JMCE presents $14K check to Hasbro Children's Hospital

Check presentations often end with the traditional smile-oriented photographs, but not if those sometimes emotional events are held at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.

Seven children and as many adults representing the Johnston Memorial Cancer Events (JMCE) held a brief yet meaningful and highly-emotional presentation last Thursday morning inside the award-winning hospital’s Conference Center.

“We are so pleased to have all you folks here today,” Michele P. Brannigan, Hasbro’s Senior Gift Officer, told JMCE representatives who came armed with a mock check totaling $18,000. “I can’t tell you how grateful we are to have your support and tremendous efforts.”

Brannigan, also introduced Dr. Jennifer Welch and Clinical Social Worker Rachel Rogovin, who addressed the JMCE representatives, explaining that this year’s $18,000 gift will support educational opportunities for oncology patients as well as the Hasbro 5 Family Room renovation project.

“Both of these areas of support go to the heart of our Patient and Family Centered Care mission as Hasbro Children’s Hospital,” Brannigan said. “Having partners like the JMCE means the world to us, and we simply could not reach our goals without friends in the community like you and all who care tremendously about the children we treat.”

Although the JMCE has held four previous presentations, there weren’t many dry eyes after Brannigan spoke.

“We have such an amazing team working at Hasbro Children’s Hospital every day to provide the very best care for our young patients, from those on the front lines of treatment including nurses, doctors and therapists, to social workers, child life specialists and countless others who are devoted to each and every child who comes through our doors,” Brannigan said. “Your [JMCE] efforts are making a huge difference in the lives of many families.”

Past JMCE gifts to Hasbro Children’s Hospital have made what Brannigan and Welch called “a lasting impact on families – both the Survivorship Program and Bead Program are helping families every day.”

The Bead Program, for example, is an activity that children going through cancer treatment are invited to participate in. As they reach milestones in their treatment they receive a bead to signify that aspect of their journey. The children are also provided a journal to write about their experiences.

“At some hospitals it is called the Beads of Courage program,” Brannigan said. “It is meant to honor the journey that children undergoing cancer treatment are on. When they begin, children receive a bead with the letter of their name on a string. They add to the beads along the way – a bead for an inpatient stay, a round of chemotherapy, etc.”

Linda La Fazia, popular treasurer of the JMCE, said, “We funded the Bead Program last year; the whole concept was very impressive and we’re certainly glad we chose that route.”

But why do people like the La Fazias – Linda and her husband Vin – and other people like Chairman Dennis Quaranta and his wife Pat spend hour upon hour working on such fund-raising events as the Campfires for Cancer, JMCE Golf Tournament, Beer & Wine Tasting and Salzillo Game Dinner?

“Our group was started in memory of the late Sal Gelsomino, Laura DeAngelis and Anna Mazzulla who were a husband, father, wife, mother, grandparents and friends to many,” Quaranta said. “What better way to honor their memory than to help children fighting cancer. Our hope is that all donations will help the children of the Hematology/Oncology Department at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”

Linda La Fazia said of her tireless, year-round volunteer efforts, “I believe that cancer is touching every family – or so it seems. I hope that trying to treat the kids and hope for a cure, it will help the families get through their tough times. We love that Hasbro greets us with such enthusiasm and thankfulness, no matter what amount we donate.”

La Fazia then paused, her voice cracking with the day’s emotion, before adding, “I am lucky to have healthy kids and family and just feel giving back is something we should all do.”

Julianne DeAngelis, whose mother Laura succumbed to a bout with cancer, has attended every JMCE check presentation at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. It’s paramount with her and her father, Ernie DeAngelis, who are also highly-active committee members.

“The community I grew up in working so hard to keep my mom’s memory alive is very heartening,” Julianne DeAngelis said. “My mom’s compassion for children makes the fact that the monies raised goes towards brightening the lives of the children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital a perfect way to honor her memory.”