The HEADstrong Foundation is very pleased to announce that the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Feast was very successful. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to expand the dinner to another floor of the hospital. The true meaning of Thanksgiving was felt as the HEADstrong Foundation gave back so that families could enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings and share the holiday with their sick loved one. There is nothing more rewarding for us than in keeping with Nick’s tradition of helping others during their time of need and we thank the volunteers who donated their time to this worthwhile cause. Please take a few minutes to enjoy the pictures taken by Lois Michaliszyn (Wohwee Photography) and you will see the happiness that we were able to bring to the patients, their families and the medical staff of the inpatient oncology unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
The “Turtle” also made its debut and was donated to the 6th floor of the Rhodes Pavilion in memory of Nick Colleluori. This multi-media mobile unit allows patients to enjoy movies, music and games during their hospital stay. It was Nick’s concept as a way to escape the reality of cancer even if only for a few minutes. It was exhilarating to see the “Turtle” being utilized when one of the patient’s asked to be the first one to use it. She and her visitors were able to enjoy a Disney feature. Our hope is to obtain corporate sponsors to help us donate “Turtles” to other inpatient cancer treatment facilities across the United States.
I was in the hospital with Leukemia during the Thanksgiving feast organized by the HEADstrong Foundation. It was the best Thanksgiving of my life. I was blown away to see how much people cared. There were in all total 26 of my family members in attendance. It was only for a few hours but I felt like I was back home with my family with no worry about cancer or being in the hospital. It meant so much to me that I promised the Colleluori family that next year I would be volunteering with the foundation. I have been lucky enough to be able to keep that promise. In 2009, just 7 months after my stem cell transplant, I helped with the feast. Nick wanted to help other people at their time of need. In remembering Nick’s spirit, I will do everything I can to carry on his mission.
Be Relentless,
Joseph Clifford III
