthdays, or other special occasions, a contribution in the name of a loved one plays an important role in the Abramson Cancer Center 's ongoing ability to support its patients and continue its research.

A tribute gift to the Abramson Cancer Center lives on for a lifetime. Your contribution in the name of a loved one plays a key role in our ongoing ability to support our patients and has allowed us to explore new avenues of targeted research, effective cancer prevention strategies and compassionate approaches to patient care.

Penn has had a tremendous history of understanding cancer as a disease, not only to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, but also to improve on our ability to prevent cancer. Your generosity can make a difference and will support the tremendous strides in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Every day, our cancer researchers and scientists are engaged in trials that can extend and improve lives for countless cancer patients in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Your continued support can further strengthen their efforts by accelerating the pace of discovery and fostering deeper collaborations, while also providing the crucial support needed to bring new, ground-breaking treatments to our patients.

Thank you for making the Abramson Cancer Center part of your philanthropy.
 
Make a donation to the Abramson Cancer Center here.

How Donors Have Helped

Read stories from Abramson Cancer Center donors, and learn how their generosity is funding cancer research and treatment. 

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Young Friends Fund Young Faculty

Dr. Julia Tchou with son at a Young Friends event.

Chef Daniel Stern has helped lead the revolution in Philadelphia’s restaurant scene as chef at some of the city’s premier restaurants — Le Bec Fin, Gayle, Rae, R2L and Mid-Atlantic.

Together with wife, Jennifer, co-chairs Robert Blumenthal, Jonathan Feinberg, David Goldstein, Maria Papadakis, and honorary co-chairs, Judy Abramson Felgoise, Marcy A. Shoemaker, and Nancy A. Wolfson, Stern is now leading the charge to support young faculty members at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center.

The Young Friends of the Abramson Cancer Center supports young faculty members and researchers with funds and resources to help them develop the next generation of cancer therapies, treatments and preventive measures.

Through philanthropy and fundraising events, the group supports clinicians and scientists whose research is often underfunded.

“The Young Friends bring a different perspective to cancer philanthropy,” says Stern. “Cancer affects so many families, and it’s a cause that is very meaningful to me and my family.”

Group members encompass a wide range of ages and interests – from recent college graduates, to men and women with careers in business, real estate and design. Every member of the group has a personal desire to eradicate cancer and improve the lives of those afflicted with the disease.

Support the Young Friends of the Abramson Cancer Center, learn more about the organization here or get involved here,  or email michalg@upenn.edu.

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