CURE Childhood Cancer Celebrates Resilience at 11th Annual Catie’s Gathering in Savannah Presented by Coastal Electric

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization dedicated to supporting local children with cancer and funding pediatric oncology research, invited the community to celebrate hope and resilience at the 11th annual Catie’s Gathering in Savannah Presented by Coastal Electric. This heartwarming event, held in memory of Catie Wilkins, a young girl who bravely fought cancer, took place at Kehoe Iron Works at Trustees’ Garden.

Guests enjoyed an elegant cocktail reception and dinner catered by Magnolia Grill Catering, and live music from Junkyard Angel. The evening also featured silent and live auctions, inspiring stories, and meaningful connections.

Since its inception, Catie’s Gathering has grown from one to five event locations in South Georgia, and events have raised nearly $4 million, directly impacting the lives of children with cancer. Funds support CURE’s research initiatives, like the Precision Medicine program, which develops individualized treatments based on each child’s unique genetic makeup. Additionally, funds provide critical support to families facing unimaginable challenges.

Coastal Electric of Georgia is the title sponsor, joined by Memorial Health, Dr. Larry and Susan Woods, Atlantic Radiology, Mrs. Cynthia Willett and Pintail Site Preparation.

“Catie’s Gathering is a powerful testament to the love and compassion of our community, united in the fight against childhood cancer,” says Mandy Garola, Vice President of CURE Childhood Cancer in South Georgia. “The funds raised at this event directly impact the lives of children battling this disease, giving them the chance for a brighter future. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests who make this event possible.”

CURE Childhood Cancer is working for a cure by funding research exclusively for childhood cancer and supporting families affected by the disease. Childhood cancers differ from adult cancers in how they grow and spread, how they are treated, and how they respond to treatment. More than 17,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer every year, and incidence rates are increasing yearly. Despite cancer being the leading cause of death by disease in children, only six cancer drugs have been developed and approved specifically for children in the last 25 years.

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

CURE Childhood Cancer Raises More Than $93,000 at Football-themed Homecoming Fundraiser

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization providing financial and emotional support to local children and families while raising funds to further critical research specifically for pediatric oncology, raised more than $93,000 at its annual Homecoming event at Forest City Gun Club, 9203 Ferguson Ave.

The event was a football-themed celebration with delicious tailgate-inspired food, drinks and plenty of exciting college football to cheer for on multiple screens.

“It was so wonderful for our community to come together and support our mission to find a cure for childhood cancer,” said CURE Vice President, South Georgia Mandy Garola. “We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and donors, and completely blown away by how much was raised to support our research efforts and patient and family services.”

At halftime, guests watched a video sharing the story of Myles, a young Savannah teen’s battle with a brain tumor. The atmosphere in the room shifted as the crowd took in the story and the enormity of the battle this young man was fighting. Guests learned how Myles’s journey has been made a bit smoother through his enrollment in Precision Medicine, funded by CURE. Precision Medicine provided genetic testing of his tumor that revealed a targetable mutation that has impacted his treatment.

Myles’ video can be watched here: https://vimeo.com/862434975

“It was lovely to have Myles and his family in attendance as their story was shared,” said Jenny Wilkins, CURE Development Director of Events, South Georgia. “The event raised more than $93,000 and was a great night that introduced CURE Childhood Cancer to a lot of new people. We are already looking forward to next year’s event.”

Homecoming sponsors included EnviroVac, West Construction, Daniel Reed Hospitality, and Thomas and Hutton.

More information can be found at childhoodcancer.org/homecoming.

About CURE Childhood Cancer
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has a staff of six in Savannah. It is the only organization providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – September Schedule of Events for CURE Childhood Cancer

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) In recognition of September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization providing financial and emotional support to local children and families while raising funds to further critical research specifically for pediatric oncology, held a full schedule of events as follows:

Thursday, September 1: Celebrate September Ice Cream Social

• Location: Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital Of Savannah, 4700 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31404
• Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Details: In support of the youngest cancer patients and survivors, CURE will host an Ice Cream Social featuring Leopold’s Ice Cream, games, and crafts. The event will take place in the Sunshine Park & Healing Garden. The public is invited.

Friday, September 2: Benedictine Military School Gold Out Game for the CURE

• Location: Memorial Stadium, 101 John J. Scott Dr, Savannah, GA 31406
• Time: 7:30 p.m. start time
• Details: Benedictine Military School will host a Gold Out football game for CURE. Players’ helmets will have gold ribbon stickers and the cheerleaders will pass out gold beads and footballs. BC plays Westminster.

Additional Gold Out sporting events benefiting CURE include:

• September 8: South Effingham High Softball (against Brunswick High)
• September 13: Effingham County High Softball (50/50 raffle and first pitch by family in memory of their daughter)
• September 15: SEHS and ECHS Volleyball (Rivalry game. T-shirt sales and raffle for CURE)
• September 23: Effingham County High School (50/50 raffle at game and Coins4CURE coin drive)

Monday, September 5: Chicken Salad Chick Cookies for CURE

• Location: Chicken Salad Chick locations
  • Savannah, Ga.: 7400 Abercorn St #512, Savannah, GA 31406
  • Pooler, Ga.: 155 Traders Way #300, Pooler, GA 31322
  • Statesboro, Ga.: 430 Northside Dr E Suite 174, Statesboro, GA 30458
  • Bluffton, S.C.: 20 Discovery Dr #102, Bluffton, SC 29910
• Store hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Details: Chicken Salad Chick will release a new cookie in support of CURE Childhood Cancer, their national partner organization. Lemon Burst Buttercream Cookies will be sold starting Monday, September 5, with a portion of the proceeds donated to aid pediatric cancer research. The stores are also giving a free scoop of chicken salad for any donation to CURE.

Additional dining and shopping events benefiting CURE include:

• September 9: Kendra Scott Proceed Day (between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., 20% of any purchase will go to CURE);
• September 13: Zunzifest (between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., 26% of sales from Zunzi’s + Zunzibar will be donated to CURE);
• September 15: Papa’s Bar-B-Que & Seafood (Proceed night with 10% of sales being donated to CURE);
• September 19: Rusty Pig BBQ (Proceed night with 10% of sales being donated to CURE);

Tuesday, September 20: Chick-fil-A Cookies for CURE

• Location: Lowcountry Chick-fil-A locations:
  • 2111 E Victory Dr, Savannah, GA 31404
  • 303 Mall Blvd, Savannah, GA 31406
  • 11152 Abercorn St, Savannah, GA 31419
  • 2021 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA 31322,
  • 180 Pooler Pkwy, Pooler, GA 31322
  • 5438 GA-21, Rincon, GA 31326
  • 877 W Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville, GA 31313
  • 352 Northside Dr. E, Statesboro, GA 30458
  • 2349 E 1st St, Vidalia, GA 30474
• Store hours: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Details: For one day only, 100% of Chick-fil-a’s Chocolate Chunk Cookie sales at Lowcountry Chick-fil-A locations will be donated to CURE Childhood Cancer. Sales include individual and 6-count cookies.

Now through October 31: The Giving Pump Promotion at Shell Gas Stations

• Details: Sommers Oil Company, in accordance with Shell Oil Company’s Force for Good, is raising funds for pediatric oncology patients and their families through the end of October by donating to CURE Childhood Cancer. There are more than 40 participating pumps across Ga. and South Carolina.
• To find a participating gas station nearby, visit https://www.shell.us/motorist/together-we-are-a-force-for-good/fill-up-for-a-good-cause-at-the-giving-pump.html.

Several businesses partnered with CURE for the entire month, including:
Towne Pharmacy of Rincon, Midtown Pizza, Mansion on Forsyth Park Hotel, Next Move Real Estate, Savannah Toyota, South Fork Provisions, DumasSmith & Associates, eXp RElaty, Tosa Coffee Company, Chicken Salad Chick, Durrance Group at Keller Williams Realty Coastal Area, Refine, Glossy Girl Lipgloss by Ava, Southern Kafe on 17, The Ice Cream Stop, Richmond Hill Auto Care, Radiant Skin Medical Spa, Ally’s Bakery, RealtyOne Group, River Street Sweets, and True South Designs.

For more information and list updates, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org/september

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

CURE Childhood Cancer Proudly Announces $5 Million in Research Grants

Largest Annual Disbursement to Date

(SAVANNAH, GA) – CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization providing financial and emotional support to local children and families while raising funds to further critical research specifically for childhood cancer treatments, announces $5 million in research grants for its 2022-2023 fiscal year. The grants have been awarded to top scientists at leading pediatric cancer research institutions across the nation and represent CURE’s highest disbursement in a single grant cycle. This brings CURE’s total investment in research over the last 17 years to more than $44 million. New for this grant cycle, CURE is awarding two-year grants in both its Early Investigators and Translation to CURE Award groupings.

06.27.2023 – Yana Pikman, MD in her lab at Dana-Farber. Photo by Sam Ogden.

“We are so pleased and proud that CURE is providing an outstanding level of support to very promising research this year,” said Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. “We opted to fund two-year grants this year so researchers can focus on finding cures rather than finding funding. All of the grants aim to make better-tolerated and less-toxic therapies, with a special emphasis on relapsed and refractory disease where current treatments are quite noxious and often not very effective for children.”

CURE’s funding decisions are guided by its Peer Review Committee, a group of practicing oncologists and academic scientists who conduct a rigorous review of more than 50proposals to assess both scientific merit and alignment with CURE’s goals. Of those proposals, CURE selected 11 studies to fund, most of which offer hope of testing more effective treatments for childhood cancers with poor prognosis within 2-3 years.

“Using their collective expertise in research and the clinical care of children with cancer, the committee selected the most innovative investigators and beneficial research projects through a national competition submitted in March 2023,” said William C. Phelps, PhD, leader of CURE’s Peer Review Committee. “Independent, comprehensive, and confidential peer review ensures that CURE’s investments in research are focused on those projects most likely to significantly improve outcomes for children with cancer.”

CURE’s 2023 Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative includes the following studies:

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University

• Aflac Precision Medicine Program – $1.5 million. Advances in precision medicine have helped scientists design studies targeting specific molecular pathways required for cancer growth. Shared information from multi-institutional programs is giving investigators the needed insights to research new treatments and clinical trials to reach children sooner than before.

Early Investigators (Two-year grants)

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University

• Shubin Shahab, MD – PBK and let-7 Group 3 medulloblastoma treatment resistance

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

• Kyle L. MacQuarrie, MD, PhD – Biological consequences of altered chromosomal organization in rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital (Cleveland)

• Kristen Van Heyst, DO – Tumor microenvironment modulation as an effective therapy for osteosarcoma

Translation to CURE Awards (Two-year grants)

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University

• Kelly Goldsmith, MD – Second generation gamma delta T-cell therapy for neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma

Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School

• Yana Pikman, MD – Targeting RAS pathway mutations for pediatric acute leukemia therapy
• Pietro Genovese, PhD – Empowering pediatric immunotherapies by HSC engineering

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

• Praveen B. Raju, MD, PhD – Nanotherapeutic targeting of PPM1D inhibitors across the blood-brain barrier for DIPG

Stanford University

• Agnieszka Czechowicz, MD, PhD – Development of receptor tyrosine kinase-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T-cells as dual hematopoietic stem cell transplantation conditioning and immunotherapeutic agents for cure of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Seattle Children’s Hospital

• Elizabeth Lawlor, Md, PhD – Augmenting the efficacy of BET inhibitors for metastatic Ewing sarcoma

University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Erwin Van Meir, PhD – Small molecule targeting of epigenetic reader MBD2 for medulloblastoma therapy

University of Minnesota

• Beau Webber, PhD – Genetically engineered gamma delta T-cells for treatment of metastatic osteosarcoma

Full funding of three fellowships

Dr. Robert Lisac, MD – Sam Robb Fellow. A childhood cancer survivor, Dr. Lisac endured years of complications from a bone marrow transplant. Because of this, his research specializes in bone marrow transplants and survivorship.

Dr. Jason Stevenson, MD – Connelly Family Fellow. Inspired to enter the medical profession by his mother, a nurse, his clinical and research interests include leukemia/lymphoma and the factors affecting adverse events and outcomes during treatment.

Toni Chanroo, MD – Dr. Chanroo is a first-year fellow entering her fellowship with a strong interest in the care of pediatric cancer survivors. She developed a passion for this patient population in medical school and residency.

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children.CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

CURE Childhood Cancer Benefits from 7th Annual “Coaches for Curing Cancer” 5K and 10K Race

CURE Childhood Cancer Benefits from 7th Annual “Coaches for Curing Cancer” 5K and 10K Race

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) The Karl DeMasi Sports Report, along with Coaches for Curing Cancer, will proudly host the 7th Annual Coaches for Curing Cancer 5K and 10K Walk/ Run Race on Saturday, June 3 at 7:30 a.m. at the Howe2Run specialty store located at 11 Gateway Blvd. Savannah, Ga 31419.

The race is benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization providing financial and emotional support to local children and families while raising funds to further critical research specifically for pediatric oncology. This event is an opportunity to unite as a community and make a difference while having fun, exercising, and enjoying the beautiful Savannah scenery.

For additional information about the Coaches for Curing Cancer 5K and 10K Walk/Run Race or to sign up, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Savannah/CoachesForCuringCancer5kRun.

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

CURE Childhood Cancer Named Beneficiary of First Annual Peach Week in Savannah, Georgia

(SAVANNAH, Ga.) CURE Childhood Cancer, a Georgia-based non-profit dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families, was named the beneficiary of Pearson Farm’s first annual Peach Week in Savannah, Ga.

Eight participating farm-to-table Savannah restaurants will use Pearson Farm peaches in special menu items from Thursday, June 22, through Sunday, June 25.

The highly-acclaimed restaurants celebrating Peach Week are Husk, both Collins Quarter locations, The Fitzroy, Cotton & Rye, Thompson Hotel Savannah, Common Thread and Ardsley Station. Every participating restaurant will feature a creative, peach-inspired menu item, with a portion of the proceeds going to CURE.

Pearson Farm will also be selling their sweet peaches direct to consumers at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1003 E. Victory Dr., Savannah, on Saturday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Additionally, Pearson Farm passed out peaches to oncology patients and their families at the Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah.

“Pearson Farm is proud to announce a partnership with CURE Childhood Cancer to launch Peach Week in Savannah. We are grateful for the chefs in our community who have come together to support this wonderful cause,” said Kyle Barfield, Marketing Manager of Pearson Farm. “We invite all of Savannah to join us in supporting this important cause by visiting one of the many restaurants participating in Peach Week. Together, we can make a difference for those affected by childhood cancer.”

>Nestled in bucolic Fort Valley, Ga., approximately 25 miles southwest of Macon, Ga., Pearson Farm offers fresh fruit and nuts, preserves, jellies, flavored pecans, and wholesome baked goods from their on-location bakery, Mary’s Kitchen. They also offer their goods by mail order. Their family business relationships with numerous restaurants are a shining example of their farm-to-table ethos. Pearson Farm has supported the growth of authentic Georgia-grown peaches and pecans, as well as the growth of the five generations of family that pioneered it for more than 135 years. Their core values remain the same today — good soil, hard work, honest dealings, family and faith. Peaches and pecans are grown, harvested, and hand-packed on location.

“Working with the people at Pearson Farm has been wonderful, and we are so excited for the first annual Peach Week celebration,” said CURE VP of South Georgia Mandy Garola. “Their great idea and the creativity of Savannah’s fabulous chefs will undoubtedly raise needed funds to continue the CURE mission. I can’t wait to try some of the dishes.”

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina.

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

CURE Childhood Cancer’s Thirteenth Annual ‘Catie’s Gathering’ Fundraiser Held in Effingham, Ga.

(EFFINGHAM, Ga.) CURE Childhood Cancer, the only organization providing financial and emotional support to local children and families while raising funds to further critical research specifically for pediatric oncology, held a Catie’s Gathering dinner and auction in Springfield, Ga.

Guests enjoying annual Catie’s Gathering in Effingham

Catie’s Gathering is an annual, inspiring event benefiting Catie’s Fund of CURE Childhood Cancer. The dinner featured unique, individually-themed table decorations, a silent auction, a live auction, and a moving program of speakers. Performances by the Junkyard Angels and the CC Witt Duo began the evening, and Melodie Wall, a native of Effingham County and mother of a cancer survivor, provided moving remarks. This is the thirteenth Catie’s Gathering in Effingham County, and it raised $386,741 this year. Since its creation, Catie’s Gatherings have grown to five separate events in South Georgia and to date, Catie’s Fund has raised $3 million.

“The beauty of Catie’s Gathering is the powerful bonds it builds,” said Mandy Garola, Vice President of CURE in South Georgia. “We love joining together year after year to raise awareness and funds with those who share the same passion for fighting childhood cancer. We are truly grateful to our volunteers, hostesses, donors and sponsors who make Catie’s Gathering possible. Five years is an exciting milestone for Catie’s Gathering Effingham, and we cannot wait to see what the evening holds.”

The funds raised are invested in CURE’s research initiatives – specifically the Precision Medicine Program, which focuses on individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup. The funds also offer general support to patients and their families fighting childhood cancer.

Springfield Elementary School was the title sponsor of Catie’s Gathering Effingham. Hero sponsors included South Effingham Elementary and The McGraley Company and the Champion Sponsors included Sand Hill Elementary, 360 Industrial, Bank of Newington, Chick-fil-A Rincon, Harco Construction, Sherman & Hemstreet, South Effingham Middle, Tina Dasher, Ebenezer Elementary School and Effingham County High School.

CURE Childhood Cancer is working for a cure by funding research exclusively for childhood cancer and supporting families affected by the disease. Childhood cancers differ from adult cancers in how they grow and spread, how they are treated, and how they respond to treatment. More than 17,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer every year, and incidence rates are increasing yearly. Despite cancer being the leading cause of death by disease in children, only six cancer drugs have been developed and approved specifically for children in the last 25 years.

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children.CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075

Catie’s Gathering Statesboro Returns

After three years of postponement, Catie’s Gathering Statesboro is back and better than ever! 

Statesboro community welcomed CURE Childhood Cancer back in full swing with the first annual Catie’s Gathering Golf Tournament on the gorgeous greens of the Forest Heights Country Club (FHCC). Participants had the chance to win a brand-new car on hole 13 with a lucky hole-in-one shot, thanks to Franklin Toyota. No one drove off in the new wheels, but everyone had fun trying to sink a hole-in-one!

FHCC became filled with the fragrance of fresh flowers and table settings worthy of a museum exhibition.  The details that the table hosts planned for their personal table themes were extraordinary. From pickle jars filled with pickleball balls to groovy tye-die roses, Catie’s Gathering table hosts and their guests comfortably sat in fashion for a dinner to remember.

Much fun was had during the cocktail hour as guests mingled, had videos made with friends in the 360 camera booth, and enjoyed the music of Matt Waters.  Honey’s Catering prepared a delectable spread that filled the stomachs of the 250 attendees.

However, between the sweetest performance by Anna Hayes Polk and the inspirationally moving speech delivered by Greyson Kennedy (both local, Statesboro childhood cancer survivors), the hearts of the guests were filled as well.

Both live and silent auctions ended with fantastic items going home with wonderful supporters. Jody Polk planned a wonderful night, and her community helped make it an incredible success, raising a total of $137,471 between the two events! The money raised will be used to fund vital research in Precision Medicine, an area of study that personalizes treatment for each patient by looking at the genetics of the cancer.

To view photos of the event, visit:
https://curechildhoodcancer.org/caties-gathering-statesboro-photo-gallery/

ABOUT CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE has dedicated more than $38MM to specific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. CURE is headquartered in Atlanta and has an active staff operating throughout the greater Savannah area. It is the only organization funding pediatric cancer research and providing this level of financial and emotional support to local children and families across Georgia and parts of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Cynthia Cradduck
Managing Partner, Cecilia Russo Marketing
cynthia@crussomarketing.com
912.856.9075