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Wipe Out Kids' Cancer Teams Up with Jersey Mike's Subs for the 3rd Annual Month of Giving

2/22/2012 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) is joining forces with 18 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for the 3rd Annual March “Month of Giving” fundraising campaign to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. The Month of Giving campaign will run from March 1-28 culminating with a citywide event on Wednesday, March 28, Make a Difference Day, at Jersey Mike’s.

During the month of March, all area Jersey Mike's restaurants will make a 25 cent donation to WOKC for each regular sub sold and a 50 cent donation for each giant sub sold. Special donation buckets will be available in each store so customers can offer their own contributions to the charity.

On Wednesday, March 28, Make a Difference Day at Jersey Mikes, DFW residents are invited to enjoy a free regular sized sub at any area Jersey Mike’s in exchange for a minimum $2 contribution to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer ... although the hope is that customers will give more.

The campaign kicks off with a party for the 2011 and 2012 WOKC Ambassadors, children who are currently undergoing cancer treatment at Children’s Medical Center Dallas. The kids and their families will come to the Jersey Mike’s store at the southeast corner of Spring Valley and the Tollway (14060 Dallas Parkway, Suite 400), on Saturday, March 3rd from 3:00-5:00 pm for a celebration of sub-making, face painting and special guests.

The Month of Giving campaign has raised a total of $125,000 over the last two years for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer which has been used to fund research trials investigating new treatment options for two types of childhood cancers, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma and to expand the WOKC Buddy Bag program which reaches out to newly diagnosed families.

“Pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in our country. Thanks to the amazing support of donors like Jersey Mike’s we are making a difference in the fight for better treatments and the search for a cure,” said Evelyn Costolo, CEO for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. “Jersey Mike’s understands the importance of standing together for the future of our children. Thank you Jersey Mike’s and the DFW community for helping WOKC with our vision of a day with children are living cancer free.”

“Our commitment to the core Jersey Mike’s value of giving back to the communities we serve has never been stronger,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO, who started the company when he was only 17 years old. “We know our customers share this passion and, with their help, we hope to make a big difference in the lives of children throughout this country.”

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Donates $85,000 to Cook Children’s Medical Center

2/20/2012 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Donates $85,000 to Cook Children’s Medical Center

Funding will be used to bring innovative treatment to North Texas for neuroblastoma patients

Evelyn Costolo, CEO for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), recently presented a check on behalf of WOKC for $85,000 to Cook Children’s Medical Center Fort Worth. The donation will provide funding for an MIBG treatment program for children with relapsed neuroblastoma, a cancer of the peripheral nervous system and the most common tumor found in children. Dr. Meaghan Granger and Dr. Gretchen Eames, pediatric Hematology/Oncology physicians at Cook Children’s were present to accept the check.

The $85,000 WOKC donation for the MIBG treatment program is being made in honor of Michael Malone, a Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Ambassador who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in December 2009 at age 4. Approximately 600 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year. One of the most difficult parts of treating neuroblastoma is that it often initially responds to chemotherapy, radiation and surgery but has a high relapse rate and is much harder to cure when it returns. The survival at five years from the initial diagnosis is less than 40%. For patients who experience a relapse of their neuroblastoma, the survival is generally accepted to be less than 20%. The MIBG treatment is one of the most hopeful treatments available for neuroblastoma patients because it has a proven success rate of treating patients whose cancer has relapsed with response rates up to 40%.

Currently, there are only five MIBG treatment centers in the United States, and patients from the South and Southwest have previously had to travel to California, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Massachusetts for this cutting-edge treatment. The MIBG treatment room at Cook Children’s is expected to open in March of 2012 and will offer North Texas cancer patients like Michael the hope of a cure along with the comfort of being close to home and family.

“Every advancement in curing pediatric cancer has come through research that provides innovative treatments such as the MIBG program. We are so thankful for the support from our donors in 2011 that allowed us to provide funding for these critical research initiatives and hope for a cure to pediatric cancer patients like Michael,” said Evelyn Costolo, WOKC CEO.

CarMax Cares Community Service Award Winner, Jon Stephens, Donates $5,000 to WOKC

1/25/2012 12:00:00 AM

CarMax, Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announced this week that The CarMax Foundation has recognized nine CarMax Associates for the second annual CarMax Cares Community Service Award. CarMax associates across the country were nominated for the CarMax Cares Community Service Award for their personal volunteer efforts and leadership in CarMax community giving. Each winner selected a non-profit organization to receive a $5,000 grant on their behalf from The CarMax Foundation.

Jon Stephens, a CarMax Sales Manager in Fort Worth, was one of the nine associates to receive the 2011 Community Service Award. Mr. Stephens selected Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer as the recipient for his $5,000 grant. Jon won the award while working in the Fort Worth CarMax, but recently joined the CarMax team in Colorado Springs where he will continue to volunteer. A team of CarMax representatives recently visited the WOKC office to present the $5,000 grant to the organization on Jon's behalf.

Thank You CarMax Foundation and Jon Stephens!

From l to r: Lee Rolark, Andy Huntley, Evelyn Costolo, Henry Byron

Congratulations Wheel of Hope Winners!

1/25/2012 12:00:00 AM

Thanks to all who joined us in the fight against pediatric cancer by playing the WOKC Wheel of Hope during the month of December. The Wheel of Hope raised $4,900 and also provided a fun way for the WOKC Ambassadors to win prizes. During the month of December, each 2011 & 2010 Ambassador had a Wheel of Hope fundraising page on the WOKC website with puzzles to solve and the chance to win prizes. The Ambassadors sent the word out to family and friends to play their Wheel of Hope and help them win one of three prizes. Similar to the Wheel of Fortune, contestants were asked to buy a letter and try to solve the phrase which was a cancer statistic. Each letter bought in honor of a particular Ambassador gave them 1 entry into the grand prize drawing. Each puzzle that was solved on their Wheel of Hope page gave them 2 entries into the grand prize drawing. Below are the winners of the grand prize drawing:

1st Place: Michael

XBOX 360 Kinect with $100 game card

2nd Place: Nataly

Ipod nano with $25 Itunes card

3rd Place: Stella

Ipod shuffle with $25 Itunes card

Everyone wins in this game because all money raised will benefit Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and be used to support our vision of a day when children are living cancer free. Thank you all who supported our Ambassadors in the Wheel of Hope!

Directorz Donates $20,000 to WOKC

1/24/2012 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer was the “guest of honor” at the Directorz Holiday Party last month. Instead of giving clients and partners the traditional holiday gift, the team at Directorz decided to give a $50 donation to WOKC for each person that attended the party …. WOW! As if that wasn’t enough … they gave a $5 donation for all the people that couldn’t come and posted to their Facebook wall. The result of this generous holiday spirit was a $20,000 donation to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer!

We would like to send a big THANK YOU to the team at Directorz for making WOKC and our cause part of your annual holiday tradition. Your generosity will extend far past the holiday season by funding pediatric cancer research trials that will bring us closer to the day when all children are living cancer free. Thank you ALL for joining our fight and making a difference in the lives of children and families battling cancer.

For more information on Directorz:

www.directorzforwokc.com

http://www.directorz.net/

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Donates $122,000 to Children’s Medical Center Dallas

1/19/2012 12:00:00 AM

Evelyn Costolo, CEO for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), recently presented a check on behalf of WOKC for $122,000 to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders (CCBD) at Children’s Medical Center (CMC) Dallas. Children’s Medical Center has allocated $72,000 of the funds to a research project on medulloblastoma and $50,000 of the funds to a patient support program. Dr. Stephen Skapek, Dr. Laura Klesse, Dr. Daniel Bowers, Dr. Dinesh Rakheja and Dr. Raven Cooksey of CMC were all present to accept the check from WOKC.

The $72,000 donation for the medulloblastoma research project was given in honor of Carson Leslie, a 2008 WOKC Ambassador who lost his battle with medulloblastoma two years ago. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer found in children. The survival rate for these patients has improved significantly over the years, but survivors often suffer long-term complications from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The medulloblastoma research project will be led by Dr. Laura Klesse. Dr. Klesse and her team of researchers will conduct a study with the intent of better understanding and refining treatment for this devastating childhood brain tumor.

“Every advancement in curing pediatric cancer has come through research but cancer is still the #1 cause of death by disease in American children. We are so thankful for the support from our donors in 2011 that allowed us to provide funding for these critical research initiatives and hope for a cure to pediatric cancer patients,” said Mrs. Costolo.

The remaining $50,000 will provide 2012 funding for a Spanish Translator on the CCBD floor of Children's to help non-English speaking patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options.

Stanley Korshak Hosts Second Annual Holiday Stocking Auction for The Guild

12/16/2011 12:00:00 AM

Stanley Korshak hosted the 2^nd annual Holiday Stocking Auction & cocktail party benefiting Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and The Guild at The Shak on December 13, 2011. The Guild, the women’s auxiliary for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, is a group of over 150 women that are passionate about making a difference in the world of childhood cancer.

Over 100 Guild members, friends, husbands and dates enjoyed a little holiday cheer with cocktails, tasty treats and a silent auction of 12 unique themed Christmas stockings filled and ready for that special someone. Themes for the stockings included a variety that offered something for everyone on your shopping list: Stanley Korshak/Ritz Makeover, Texas Rangers’ Baseball merchandise , Love Tennis merchandise and gift certificate , $500 Elfa gift certificate from The Container Store, Golf for 4 from Royal Oaks Country Club, Private dinner party for 40 from Cane Rosso, Liquors and ornaments from around the world, Patrol tequila with barware, Tickets for 4 to the Nutcracker Ballet with dinner at Hotel ZaZa … and more! The auction raised $3,000 for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and The Guild, which will be used to help find a cure for childhood cancer.

Guests included former 1989 WOKC Ambassador Christian Kelso and wife Bethany, Mike and Alison Malone, Brian Nadurak, Tracy Lange, Nellie Sciutto .... just to name a few. WOKC Guild hosts for the night included Guild officers: Hadley Galt, President, Blair Lechtenberger, Vice President, Libby Godlove, Secretary, Monique Hohmann, Shelley Swan, Kelley Schadt & Lara Ross, Membership Chairs and Evelyn Costolo, WOKC CEO. The Guild has three evening events for women during the year with the purpose of raising awareness and support for finding better treatments and a cure for pediatric cancer. For membership information visit: www.wokc.org/guild.

Click here to view the album of pictures from the evening.

Santa and His Elves Brighten Ambassador Holiday Party

12/15/2011 12:00:00 AM

The Ambassador Holiday party was extra special this year thanks to Santa and his elves. Manny’s Uptown Tex-Mex Restaurant in Addison hosted the annual celebration on Sunday, December 11^th. Ambassadors Michael, Stella, Nataly, Alec, Roberto, Roger, John, Fausto and Randall along with their moms, dads, sisters and brothers were the guests of honor.

Several groups of Santa’s elves had been busy shopping and wrapping gifts to make sure all the kids got everything on their list. Each Ambassador along with their siblings sent a wish list to Santa with 3 things they each wanted for Christmas. WOKC had several groups of shopping elves this year that wanted to help: Dallas Fit Chicks, Young Men’s Service League of HPHS and Girl Scout Troop 8994 from Centennial Elementary in Plano. A local business networking group, Team Networking, put together gifts for the Ambassador parents with certificates for dinner, movies and a night out. When the families walked into the party, presents were piled high waiting for them thanks to these wonderful volunteers!

The Girl Scout Elves also organized the party games, prizes and goody bags and were on-hand at the party dressed as Santa’s elves to play games and hand out prizes to the families. The “Candy Cane Walk” game was a big hit as was “Pin the Nose on Rudolph”. After enjoying a delicious Tex-Mex buffet catered by Manny’s, Santa arrived to hand out presents for everyone.

After the food, fun and presents at Manny’s, the Ambassador families were invited to stop by Madeline and Woody Hickman’s Holiday fantasy home for a tour. Each room is decorated with a special theme: There is a penguin room, train room, Disney room, nutcracker room, western room and more with over 20 Christmas trees …. Even an upside down Christmas tree!

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s Ambassador Holiday Party extra special for our families.

For a complete photo album of pictures from the event visit: www.facebook.com/wipeoutkidscancer

2011 Ambassador Reunion

11/18/2011 12:00:00 AM

WOKC hosted the annual Ambassador reunion on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at Twin Mallets Ranch. The reunion is a special event each year that is open to all past and current Ambassadors and their families. This year we had 12 Ambassadors from 1993 – 2011. It was wonderful to see our current and past ambassador families! Below is a list of our guests of honor.

2011 Ambassadors: Nataly, Karen, John, Randall, Roberto and Stella

2010 Ambassadors: Ashley, Esther & Taylor

2008 Ambassador: Brenton

2001 Ambassador: Mechael

1993 Ambassador: Susan

The Ambassadors and their families were treated to a day of family fun and fellowship that included a hayride, carnival, games, crafts, prizes and food. Local band, Complications, made the reunion a little more festive by providing live music! Thanks to The Dallas Junior Forum for setting up the carnival of activities for the Ambassadors and their families. The kids loved the face painting, the crafts, games and especially the Cake Walk.

WOKC would also like to thank the Mother/Son volunteers from the Young Men’s Service League of Highland Park HS and Cindy Brinker Simmons for hosting the event.
Visit the WOKC Flickr page for a complete album of pictures from the reunion: WOKC Flickr/2011 Ambassador Reunion

9th Annual AA WOKC Golf Classic Recap

11/3/2011 12:00:00 AM

WOKC would like to send a big THANK YOU to all the golfers, volunteers and sponsors who braved the weather Thursday, October 27th to support the 9^th annual AA WOKC Golf Classic at Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine. Despite a weather forecast of 70% chance of rain with temperatures in the 50’s, the tournament was a great success due to each golfer, volunteer and sponsor that supported this event.

The sold-out tournament had 136 golfers competing in the 4-person scramble tournament for some great on-course prizes including a new Lexus IS and Mercedes Benz C Coupe, compliments of Park Place Motors and a round-trip ticket on American Airlines, compliments of our presenting sponsor, American Airlines. Players were also competing for Michael Young autographed Texas Rangers’ memorabilia for 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd place gross and net scores. Hilary Felton and Jessica Vogler of 3M coordinated the on-course 3M volunteers who all deserve a big round of applause!!

The rain held off until around 5pm when everyone was heading in for the 19^th Hole Festivities to celebrate the day of golf with drinks, dinner, auction, awards and prizes … and World Series Game 6. Tournament Co-Chairs, Noah Hansford and Rick Ross, presented the awards and prizes to the winners below to wrap up the evening.

Thank you to all who supported our cause by bidding on the live and silent auction items. The biggest winners of the day were the thousands of children battling cancer today. Your support will make a difference in the lives of these children.

Congratulations to the tournament winners:

Cindy Saigling’s Hisco Team

Mike Anderson’s Denali Advanced Integration Team

John Bakewell’s Team

Glenn Pfenninger’s Team

Congratulations to the winners of the on-course contests:

#1 Hole Longest Drive-Ryan Karonka

#4 Hole Closest to the Star-Nondi Alviar

#10 Hole Closest to the Pin in 2 Shots-Marc Wolfe

#18 Hole Closest to the Pin in 2 Shots-Ryan Karonka

Eat at Zoes Kitchen During the Month of November and help WOKC

11/1/2011 12:00:00 AM

Help Wipe Out Kids' Cancer by eating at Zoe's during the month of November! Details below:

Eat at either or both of these 2 Dallas Zoe's locations every Friday in November and Zoes will donate 20% of all orders to WOKC! This also includes catering orders.

6800 Snider Plaza
5710 West Lover's Lane

You must mention Wipe Out Kids' Cancer at the register. Thanks for your help fighting childhood cancer!

Ambassador Family Reunion Scheduled for November 6th

10/30/2011 12:00:00 AM

2011 Ambassador Family Reunion

Sunday, November 6^th

1:30-5:30 pm

Twin Mallets Ranch
8881 N. FM 2478

Prosper, TX

WOKC will once again host the Ambassador Family Reunion at Twin Mallets Ranch for all current and previous Ambassador families. Please join us for an afternoon of family fun with food, hayrides, games, prizes and more! Please RSVP to mshaw@wokc.org. Click on the link below for a map to Twin Mallets Ranch.

Reunion Map to Twin Mallets Ranch.pdf

26th Annual Tom Thumb WOKC Oktoberfest Run for the Children Update

10/1/2011 12:00:00 AM

Thanks to all the runners, walkers, volunteers, sponsors and friends who made this year's Tom Thumb WOKC Oktoberfest Run for the Children a HUGE success! The 26^th annual Tom Thumb WOKC Oktoberfest Run for the Children was held on Saturday, September 17, 2011, and was once again part of the annual Addison Oktoberfest celebration. Participants could choose from a 1-mile Fun Run or a 5K course through the town of Addison. Cash prizes were awarded to the top 3 male/female overall & Masters’ division winners, and awards were given in each age category. Event perks included a Finish Line Celebration with free food, drinks, German beer, awards and entertainment provided by Eddie Coker and Clean Slate. Steve Noviello, of KDFW Fox 4, was the celebrity emcee for the event.

This year’s run set records in both attendance and money raised! We had over 2,800 runners & walkers, 150 volunteers and raised over $81,000. The most exciting part to all of us at WOKC is that each of you helped us make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer because all proceeds from this event will directly fund childhood cancer research and benefit local childhood cancer patients and their families.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Race results can be found on our website: www.oktoberfest5k.com

Congratulations to these teams and individuals that went above and beyond this year!

Spirit Award - Team Amanda

Top Fundraising Team - Margaret Loves Ladybugs

Top Fundraising Individual (Adult) - Leah Edman

Top Fundraising Individual (under 18) – Laura Arroya

Thank you runners, walkers, sponsors, team captains and volunteers for making a difference in the lives of children and families battling pediatric cancer and supporting our vision of a day when children are living … cancer free.

Dallas Running: Top 4 Reasons to Run a 5k at Addison Oktoberfest

8/31/2011 12:00:00 AM

4. Free stuff. Have you even been in Dallas, running, and thought you deserved a perk? We believe you do! Receive a Tom Thumb WOKC Run for the Children T-Shirt; free admission to Addison Oktoberfest with registration; free food, drinks, German beer, and entertainment; plus, the first 500 kids to cross the Fun Run finish line receive a goody bag with free entry on the carnival rides!

3. Your kids will love you. Goody bags + carnival rides = happy children. It’s as close to a done deal as you can get! Plus, you’ll get to enter Oktoberfest an hour early!

2. Addison Oktoberfest is awesome. One of the top 10 Oktoberfests in North America, it’s an amazing experience. Between the German food, Spaten Beir, and polka, we know you’ll have a great time!

1. You get to help Wipe Out Kid’s Cancer. The children who fight cancer every day cannot be their own advocates. That’s why WOKC is constantly raising money for both pediatric cancer research and to support local pediatric cancer patients and their families. We depend on you for support and strength. Sign up for the 5k today. If reasons 1-4 don’t convince you, we know this one will.

WOKC Ambassadors Presented With Laptops at August Pool Party

8/30/2011 12:00:00 AM

The annual WOKC Ambassador pool party was full of surprises this year! Each year the Ambassadors and their families are treated to a day of cool pool fun, food and treats. This year was no exception as WOKC Ambassadors Nataly Hernandez, Stella White, Fausto Montoya, Karen Areola, Roberto Espinosa and John Garcia, along with brothers, sisters, moms and dads, swam, floated and cooled off in the pool on a very hot August afternoon. Marla and Van Shaw hosted the pool party again at their beautiful pool and pavilion, which was more than large enough to accommodate our very large group this year. WOKC Board Members Cindy Brinker Simmons, Linda Randall and Debbie Ingram were there to help and share in the fun and food. Several of the Ambassador moms prepared a Mexican feast for the group and the finale was an ice cream sundae bar! The BIG surprise came after the yummy treats ….. each Ambassador was presented with a brand new laptop …. courtesy of the Dallas Margarita Society!! Brent Rogers, VP of Charity for the Dallas Margarita Society, and several other members presented the laptops to the Ambassadors.

Thank you Dallas Margarita Society for your very generous gift!! Thank you Marla and Van for your hospitality!

Dallas Running: Help Us Wipe Out Kids' Cancer at Addison Oktoberfest!

8/28/2011 12:00:00 AM

September 17th, Addison Oktoberfest has a great opportunity for both the Dallas running community and Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer! The 26th annual Tom Thumb WOKC Run for the Children is an opportunity for Dallas to join the fight against childhood cancer by participating in this family-friendly event. Perfect for both runners and walkers, participants can choose from a 1-mile Fun Run or a 5K course through the town of Addison that is chronotrack certified.

Participants also receive a 2011 Tom Thumb WOKC Run for the Children T-Shirt; free admission to Addison Oktoberfest on race day; Finish Line Celebration with awards, free food, drinks, German Beer & entertainment; plus, the first 500 kids to cross the Fun Run finish line receive a goody bag that includes free entry on Talley carnival rides on race day!

All proceeds benefit Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), a Dallas-based non-profit organization founded in 1980 dedicated to eradicating pediatric cancer by funding innovative research, education and treatment, while providing hope to children and families battling cancer.

Participants who want to join the fight against pediatric cancer can raise additional money to help the cause through fundraising as an individual or by forming a team. Prizes are awarded to the individual or group that raises the most money. Many of the teams formed each year are to honor a local pediatric cancer patient or in memory of a child that has lost the battle to this terrible disease.

Please join Wipe Out Kid’s Cancer, Addison Oktoberfest, and Tom Thumb in helping fight pediatric cancer! Click here to register.

WOKC Ambassadors Shine at the 2011 Night of Superstars

6/30/2011 12:00:00 AM

What an honor it was to be at Dallas’s AT&T Performing Arts Center on Saturday June 25, 2011. Eight of the WOKC Ambassadors were treated to an evening of star-studded treatment and excitement during the 2011Night of Superstars! Being in the presence of children who are warm souls, fighters, and—of course—superstars, was an incredible place to be.

The Night of Superstars is a formal red carpet charity event held to recognize extraordinary kids (such as our precious Ambassadors) who are affected by varying types of disabling conditions and have overcome great adversity. The event is formatted much like a "Night at the Oscars" and honors a group of special kids from local organizations honored as VIPS and treated to a night of celebration all about them!

At 6:30 pm, the limos pulled up to the red carpet, and out came the guests of honor from Wipe out Kids Cancer, Challenge Air for Kids and American Foundation for the Blind and the Hoffa Foundation. WOKC Ambassadors Nataly, Destiny, Karen, Stella, John, Roberto, Fausto and Randall looked beautiful and handsome in their gowns and suits; their beaming smiles stole the show! They were escorted down the red carpet like the superstars they are by guest celebrities from the TV/Film, Radio/Music, and Sports industries. Family, friends, and adoring fans were there to cheer them on, ask for autographs and take pictures. Several local TV networks were on hand for interviews with the Superstars.

After each of them made their way down the red carpet, the guests went inside and enjoyed a night of music and celebration of the meaning behind our cause. For the night, we had the privilege of celebrating the amazing kids who fuel the hope of a day where children live cancer free. Each child was given an award for their amazing accomplishments, and money was raised for WOKC, and other causes, through a silent auction and donations made by the guests. After the event, the superstars and their families were whisked away for a complimentary “staycation” to relax and enjoy.

The Night of Superstars was inspiring and a reminder of what true superstars these kids really are! They are the most worthy of this night of stardom. They’ve overcome great adversity and it was extremely rewarding to be able to recognize them for the superstars they truly are.

To view the complete album of pictures from the night: WOKC Flickr album for Ambassadors 2011 Night of Superstars

Ambassadors Honored at Texas Rangers' Game on June 24, 2011

6/28/2011 12:00:00 AM

The WOKC Ambassadors had a very special treat on Friday, Jun 24, 2011. Texas Ranger Michael Young and his wife Cristina hosted the Ambassadors and their families at the Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington as the Texas Rangers took on the New York Mets.

It was such a treat for everyone! The WOKC group was treated to dinner in the Diamond Club, and Michael stopped by to meet everyone and sign hats, shirts, and more. The Ambassadors were then introduced on the field in front of a sold-out crowd before the game along with Michael, Evelyn and Ann Podeszwa. It was such an honor and we were so proud of all our kids! It happened to be the same night that Mavs’ MVP Dirk Nowiztki threw out the first pitch!

After the excitement of the on-field presentation and seeing Dirk, the kids and their families settled in to watch the Rangers beat the Mets 8-1. Thank you Michael and Cristina!

For a complete album of pictures from the night, visit WOKC Flickr Alb um - Rangers Game 6-24-11

Knickers or Nothin Golf Tournament Helps Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer with $25,000 Donation

6/19/2011 12:00:00 AM

Who would have thought that a night out with old college buddies would turn into an annual golf tournament raising $25,000 for a good cause? On May 7, 2011, Cory Rutledge and Matt Paresky hosted the fifth annual Knickers or Nothin Golf Tournament at Frisco Lakes Golf Club. The result was a $25,000 donation to Wipe Out Kids' Cancer on June 10^th. For the rest of the story …..

Looking for a way to stay connected after college, a group of Texas A & M graduates starting planning a golf weekend. As dates were being discussed for the first outing, someone said, “Wouldn't it be hilarious if we all wore those old-style knickers when we play?” That brainstorm was the beginning of the annual “Knickers or Nothin” golf tournament. The rules are simple … wear knickers to play in the tournament or nothing at all.

As the golf outing evolved into a full-fledged tournament, enthusiasm grew and the friends decided to use the tournament to raise money for a good cause. They knew they wanted the cause to be pediatric cancer research, because one of the founders, Cory Rutledge, had a sister who is a cancer survivor. After a search for the right non-profit organization to partner with, they selected Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer as the beneficiary. Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC) is a Dallas-based non-profit organization founded in 1980 dedicated to eradicating pediatric cancer by funding innovative research, education and treatment, while providing hope to children affected with cancer.

The group of college buddies playing golf for a good cause has evolved over the past five years, and plans are currently in the works to turn the organization into a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a board of directors. The goal of the organization is to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research through the tournament. The group of 22 golfers in knickers that raised $500 at the 1st tournament has grown to a group of 106 golfers in knickers that raised $25,000 for the cause in the 5^th annual Knickers or Nothin tournament in 2011. It’s amazing what happens when good friends work together for a great cause. For more information on Knickers or Nothin, visit www.knickersornothin.com.

Buddy Bag program expanded to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth

6/13/2011 12:00:00 AM

Each year over 200 families in the Fort Worth area receive the devastating news that a child or sibling has cancer. The diagnosis is usually accompanied by an unexpected and immediate admission to a pediatric hospital for treatment, leaving families unprepared and without the items needed for a lengthy hospital stay. WOKC is now able to reach out to these newly diagnosed families by providing a WOKC Buddy bag.

Starting June 1, each child and family admitted to Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Department for cancer treatment will receive a Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Buddy Bag filled with personal items and hospital stay necessities. The Buddy Bags are designed to ease the transition from home to hospital for both the child and parents, and are filled with over 30 items including anything from basic toiletries—like toothbrushes and deodorant—to comfort items, like a gift card to the hospital Starbucks! The Buddy Bags also provide a journal and pen to record thoughts and treatment notes, and note cards and stamps to update friends and family. All items in the Buddy Bag are chosen by moms of kids with cancer, who know better than anyone which items might bring some comfort at that time of crisis.

WOKC initially launched the Buddy Bag program in 2008 at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, and has since distributed over 600 Buddy Bags to newly diagnosed families in the DFW area. The opportunity for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer to expand its Buddy Bag program to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth was made possible with the support from another organization committed to giving back to the community in a big way.

A huge thank you to Jersey Mike’s, sub sandwich franchise with 15 stores in the DFW area, who has a long history of community involvement and support. In March of this year, Jersey Mikes’ owners and employees in Tarrant County and throughout the DFW area teamed up with WOKC to join the fight against pediatric cancer during a “Month of Giving” fundraising campaign benefiting Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. Thanks to this, Jersey Mike’s raised $75,000 for WOKC, providing the funding needed to bring the Buddy Bag program to pediatric cancer patients and families at Cook Children’s, as well as provide funding for research and new treatment options.

Eight WOKC Ambassadors will walk the Red Carpet on the Night of Superstars!

6/13/2011 12:00:00 AM

SUPERSTAR (Soo’-per-star’) or (Soo’-puh-stah’) n.: 1. One who is idolized by fans and elevated to a position of importance 2. One who has great popular appeal.

When you’re a kid, you often dream of doing something extravagant, like being an astronaut, or a football player, or a singer, or an actress…the list goes on and on. One thing these all have in common is this: the dream of being a super star. Eight of our WOKC Ambassadors will get the chance to be a SUPER STAR and walk the red carpet at the 2011 Night of Superstars on Saturday, June 25^th.

Night of Superstars is an event unlike any other for kids with special needs. Night of Superstars is a formal red carpet charity event held to recognize extraordinary kids who are affected by varying types of disabling conditions and have overcome great adversity. The event is formatted much like a "Night at the Oscars" with a group of special kids representing Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, Challenge Air for Kids, American Foundation for the Blind and the Hoffen Foundation honored as the VIPs who will be walking the red carpet and signing autographs.

WOKC Superstars Nataly, Destiny, Karen, Stella, John, Roberto, Fausto and Randall will get an evening of star-studded treatment and excitement during the 2011Night of Superstars on June 25^th! The day of the event, they’ll be pampered at a salon (hair/make-up/nails), dressed in formal attire, then driven by limo to the Winspear Opera House (AT&T Performing Arts Center). Once they arrive, they will be escorted down the red carpet by guest celebrities from the TV/Film, Radio/Music and Sports industries. As they progress down the red carpet, 800+ guests will cheer them on, asking for the kids' autographs and pictures! Several TV stations and local publications will be on site to interview the Superstars and media guests.

Following the red carpet event is an awards ceremony recognizing each Superstar for his or her accomplishments. After the awards ceremony, the Superstars and their parents will be treated to a complimentary weekend "staycation", and the guests will head to the Celebrity/Sponsor Post Reception for great food/drink & entertainment at ALOFT Hotel (downtown Dallas)!

These Superstars inspire and impact the lives of those around them…they are most worthy of a night of stardom! How can you support these Superstars? Buy a ticket and come cheer them on as they walk the red carpet on June 25! Tickets are $55, and include admission to the red carpet with 1 drink ticket plus admission to the after-party with food and 1 drink ticket. To purchase tickets: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=7ntjy6cab&oeidk=a07e3wo0jrr8c5cd1cf

For more information, please email Greg Johnson at greg@nightofsuperstars.com, or call 214-714-2450.

Richland Lady Rebels and Colleyville Panthers raise $1,100 for WOKC!

6/7/2011 12:00:00 AM

2010 WOKC Ambassador, Taylor Bockemehl, threw out the first pitch at the 4/8/11 match-up between Richland High School and Colleyville Heritage girls' softball teams, capping off a week-long joint fundraising campaign between the two schools. All proceeds from T-shirts sales, gates and concessions were donated to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. In addition, during the 5th inning stretch, helmets were passed collecting monetary donations. Prior to the Varsity game there was a balloon release in memory of children who have died of cancer. The night of softball and fundraising for WOKC raised $1,100! Thank you Rebels and Panthers!

UBS Financial Services Employees Go Above and Beyond for WOKC Buddy Bags

5/26/2011 12:00:00 AM

The WOKC Buddy Bag program got a huge boost this month from the employees of UBS Financial Services in Dallas. The UBS Dallas/Park Cities complex reached out to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer several months ago because they wanted to get involved with our organization and find a way to help local pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Diane Binford, UBS Director & Complex Administrative Manager, organized a task force of UBS employees to find a project helping WOKC that would appeal to their employees. They picked the Buddy Bag program because they wanted something that would be “hands-on” and have an immediate impact on local children and families affected by cancer.

Over 300 DFW families each year experience the devastating diagnosis of pediatric cancer for a child. Many times the diagnosis happens in the emergency room and is accompanied by an unexpected and immediate admission to the hospital for treatment, leaving families unprepared and without the items needed for a lengthy hospital stay.

The WOKC Buddy Bag program was designed to help ease the transition from home to hospital for these newly diagnosed families, and a WOKC Buddy Bag is given to family when their child is admitted for cancer treatment to Children’s Medical Center at both the Dallas and Legacy locations. Each Buddy Bag is filled with personal items and hospital stay necessities for both the child and parents. All items in the Buddy Bag were chosen by moms of kids with cancer, who know better than anyone what items might be needed at that time of crisis.

UBS organized a WOKC kick-off meeting on April 18^th as part of an employee “Chili ‘Kick’ Off”. As soon as the WOKC organization and Buddy Bag program were introduced, employees started the process of collecting items and donating to the cause. The UBS Dallas/Park Cities complex collected over 1,500 items for the Buddy Bags! In addition to the items collected, employees also donated $2,500 in cash donations for the Buddy Bags which UBS is going to match.

This is just the beginning of UBS’s involvement with WOKC, as they hope to continue helping the cause. The Buddy Bags send a message to families that there are people who care about them at a time when they need to know that the most. Thank you UBS employees for making a difference in the lives of these families.

Addison Employees Bowl For Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer

5/26/2011 12:00:00 AM

With strikes, spares and gutter balls, the Town of Addison raised over $7,800 for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer in the 6th annual Bowl-a-thon on April 14^th at 300 Dallas. The Bowl-a-thon was hosted by the Addison Employee Action Committee (EAC). Several years ago, the EAC was looking for ways to bring employees together to socialize, have fun and work for a good cause. The EAC chose bowling to create a little competition among departments. Competition isn't limited to the action on the lanes but is also seen in colorful costumes, side wagers, and even a little good natured trash-talk among the teams. Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer was chosen as the beneficiary of this great annual event. WOKC sends a special thank you to Addison employee Brandon Graham who has organized the bowl-a-thon for the past three years.

Over 30 teams entered the competition this year. Funds were raised through donations from businesses and vendors, entry fees, pledges for pins, and the purchase of raffle tickets. One of the hot raffle items was a $2,500 14 karat gold and diamond necklace generously donated by Steffani Siegel-Traxler of Jordan’s Jewelry. Stand-out costumes included the entire crew from the Wizard of Oz!

The real winners of the day were the kids and WOKC. Thank you Addison employees!

WOKC Ambassadors Catch a LOT of fish!

5/22/2011 12:00:00 AM

This past weekend held a day of fun…and fishing! The WOKC Ambassadors were treated to the 7th annual Fish Camp on Saturday, May 21. This annual Ambassador Event is put on by the All Outdoors Television Network and hosted by Vaquero Golf Club in Westlake.

What makes this annual Ambassador event unique and special for the families, is that Randall Boyd, producer of All Outdoors Television Network, and Buddy Brown, professional fisherman, put on the fishing tournament for the kids and then the show airs on their TV network. This truly only one of its kind experience was put on at Vaquero Golf Club, who sponsored the event and provided volunteers to help.

The All Outdoors Television guides of The Honey Hole, Buddy Brown & Randall Boyd, along with their fishing buddies, helped the Ambassadors, siblings & friends catch brim, catfish and bass. And catch they did! Every child caught fish, many fish. The entire camp was a catch & release program and the wide eyes and big grins told the whole story of how much fun the kids were having.

Ambassadors Stella, Nataly, John, Fausto and Roberto stopped by for a morning of fishing and fun along with a lot of siblings and friends. With the Ambassadors, their friends and siblings, there were a total of 30 kids fishing in the tournament. The fishing lasted an hour, and then the awards were presented. Each child got their own award, and also got a new fishing pole to call their own!

All Outdoors Television network’s mission is “to provide quality family education and entertainment.” (alloutdoorstv.com) This event did just that for all who were involved, and more! With family and friends surrounding them, WOKC’s Ambassadors got to spend time by a lake with the people who love them having some fishing fun!

If you would like to see the WOKC Ambsasador Fish Camp, it's not too late! Tune into KDFII/Channel 27 on June 11 (6:30 am) or June 12 (5:30 am)

Blue Print Hosts WOKC Guild Spring Fling

4/28/2011 12:00:00 AM

Blue Print Store in Uptown was the venue for the WOKC Guild’s Spring Fling on Thursday, April 21. Blue Print is a new home décor store located in a gorgeous 1920’s house on Fairmount Street recently opened by a group of Park Cities women: Cynthia Collins, Caroline Davis, Leslie Jenkins, Carrie Jane Pogoloff, and Lucy Ward (four are interior designers). The property also features a beautiful backyard with a brick patio and pool that makes it perfect for entertaining inside and outside.

The setting was perfect for the ladies’ night out as it offered all the things we like best: shopping, friends, cocktails and food! After a day of rain, the skies cleared and temperatures were perfect for the 75+ guests to mingle outside and meander through the two-story house to view the exquisite selection of contemporary furniture and accessories, antiques and jewelry. Guild Officers Kristi Cole, Blair Lechtenberger, Katherine Coker, Kelley McDonald & Evelyn Costolo were on hand to greet the guests as were Blue Print Hosts; Lucy Ward, Cynthia Collins, Caroline Davis & Lisa Barnes. Blue Print donated a beautiful $300 necklace to the WOKC Guild for a raffle prize. Libby Godlove was the lucky winner! Blue Print also purchased party favors for the guests, a blue (is there any other color?) umbrella with both the Blue Print logo and the WOKC logo.

Guests included Carol & Frank Riddick, Lynn McBee, Tina Mathews, Heidi Schaller, Emily Smith, Amy Gibbs, Hallie Lawrence, Lisa Besserer, Shelley Koeijmans, Rachel Wallace and Lara Ross. WOKC Board members included Ann Podeszwa, Gail Horton, Ann Cain and Mary Dowling. Quite a bit of shopping was mixed into the evening with home accessories and jewelry being the hits of the party.

Guests were asked to bring an item or a $5 donation for the Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Buddy Bags. A WOKC Buddy Bag is filled with hospital stay necessities and personal items, and given to each child admitted to Children's Medical Center Dallas/Legacy for cancer treatment. The Buddy Bag program was designed to help ease the transition from home to hospital for these newly diagnosed families and to send a message to the children and their families that there are people who care about them at a time when they need to know that the most.

The Guild is the women’s auxiliary for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and is passionate about making a difference in the world of pediatric cancer and to supporting the vision of a day when children are living… cancer free. The Guild has three evening events for women during the year with the purpose of raising awareness and support for finding better treatments and a cure for pediatric cancer.

For a complete album of pictures from the Guild Spring Fling click here

Ambassadors Honored at Texas Legends’ Game on March 27th

4/25/2011 12:00:00 AM

Our 2011 WOKC Ambassadors were named honorary “Legends of the Day” as they joined fellow basketball fans in cheering on the Texas Legends to a 109 – 97 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Vipers at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas, on March 27th. In an event sponsored by Jersey Mike’s Subs, the Ambassadors and their families were treated to complimentary tickets and VIP status to watch the excitement as the Mavericks’ minor league team, the Texas Legends, hooped it up against the Vipers, the newly-formed development team of the Houston Rockets.

Enjoying cotton candy, peanuts, and nachos, Ambassadors Santa-Crusz Odoemene, Fausto Montoya, and Stella White joined siblings of Ambassador Karen Arreola and a rowdy crowd of fans in watching the fast-paced basketball action on the court. Off-court, Ambassador John Garcia performed his own show-stopping skills as he bravely scaled the rock-climbing wall in the kids’ activities zone. With younger sister, Ivy, in tow, Stella was next on the wall, gracefully negotiating her way to the top, cowboy boots and all! Hopefully, Legends scouts were taking notes as Trey Costolo, son of WOKC CEO Evelyn Costolo, went for one-handed 3-pointers in the jumbo basketball bounce house (his other being in a cast due to a fractured bone in his wrist!) as sister, Tatum, was spinning for prizes on the Wheel of Fortune. Jersey Mike’s owner Steve Zeigler presented each of the Ambassadors with a Legends goody-bag including t-shirts and huge foam “No. 1” fan hands.

The victory was even sweeter when the Legends players gathered with the cheerleaders on the court afterwards to pose for pictures and sign autographs on WOKC hats and t-shirts. A win-win for our Ambassadors, the Texas Legends, and our generous WOKC supporters!

Jersey Mike's Helps Wipe Out Kids' Cancer by raising $75,000 during Month of Giving!

4/19/2011 12:00:00 AM

THANK YOU JERSEY MIKE'S!

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer was presented with a check for $75,000 last week from Jersey Mike’s Subs that was the result of the second annual month-long partnership to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. All 14 DFW Jersey Mike’s locations teamed together with Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer from February 28 – March 28 for a Month of Giving fundraising campaign. DFW residents showed incredible support by eating close to 100,000 Jersey Mike’s subs during the month and giving an average $7.00 per sub on the final day.

The money will be used to help find a cure for pediatric cancer and investigate new treatment options by funding clinical research trials at Children’s Medical Center Dallas/Legacy and Cook Children’s Fort Worth.The money will also provide funding for the WOKC Buddy Bag and Ambassador programs which provide hope and support to local pediatric cancer patients and their families.

The success of the 2011 Month of Giving can be attributed to a grass roots effort among local Jersey Mike’s employees and owners, WOKC supporters, board members, local businesses and schools. There were special fundraising days at local college campuses, SMU and TCU, as well as local high schools including St. Mark’s, Hockaday, Greenhill and Shelton.Thanks to all who contributed!

Pictured at the check presentation from left to right are: WOKC Board members Deborah Sheikh, Ann Cain; WOKC Board member and founder, Cindy Brinker Simmons; Jersey Mike’s Area Director, Dalton Stewart: WOKC Board member, Mary Dowling;Jersey Mike’s Plano Owner, Steve Zeigler; WOKC Board member, Ann Podeszwa; WOKC CEO, Evelyn Costolo, WOKC Board member & Ambassador mom, Alison Malone.

Raffle tickets now on sale for Addison Bowl-a-thon! Great prizes and the raffle is open to anyone, not just bowl-a-thon participants.

4/10/2011 12:00:00 AM

The 6th annual Addison Bowl-a-Thon is this Thursday, April 14th, from 3-7 pm at Dallas 300 in Addison. There's still time to sign up if you want to bowl with us! Form a team or bowl on an existing team.If you're interested in bowling, contact Brandon Graham with the Town of Addison at bgraham@addisontx.gov or 972-450-2852 by noon on Thursday.

We just got word about some very exciting prizes that have been generously donated for the bowl-a-thon raffle!Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 each at the event. If you're not able to bowl with us on Thursday, you can still buy a raffle ticket and have the chance to win one of these fabulous prizes. You do not need to be present to win. Advance purchases can be made through Brandon at the town of Addison or through the WOKC office at 214-987-4662 or pr@wokc.org. Cash, check or credit cards will be accepted for payment. If you want to pay with a credit card in advance,please contact the WOKC office.

Check out these prizes!

1. 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Randell Beaded Necklace. Gemologist Appraisal form included.Generously donated by Jordan’s Jewelry. A $2,457.00 value.

2. Official Autographed Brian Cushing Football Jersey. Generously donated by an Addison Police Officer.

3. Weekend Use of a Brand New Lexus. Generously Donated by Parks Place Lexus in Plano.A $250.00 value

Get a Deal with RunDaisy and Help WOKC

4/1/2011 12:00:00 AM

RunDaisy.com connects budget-minded consumers to local business and local charities through great daily deals. Consumers save money on amazing products and services and local charities receive a portion of the proceeds from every deal. Wipe Out Kids Cancer is excited to be one of RunDaisy’s featured causes in the DFW area!

RunDaisy is new to the DFW market and is launching a Growing through Giving Initiative today by giving $25,000 to local charities for the first 25,000 subscribers in the DFW market to sign up for their Daily Deals email. You can help by subscribing to the Dallas Daily Deals email and naming Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer as the referral. WOKC will get $1 for every referral until RunDaisy reaches 25,000 subscribers here. It’s easy!

Please take a moment to visit RunDaisy.com and sign up to get discounts on your favorite products and services while supporting WOKC. When you see a daily deal you can’t pass up, be sure to select WOKC as your cause and we will receive 10% of the proceeds!

Please act quickly – the organization that is most diligent and effective in getting the word out will be the biggest beneficiary! Visit www.rundaisy.com today to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Jersey Mike's Offers FREE Subs in Fundraising Finale for Wipe Out Kids' Cancer on Monday, March 28

3/25/2011 12:00:00 AM

Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area will cap off a March “Month of Giving” fundraising campaign for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), with a citywide community fundraising finale on Monday, March 28, by giving customers a free regular sub in exchange for a minimum $1 donation to the charity. Jersey Mike’s has dubbed this final day of the Month of Giving, “Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Day” and hopes that customers will give at least what they would have paid for the sub. Additionally, Jersey Mike’s is donating 100% of Silly Bandz sales to WOKC through March 28. Customers that make a $5 donation will receive six specially branded Jersey Mike’s Silly Bandz and a coupon for a free chip and a drink.

Since February 28, 14 DFW Jersey Mike’s restaurants have contributed 25 cents for each regular sub and 50 cents for each giant sub sold to Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, a local non-profit dedicated to supporting local pediatric cancer patients and raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. This final day of fundraising invites Dallas/Fort Worth residents to help make a difference with a $1 donation to WOKC in exchange for a free regular sub, although the hope is that customers will respond by giving even more.

Last year this campaign raised over $50,000 for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer which was used to help local pediatric cancer patients by providing funding for research and new treatments at Children’s Medical Center Dallas/Legacy and Cook Children’s Medical Center Fort Worth.

“We are so thankful for the support from Jersey Mike’s and the DFW community in 2010 that allowed us to provide funding for 4 critical research initiatives that provide hope to pediatric cancer patients,” said Evelyn Costolo, CEO for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. “We hope the DFW community will support Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Day on March 28 in an even bigger way this year and support our vision of a day when all children are living cancer free.”

“We can’t thank our customers enough for their generosity this past month,” said Dalton Stewart, Jersey Mike’s franchisee & North Texas Director. “Our goal is to really make Jersey Mike’s Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Day on March 28 a great event for the communities we serve while raising as much money as possible for a great cause. The money we raise will help save children’s lives and we’re hoping to exceed the $50,000 raised last year.”

DFW residents can make a difference for local pediatric cancer patients by simply eating a sub at any of the 14 DFW Jersey Mike’s locations through Monday, March 28, and can make an even bigger difference by spreading the word and bringing friends, family and co-workers to any DFW Jersey Mike’s on Monday, March 28.

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Addison Bowl-A-Thon Scheduled for April 14

3/21/2011 12:00:00 AM

Are you ready to bowl? The Town of Addison is hosting the 6th annual Raul Acevedo Bowl-A-Thon benefiting Wipe Out Kids Cancer.

Thursday, April 14
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
300 Dallas
3805 Belt Line Road
Addison, TX

You may have up to 6 bowlers on your team.
Bowling times are available at 3 pm, 4pm, 5pm or 6pm
Registration and payment deadline for the event is Monday, April 4th.

Sponsorship Levels

$1,500 Level – Become a presenting sponsor for the event. At this level get logo inclusion as a presenter on promotional materials, recognition at the event, and registration for 4 bowling teams.
$600 Level – At this level get logo inclusion on promotional materials, recognition at the event, and registration for 2 bowling teams.
$300 Level – At this level get logo inclusion on promotional materials, recognition at the event, and registration for 1 bowling team.

The deadline for company name and logo information is Friday, April 1st.

Companies and individuals that are not part of the town of Addison can download a registration form here:
http://app.perfectforms.com/player.htm?f=dC4ggAcG

For questions or to register by phone or email, please contact Brandon Graham at 972-450-2852 or bgraham@addisontx.gov

Laugh the Night Away and Help WOKC

3/15/2011 12:00:00 AM

Hyena's Comedy Nightclub at Mockingbird Station in Dallas is hosting an evening of comedy to benefit Wipe Out Kids' Cancer featuring local comedian and mom, Honor Shearer. Honor, known as the Soccer Mom of Comedy, has been working the Dallas comedy scene for 4 years. She loves to host charity shows and has raised close to $42,000 for local charities. Beneficiaries have included Lunch for Life, Doris Daniely Outreach for Breast Reconstruction, Coffee Park, and Be The Match.

Wednesday, April 13^thComedy Show: 8:15 p.m.

Tickets - $25

All proceeds from the show will benefit Wipe Out Kids' Cancer

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Honor at 214.709.7199 or emailing honorstar@sbcglobal.net For directions: hyenascomedynightclub.com

Vanderbilt Students Choose a Spring Break of Serving Others

3/15/2011 12:00:00 AM

WOKC was honored to be part of the 2011 Vanderbilt University Alternative Spring Break program last week. Twelve students from Vanderbilt University chose an Alternative Spring Break of community service in Dallas during the week of March 7-11 over the traditional spring break.

This is the second year for WOKC to be chosen as part of the Vanderbilt ASB program. The representatives from Vanderbilt’s ASB contacted WOKC in 2010 because they wanted to volunteer with an organization that focused on children’s health and pediatric cancer. They wanted to understand pediatric cancer from a personal perspective, from a non-profit perspective and from a medical perspective.

Ann Podeszwa, WOKC Board Member, coordinated the ASB for the Vanderbilt students. The students wanted to explore the world of pediatric cancer to gain insight into “a day in the life” of a pediatric cancer patient and to understand the effects of this terrible disease on the families of these inspiring children. They wanted lots of “hands-on interaction” with the children and families and wanted to gain a medical perspective by working rotations at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.

Ann was able to establish an experience that included sessions at Children’s Medical Center with oncology fellows, child life specialists & nurse practitioners as well as opportunities for the students to interact with the children and their families through community service organizations such as Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and the Ronald McDonald House.

The Vanderbilt students served both the 2010 & 2011 WOKC Ambassadors and families on Sunday, March 6, at the Ambassador Pinning Ceremony. The pinning ceremony was held in the Butterfly Atrium at Children’s Medical Center, and is the official ceremony that welcomes the incoming group of ambassadors and honors the outgoing group of ambassadors. The Vandy students helped with everything that day from set-up of the auditorium to escorting the honored guests and their families to their seats. The students also worked with pediatric cancer families at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas by serving meals and holding game nights.

A special highlight of the week was the dinner Ann hosted at her home for the 12 students along with 5 moms of kids with cancer to allow them to gain a better understanding of how cancer impacts relationships, child rearing, finances, etc.

Ann is also a cancer mom and understands the importance of the ASB program with WOKC, and said “I look at this as an opportunity to build awareness and advocates for pediatric cancer in future generations. We are no doubt impacting the pediatric cancer patients at Children’s Medical Center and the leaders of tomorrow in the Vandy students. Now Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer is a preferred site for the Vanderbilt ASB Program.”

About the Alternative Spring Break Program (ASB):
The Alternative Spring Break Program is a student-run community service organization whose mission is to promote critical thinking, social action and continued community involvement by combining education, reflection and direct service on the local, regional, national and international levels. As an alternative to the traditional spring break, the organization participates in service trips to cities across and outside the United States and strives to provide opportunities to fully immerse the participants in a solid week of volunteering and to develop a personal understanding of today’s important social issues. ASB is the largest run student organization at Vanderbilt which placed over 440 students in 37 locations within the US and abroad.

Welcome 2011 Ambassadors!

3/14/2011 12:00:00 AM

Sunday, March 6^thwas a big day at WOKC. It was the day we welcomed the 2011 Ambassadors with a beautiful pinning ceremony in the Butterfly Atrium at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. Evelyn Costolo, WOKC CEO, welcomed the guests and announced each new Ambassador as they came up to the front for the official pinning with beautiful pins donated by Lawrence Bock and Bachendorf’s. WOKC Founder and board member, Cindy Brinker Simmons, pinned the new group of ambassadors along with Elizabeth Zucker, WOKC Board Chairman, Kathy Ramsland and Gayle Horton, WOKC Board members. One of the new ambassadors, Karen Arreola, had been pinned the week before, during the Jersey Mike’s kick-off celebration. She was unable to attend the official pinning ceremony because she was upstairs on the 6^th floor at Children’s in isolation after undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

The 2010 Ambassadors were on hand to welcome the incoming group of Ambassadors and 6 year old Ashley Piltz, 2010 Ambassador, gave a short speech about what being a WOKC Ambassador had meant to her. Her favorite memories were the swim party, going to the Rangers’ Game and meeting Michael Young, the Christmas party at the house that had every room decorated and of course ……. the food!!! She said the food was good at every event!

WOKC was honored to have a very special group of student volunteers for the pinning ceremony. A group of 12 Vanderbilt students were in town for an Alternative Spring Break (ASB). They were part of a special Alternative Spring Break program with Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer coordinated through WOKC Board Member, Ann Podeszwa. The Vanderbilt students helped set up the auditorium and escorted the ambassador families to their places.

Butterflies were the theme of the ceremony and butterflies were everywhere …. Butterfly balloons, butterfly cupcakes to the beautiful butterflies on the ceiling of the atrium. Guests enjoyed a reception following the ceremony with delicious food provided by Children’s Medical Center. Our new 2011 Ambassadors are listed below. The ambassador page on the WOKC website will be updated soon with pictures and more information about this special group of children.

2011 WOKC Ambassadors

Karen Arreola, Age 10
Destiny Camacho, Age 12
Roberto Espinosa, Age 14
John Garcia, Age 9
Nataly Hernandez, Age 7
Randall Jones, Age 8
Michael Malone, Age 5
Fausto Montoya, Age 9
Santa Odemene, Age 9
Alec Ogle, Age 13
Stella White, Age 9
Roger Zapata, Age 11

Clear Channel Interview With Anna De Haro

3/11/2011 12:00:00 AM

Anna De Haro of Clear Channel Radio recently interviewed Evelyn, WOKC CEO, Justin, 2010 Ambassador and Dalton, Jersey Mike's, about the 2011 Jersey Mike's Month of Giving for WOKC. Be sure to listen Sunday, March 13 on these DFW radio stations

6:30 a.m.        KHKS Kiss 106.1 FM
7:00 a.m.        KDMX Mix 102.9 FM
                       KDGE The Edge 102.1 FM
                       KZPS Lone Star 92.5 FM
                       KXFR CNN 1190 AM
7:30 a.m.        KEGL The Eagle 97.1 FM

Everyone Has a Blast at the Jersey Mike’s Kick-off Celebration

3/2/2011 12:00:00 AM

Sunday, February 27 was the kick-off celebration for the 2011 Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving benefiting WOKC. It’s a good thing the Jersey Mike’s on Spring Valley was closed for regular business during the celebration because it was packed with VIP guests, media and some very special local heroes, the 2010 & 2011 WOKC Ambassadors and their families. The goal of the DFW Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving is to help these local heroes by raising awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research in the DFW area. Last year this campaign raised $50,000 which allowed WOKC to fund 4 pediatric cancer research trials and provide hope for a cure through research.

The ambassadors were treated to an afternoon of fun including jewelry making, crafts, and a very talented balloon artist. All guests were treated to delicious Jersey Mike’s subs, chips, cookies and drinks. Yummm!

Guests included WOKC founder, Cindy Brinker Simmons, Mayor Joe Chow of Addison and his wife, Chi Chi Lin, Miss Teen Collin County, Kara Terry, local high school and college volunteers, along with WOKC CEO Evelyn Costolo and WOKC Board Members. Many of the DFW Jersey Mike’s store owners were on hand with their families to join the celebration. Alana McIntyre, 1000-Words Photography, captured the event as only she can. She’s a very talented Dallas photographer who volunteers her time and talents to WOKC Ambassador events.

Jackie Washington and Kacey Sue of the Dallas Observer Street Team covered the event and handed out Observer goody bags to guests. The biggest hit of the bag were the movie screening passes to a new Disney movie, Mars Needs Moms. WFAA News 8 was also there to cover the event. Mike Richard of WFAA had a very touching interview with one of our 2010 Ambassadors, Hayden Michel and his parents, Gary and Cindy.

All in all, it was a great kick-off to the Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving. By the way … have you had your Jersey Mike’s sub for the day?

Click here for a slideshow of pictures from the event from the Dallas Observer Street Team.

Click here for a slideshow of pictures from 1000-Words Photography.

WOKC and Jersey Mike's Subs Team Up to fight pediatric cancer

2/22/2011 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids' Cancer (WOKC) is joining forces with Jersey Mike's Subs restaurants throughout the DFW area for the 2^nd annual fundraising campaign to help raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. The Month of Giving campaign will run from February 28 to March 27 and culminate with a citywide community fundraising day, Jersey Mike's "Wipe Out Kids' Cancer Day" on March 28.

Last year this campaign raised over $50,000 for Wipe Out Kids' Cancer which was used to fund four pediatric cancer research trials in 2011 at Children's Medical Center Dallas and Cook Children's Medical Center Fort Worth. WOKC allocated the funds towards research trials investigating new treatment options for two types of childhood cancers, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma.

“We are so thankful for the support from Jersey Mike's and the DFW community in 2010 that allowed us to provide funding for these critical research initiatives that provide hope to pediatric cancer patients,said Evelyn Costolo, CEO for Wipe Out Kids' Cancer. Every advancement in curing pediatric cancer has come through research but cancer is still the #1 cause of death by disease in American children. We hope the DFW community will support the Month of Giving in an even bigger way this year and support our vision of a day when all children are living cancer free.

During the March Month of Giving, all 14 DFW Jersey Mike's restaurants will make a 25 cent donation to WOKC for each regular sub sold and a 50 cent donation for each giant sub sold. Special donation buckets will be available in each store so customers can offer their own contributions to WOKC. Customers that make a $5 donation will receive six specially branded Jersey Mike’s Silly Bandz and a coupon for a free chip and a drink. One hundred percent (100%) of Silly Bandz sales will be donated to WOKC during the month.

On Monday, March 28, "Wipe Out Kids' Cancer Day" DFW residents will be invited to partner with Jersey Mike's by making a difference with a minimum contribution of a dollar to WOKC in exchange for a free regular sub ...although the hope is that customers will respond by giving even more.

“For Jersey Mike's "Wipe Out Kids' Cancer Day", we are asking that everyone come in with a generous heart and support this tremendous cause. While the minimum contribution is $1, we are hoping that people will give what they would have paid for the sub,” said Dalton Stewart, the Dallas franchisee who initiated the partnership. Our goal is to really make Jersey Mike’s Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Day on March 28 a great event for the communities we serve by raising as much money as possible for a great cause. Last year we were able to raise $50,000 which helped save children’s lives and that is awesome.

Reaching out to the community is a key component of Jersey Mike's mission. All franchise owners find ways to support their neighbors and employees are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents as well. The DFW area Jersey Mike’s 2010 Month of Giving fundraising campaign for WOKC was so successful that it’s being rolled out as part of a nationwide Month of Giving initiative benefiting more than 60 charities in celebration of the sub franchise's 55th Anniversary. QSR Magazine, a flagship publication for the restaurant industry, named the DFW Area Jersey Mike's Subs WOKC philanthropy campaign as one of the top stories that rocked the restaurant industry in 2010.

Ambassador's Mom Makes Generous Donation to WOKC

2/9/2011 12:00:00 AM

Justin is one of our WOKC Ambassadors who has a very generous and special mom, Cathy. Cathy recently had a birthday and asked her friends and family in lieu of gifts, to make a donation to WOKC. Cathy and Justin delivered $855 for WOKC to Evelyn this week. The picture here is Justin presenting the check to Evelyn, CEO for WOKC. Happy Birthday Cathy and Thank you!!

WOKC Buddy Bag Program has a new Sponsor!

1/24/2011 12:00:00 AM

RetailComm is a new partner of Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and a new sponsor for the Buddy Bag program.They are now providing warehouse space to store and volunteers to stuff 100 bags at a time! A WOKC Buddy Bag is given to each child admitted to Children’s Medical Center for cancer treatment at both the Dallas and Legacy locations. Over 150 families each year at Children's Medical Center experience the shocking cancer diagnosis and immediate admission to the hospital for treatment. Wipe Out Kids' Cancer started the Buddy Bag program as a way to reach out to these newly diagnosed families as they try to comprehend the cancer diagnosis.

The Buddy Bag is filled with personal items and hospital stay necessities to ease the transition from home to hospital for both the child and parents. All items in the bags were chosen by moms of kids with cancer, who know better than anyone what items might be needed at that time of crisis.

Giving back to the community is one of the core values of RetailComm, as well as sister companies, InteractComm and Irio Mobile. Russell Davis, CEO, and his employees live out this core value through quarterly community service projects. Employees spend a half day each quarter out in the community giving back to the non-profit of choice … on company time too.

The company selected Wipe Out Kids' Cancer as a beneficiary because a client and good friend of the company recently lost his 8 year old daughter, Hannah, to cancer.They wanted to do something to honor her memory so they contacted our office to see how they could help local pediatric cancer patients. The Buddy Bag program was a perfect fit because it allows them to help on a local level with an immediate impact. This also enables Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer to have a much quicker response time getting bags delivered to new pediatric cancer patients at Children's Medical Center in Dallas and Plano. Both the Dallas and Legacy locations were in need of more Buddy Bags last week, so we were able to load our cars and deliver them thanks to this incredible group of employees. Thank you RetailComm, InteractComm and Irio Mobile!!

How can you help?
If you would like to help the WOKC Buddy Bag program, we're always in need of specific items for the bags or funding to sponsor the Buddy Bag program. Current Wish List items include: books of stamps, note cards, flashlights (with batteries) disposable cameras, journals, pill cutters, and travel size bottles of shampoo, lotion & body wash. Contactrmoore@wokc.org for more information or call 214-987-4662.

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Donates $205,000 to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas

1/13/2011 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), recently donated $205,000 to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders(CCBD) at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. The donation will benefit pediatric cancer patients by funding two clinical research trials and will also provide funding for patient support services at the CCBD. The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s is a national leader in the diagnosis, treatment and research of pediatric cancer and provides services to approximately 1,000 new pediatric cancer patients each year.

Evelyn Costolo, CEO for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer, who presented the check on behalf of WOKC said, “Every advancement in curing pediatric cancer has come through research but cancer is still the #1 cause of death by disease in American children. We are so thankful for the support from our donors in 2010 that allowed us to provide funding for these critical research initiatives and hope for a cure to pediatric cancer patients.”

Dr. George Buchanan, Medical Director of the CCBD, was on hand to accept the donation along with Dr. Amy Pass, Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist, & Cristy Ecton, Outreach Manager for the CCBD. Children’s Medical Center has allocated $150,000 of the donation towards clinical research trials for two of the most common types of childhood cancers, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Each study will receive $75,000 for research projects investigating new treatments.

The $75,000 donation for medulloblastoma research was made in memory of Carson Leslie, a WOKC Ambassador who lost his battle with the disease in January of 2010. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer found in children. The survival rate for these patients has improved significantly over the years but survivors often suffer long-term complications from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Researchers will conduct a study with the intent of better understanding and refining treatment for this devastating childhood brain tumor

Neuroblastoma is the most common tumor found in young children. Patients usually respond well to the initial treatments, but there’s a high relapse rate and the cancer is much harder to cure when it returns. The neuroblastoma study will be led by Dr. Andrew Koh and Dr. Amy Pass with the specific goal of developing new treatments that will provide the best possible clinical care to neuroblastoma patients in the DFW area.

The remainder of the WOKC donation will provide 2011 funding for a Spanish Translator on the CCBD floor of Children's to help non-English speaking patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options. The donation will also provide funding to help expand the massage therapy program for pediatric cancer patients at the CCBD.

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Donates $125,000 to Cook Children’s Hematology and Oncology Center

1/13/2011 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC), recently donated $125,000 to Cook Children’s Medical Center of Fort Worth. The donation will provide 2011 funding for 2 projects that will benefit pediatric cancer patients on a national basis. Cook Children’s has allocated $75,000 of the funds to a new MIBG treatment program for neuroblastoma patients and $50,000 of the funds to a medulloblastoma research project. Dr. Jeffrey Murray and Dr. Meghan Granger of Cook Children’s were both on hand to accept the donation.

The $75,000 donation for the MIBG treatment program is being made by WOKC in honor of Michael Malone. Michael was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in December 2009 at age 4. Neuroblastoma is the most common tumor found in young children. Patients usually respond well to the initial treatments, but there’s a high relapse rate and the cancer is much harder to cure when it returns. The MIBG treatment is one of the most hopeful treatments available for neuroblastoma patients because it has a proven success rate of treating patients whose cancer has relapsed. Currently, there are only five MIBG treatment centers in the United States, and patients from the South and Southwest have previously had to travel to California, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Massachusetts for this cutting-edge treatment. The MIBG treatment room at Cook Children’s is expected to open in 2012 and will offer North Texas cancer patients like Michael Malone the hope of a cure along with the comfort of being close to home and family.

The $50,000 donation will be used to fund a medullobastoma research project headed by Dr. Jeffrey Murray, Medical Director of Neuro-Oncology at Cook Children’s. Medulloblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer found in children. The survival rate for these patients has improved significantly over the years but survivors often suffer long-term complications from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Researchers will study newly diagnosed medulloblastoma patients with the intent of better understanding and refining treatment for this devastating childhood brain tumor. The project is a collaborative effort among 5 research hospitals: Cook Children’s Medical Center of Fort Worth, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, Texas Children’s Hospital of Houston, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, and The Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma City.

Jersey Mike's Subs Rocks the Restaurant Industry in 2010 by helping WOKC!

12/14/2010 12:00:00 AM

QSR Magazine, a flagship publication for the restaurant industry, recently named the DFW Area Jersey Mike's Subs WOKC philanthropy campaign as one of the top stories that rocked the restaurant industry in 2010. The month-long campaign to benefit Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer started on Valentine’s Day and involved 11 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants in the DFW area. Each restaurant donated 25 cents from a regular sub sold and 50 cents from each giant sub purchased during the month to WOKC with the result of a $50,000 contribution to WOKC and pediatric cancer research.

Jersey Mike’s DFW franchisee and area director Dalton Stewart shared this, "For nearly 55 years, Jersey Mike’s has been partnering with local organizations to make a difference in the community. In the Dallas- Fort Worth market, we found an amazing cause to support in Wipe Out Kids' Cancer. Our franchisees, team members, and customers embraced the charity and together we were able to raise $50,000! It was one of those times that you look back upon and just say WOW!”

Congratulations and Thank You Jersey Mike’s Subs! QSR Rankings here

30th Anniversary Gala pictures posted on Paper City!

12/14/2010 12:00:00 AM

Thank you Paper City! Click here for an album of pictures from the WOKC 30th Anniversary Gala posted on PaperCity.com.

WOKC 30th Anniversary Gala pictures on Paper City

Thanks to Bob Miller and the Dallas Morning News for supporting Wipe Out Kids' Cancer

12/9/2010 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids' Cancer would like to thank Bob Miller for this article in the Dallas Morning News supporting our organization and cause. Thank you!

http://tinyurl.com/23cpmpz

Santa and Michael Young are Surprise Guests at Ambassador Christmas Party

12/8/2010 12:00:00 AM

Christmas came a few weeks early for the WOKC Ambassadors. The Ambassadors, along with their parents, brothers and sisters were treated to a very special Christmas party on Sunday, December 5 at the home of Madeline & Woody Hickman. The Hickman's home is a holiday fantasy with every room decorated with a special theme. There was the penguin room, the train room, the Disney room, the nutcracker room, the western room and more with over 20 Christmas trees …. Even an upside down Christmas tree!

There were over 100 guests at the party and the kids were treated to a special visit from Texas Ranger Michael Young who presented each Ambassador with a Toys R Us gift card from Michael and his wife, Cristina. The ambassadors had their picture taken with Michael and then Santa arrived! Each child sent a wish list to Santa of 3 things they wanted for Christmas. Santa did a great job of fulfilling all of those Christmas wishes and also brought a present to the Ambassadors’ brothers, sisters and parents. The Dallas Junior Forum provided the food, drinks and many elves to help with the party!

For a complete photo album of pictures from the event visit: www.facebook.com/wipeoutkidscancer

WOKC Guild Kicks Off the Holiday Season at Stanley Korshak

12/6/2010 12:00:00 AM

Stanley Korshak hosted a fun and festive evening at The Shak on December 2 for the Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer Women’s Guild and friends. Over 100 ladies and a few men enjoyed some holiday cheer with cocktails, tasty treats, a designer stocking auction and of course … shopping! Stanley Korshak graciously hosted the event, provided the refreshments and gave everyone a $50 gift card for The Shak. The highlight of the night was the silent auction of 18 unique Christmas stockings, designed and filled by local designers selected by Stanley Korshak. Merchandise that filled the stockings was donated by retailers including Stanley Korshak, Capital Grille, Dallas Stars, Texas Ballet Theater, The Mansion, D’Andra Simmons, Equinox and the Dallas Cowboys.

WOKC Guild hosts for the night included WOKC Guild officers: Kristi Cole, President, Blair Lechtenberger, Vice President, Katherine Coker, Secretary, Monique Hohmann & Angella Estess, Membership Chairs and Evelyn Costolo, WOKC CEO. Attendees included Di Johnston, Marilyn Augur, Kate Rose Marquez, Carol Riddick, Alison Malone and WOKC Founder, Cindy Brinker Simmons. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer and the WOKC Guild.

For a complete album of pictures from the Stanley Korshak event, visit: WOKC Facebook/Guild Holiday Event.

WOKC Honors Recipients for the Inaugural Norman Brinker Humanitarian Award and the 2010 Spirit of "Little Mo" Awards

11/15/2010 12:00:00 AM

Wipe Out Kids' Cancer honored the recipients for the inaugural Norman Brinker Humanitarian award and the 2010 Spirit of "Little Mo" awards at the 30th Anniversary Gala. To commemorate the 30 year anniversary milestone, the inaugural Norman Brinker Humanitarian Award was created in honor of the legendary Dallas restaurateur, philanthropist and father of WOKC founder, Cindy Brinker Simmons. This prestigious award was presented to Pete and Pat Schenkel for their extensive community support and philanthropic service to the Dallas community. Cindy Brinker Simmons and Toni Brinker, widow of Norman Brinker, jointly presented the award to the Schenkels.

WOKC was founded in 1980 by Cindy Brinker Simmons in memory of her mother, the late great tennis champion Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly Brinker, who died of cancer at age 34. The Spirit of “Little Mo” awards were created in 2005 to honor community leaders who represent Maureen Connolly Brinker’s spirit of hard work, humility, compassion and excellence and have a commitment to eradicating childhood cancer. The 2010 Spirit of “Little Mo” recipients are:

Cristy Ecton, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas was presented with the Education & Awareness Award which recognizes an individual who has served as an activist for children with cancer and their families, promoting awareness and advocating research funding. As Outreach Manager of the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders (CCBD) at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Ms. Ecton is the “face” and “voice” of the CCBD and her superb work as the focal point of the CCBD has contributed immensely to increasing public education and awareness for both the cause of childhood cancer and the Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer organization.

Dr. Meaghan Granger, Cook Children’s Medical Center of Fort Worth was presented with the Medical & Health Achievement Award which recognizes outstanding contributions in research, treatment, and education by members of the medical or health professions in pediatric cancer. Dr. Granger, a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology physician, is a true pioneer in neuroblastoma treatment and was selected because of her commitment to eradicating pediatric cancer and for her outstanding success in leading the efforts in the neuroblastoma research community. Thanks to her efforts in bringing cutting edge therapies and treatments locally, children in North Texas and across the country have benefitted.

Jersey Mike’s Subs was presented with the Philanthropy Award which recognizes outstanding generosity, charity, or patronage of pediatric cancer initiatives. Jersey Mike’s Subs epitomizes the cutting edge in corporate philanthropy: combining generous donations with the fullest possible integration of the business with the charity’s goals, beneficiaries, and programs. Jersey Mike’s has been a great partner to WOKC through its generosity, support and resources given to the WOKC mission of eradicating pediatric cancer. In just a little more than a year, Jersey Mike’s has sponsored creative campaigns that raised phenomenal sums and created priceless awareness for WOKC. The company has set a standard of excellence in philanthropy in general and toward WOKC specifically.

Lori Freeland was presented with the Volunteerism Award which recognizes outstanding service and significant volunteer contributions on behalf of Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. Mrs. Freeland is the spirit, heart, and hands behind the WOKC Buddy Bag program which provides a bag of hospital stay necessities to each child admitted to Children’s Medical Center of Dallas for cancer treatment. As the mom of a child with cancer (Kyle is now in remission), she wanted to help other families faced with the shocking cancer diagnosis and the unexpected sudden hospital admission. She started the Buddy Bag program and still administers it today. Getting the Buddy Bag contents donated and keeping them

stuffed, stocked, and delivered to Children’s Medical Center is an enormous commitment of Lori’s heart and time.

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert presents Cindy Brinker Simmons with a WOKC Day proclamation at the WOKC 30th Anniversary Gala!

11/12/2010 12:00:00 AM

Thanks to all of you who helped make the WOKC 30th Anniversary Gala a success! Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and the Dallas City Council designated November 5,2010, Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer day in Dallas and Mayor Leppert presented the official proclamation to WOKC founder Cindy Brinker Simmons during the evening’s festivities.

We had a sell-out crowd of over 300 at the Adolphus last Friday night, and we raised over $200,000! We are overwhelmed at the generosity and support of the sponsors and guests for the gala, and we thank each one of you for your contribution to our cause. The majority of these funds will be used to fund Medulloblastoma research at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and Plano and Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. Each dollar contributed will allow us to continue our fight against childhood cancer, until the day when all children are living cancer free. For a complete album of all pictures from the evening visit the WOKC Facebook Page,

WOKC Gala Guests - Don't miss the raffle tickets and wine pull tonight!

11/5/2010 12:00:00 AM

WOKC Gala guests - Be sure NOT to miss the raffle tickets and wine pull tonight! Raffle items include a Bed & Breakfast stay at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., 2 round trip tickets on American Airlines in the US 48, Caribbean, Mexico & Canada, and a pearl necklace from Bachendorf's Jewelry! Raffle tickets are $40 each or 3 for $100. Definitely worth it!

If you buy a Wine Pull ticket for only $50, you'll get a bottle of fine wine paired with a gift certificate to a wine tasting or dinner at a local Dallas establishment. Becky Murphy did an amazing job of getting donations for this! Each Wine Pull will be a surprise but we promise you won't be disappointed!