“Make the Magic Benefit” for University Of Pennsylvania Branch of Camp Kesem

The benefit is the largest fundraising event for Camp Kesem.

Giving Thanks: How One Nonprofit is Helping Cancer Patients See Life Anew

After 12 years of helping families struggling with cancer, 'For Pete's Sake' has received its largest donation ever.

"Though I'll never say that being diagnosed with cancer was a blessing, there have been moments, people, places, and experiences that have made me feel blessed since my diagnosis." Reading through the hundreds of entries on the nonprofit For Pete's Sake webpage, those words, written by 34-year-old Gina Etzrodt, stand out amongst submissions from cancer patients, survivors, and those who lost their battle to the disease. Many of their stories follow similar paths – A stage-3 colon cancer diagnosis at 33. A 40-year-old mother of two diagnosed with breast cancer. Mounting medical bills. Lives turned upside. Children wondering if Dad is well enough to have a game of catch. They all have something in common as well. Trips to Florida and …

• Photos (3)

Breast Cancer in Men

This year, the American Cancer Society estimates 2,190 new cases of invasive breast cancer in men in this country. They estimate 410 men will die.

Allen Wilson doesn’t mind being a poster child for a pink cause. “Exploit me,” he said. Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 when he was 51. Now he’s using his experience to save other grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers and uncles. Wilson, of Houston, noticed a lump under his nipple, but he ignored it until the day he collided with one of his sons while playing basketball. He did some research and decided he needed to see his doctor. “Two days later, I had a mammogram. It’s amazing what those technicians can do with so little tissue to work with,” he said. Wilson had a mastectomy and chemotherapy. His hair was falling out, so his two sons helped give him a Mohawk and paint half red and half green for a family Christmas card. …

• Photos (1)

Rita’s Water Ice is Sweetening Up Kids’ Lemonade Stands This June

Local franchise will donate a tub of water ice to aid in fundraisers for the fight against childhood cancer.

Four local franchise locations have pledged to donate a tub of water ice to each child who registers to hold an Alex’s Lemonade Stand now through June 26. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was started by Alexandra Scott, of Wynnewood, who was diagnosed with childhood cancer before she turned 1. At the age of 4, she set up a front-yard lemonade stand to raise money for pediatric cancer research. After Alex passed away in 2004, the foundation she inspired continues her legacy of raising funds in hopes of eradicating childhood cancer. Kelly Griffin, marketing coordinator for the Royersford, Collegeville, Phoenixville and North Coventry Rita’s locations said that franchise owner Bev McNutt came up with the idea to supplement Rita’s annual paper…

• Photos (1)