Why Me News Archives

Dec 24 2018

2018 End of the Year

All throughout 2018 we helped to create new fun memories for our Why Me children and families, whenever possible. We hosted a few days of school vacation activities in February and again in April. We had a fun evening out with our Why Me Moms. We celebrated holidays with fun events at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. We held movie nights, games nights and attended a few sporting events in Boston and Worcester. We brought our teen population together for a few fun outings and created a new volunteer group for those that wanted to “give back”. We watched parents bravely share their journey with attendees at our fundraising events. Overall, we did what we have for the last 30+ years – stand by our families and help provide moments of joy that they will remember long after their cancer treatment.

Thank you to our families for allowing Why Me into your lives. A special thank you to our donors and volunteers – we couldn’t create so many smiles without your help.

We look forward to making new memories in 2019.

May 15 2018

Welcome Rebecca to our Why Me Staff!

Some of you may have noticed a new (yet somewhat familiar) face working at our fundraising events and around Sherry’s House lately. We would like to welcome Rebecca Kuczarski as the new Director of Fundraising for Sherry’s House! Rebecca is a Why Me mom who was first introduced to the organization over 5 years ago when her youngest daughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with Leukemia. During that time Rebecca and her family participated in many family events and support groups.

Following the loss of Sophia in 2012, Rebecca dedicated herself to bettering the lives of families facing pediatric cancer. She has done this through several fundraising positions – one of which includes the family’s own grass roots non-profit, the Sophia FUNd. “I love running our yearly kickball event. It is a nice way for our friends and family to honor and remember Sophia.” Kuczarski goes on to explain that the event continues to grow each year and while they are proud to contribute to Why Me, with a portion of the proceeds from this event, she always wanted to do more. “Our event is once a year. We have fun and raise a lot of money, but in my new position at Why Me I get to work more closely with families and donors. I am excited to be a part of helping Why Me grow their support for families.”

Rebecca has quickly become a valued member of the team; diving right in at the busiest time of our fundraising season. “It is exciting to see each event from behind the scenes, start to finish. It takes a lot of coordination to host successful events. It feels good to be a part of a team where everyone is so dedicated to the success of each event.” In addition to seeing the events Kuczarski says it is inspiring to be in a space where she can see exactly where the money is going. With increases in this year’s funding Why Me has been able to offer new Family Fun events for all Why Me families as well as increase support to those living at Sherry’s House.

Why Me & Sherry’s House is an organization conceived, founded and run in part by families that have lived childhood cancer personally. This unique personal perspective has always provided clarity of our mission and an understanding of what families need. Parents who have lived this experience are passionate and focused and are one of the driving forces behind our success. Rebecca, as a Why Me parent, understands what we do and why it is so important.

Welcome Rebecca!

Read Rebecca’s bio here.

Mar 24 2017

Thank You for Touching the Tower with Why Me

Thank you to Andy Sharry, Worcester Fitness and everyone who came out to fourth installment of Touch the Tower with us on Wednesday, March 22nd. To say it was a cold stroll to Bancroft Tower is an understatement, temperatures hovered around 24 degrees but that didn’t stop anyone. More than 60 participants braved the bitter cold and raised over $775 for Why Me, bringing the Touch the Tower events total well over $2,500. All money raised has directly benefitted our Why Me families and we are so thankful for the support Andy and Worcester Fitness continue to provide. The next Touch the Tower event will be on June 21st, more information to come. View all the photos from the event here, photos courtesy of Kill the Ball Media.

touch the tower 4 — Photo by: www.joesantamaria.com

Learn more about the Touch the Tower events here.

Mar 09 2017

Touch the Tower

Touch the Tower

Fun Run/Walk

March 22, 2017

Touch the Tower 4

Andy Sharry and his family have been supporting Why Me and Sherry’s House for over a decade. He was first introduced to Why Me in 2000 when he and his father ran the Bermuda Marathon to support Why Me, specifically raising funds to build Sherry’s House. During the first couple years running for Sherry’s House, he and his family raised over $20,000 through various running and fitness events. Recently, he’s renewed for passion for supporting Why Me and Sherry’s House.

In 2015 Sharry began working as the Health and Wellness Director for Worcester Fitness, where he introduced the team to Why Me. “Worcester fitness is a great fit for me. They are a pillar of the fitness community in Worcester and are very invested in giving back.” Sharry explains. Worcester Fitness hosts many fundraising and charitable events throughout the year. As the Worcester Fitness running team coach, Sharry saw an opportunity to once again utilize his love for running to benefit Why Me.

In June of 2016 Worcester Fitness hosted the first Touch the Tower event in support of Why Me. The First Wednesday of each season the gym invites running/walking groups from across Worcester to participate in a 4 mile round trek to Bancroft tower, starting at Worcester Fitness. The event is open to the public and participation at any fitness level is encouraged. “Connecting people is my passion. I really wanted to create a community event that anyone could participate in.” Sharry states.

There are no time clocks and participants can run or walk. Leashed dogs and baby strollers are welcome.

Donations to Why Me are encouraged but community and awareness is just as important to Sharry. “ I love to facilitate opportunities for humans to interact in positive ways. I can’t think of better way to bring a community together than going for a run [or walk] to support these kids.”

The first Touch the Tower event brought together over 100 people and raised over $1200 for Why Me. The group has held the event each season and hopes to expand participation in 2017. Sharry shares, “The run is uphill and by the time you get to the top your legs are feeling it. Then you see these kids, like Kya -who lost her leg to cancer- who have to work hard everyday to stay healthy. It really puts it all into perspective.” Sharry remembers that at the June 2016 event Kya was in need of new crutches that were not covered by her insurance. “We tallied the money at the end of the day and we knew our donation would go directly to help get Kya what she needed. That is a pretty rare and special opportunity to see your donation help someone so directly. ”

Sharry hopes that by keeping the event casual, with no time clock or registration fee, participants can focus on the experience rather than their time and the funds will go straight to the families who need it.

Join Danielle, Director of Family Services, as she leads a team of Why Me walkers to Touch the Tower. All walkers/runners welcome. To join our team contact Danielle at dperron@whyme.org

Touch the Tower #4 fun run/walk

Worcester Fitness | 440 Grove St, Worcester, MA

March 22, 2017

Walkers will start at 5:45, runners start at 6:00

Can’t attend but still want to donate

Feb 17 2017

The Kuczarski Family Fill the Pantry Challenge

In the years after their youngest daughter Sophia lost her life to cancer, the Kuczarski family has remained a part of the Why Me family, both through their participation in bereavement programming offered at the house and through an active role as fundraisers and volunteers.

Rebecca Kuczarski explains “The support that Sherry’s House provided our family during Sophia’s illness and after her death has been a great source of comfort to our family. It is important for us to remain involved and show our kids that we are now in a place where we can give back to the house and help other families.”

The family started a Kickball tournament in Sophia’s name, Kickin’ it for The Sophia FUNd, the proceeds of which have supported various Why Me families and programs. They have donated gas cards, hospital care packages, helped with funeral costs, and funded memory making activities for Why Me families. A few times a year they like to stock the Sherry’s House food pantry. “We know what a relief that pantry can be to families who have been forced down to one income or who just can’t get to the grocery store after long days at the hospital.” Rebecca shares.

This year the Kuczarski’s decided to take their giving up a notch and created the first annual Food Pantry Challenge. “We challenged our kids, Ethan and Hannah, to each assemble a team of friends to shop with. We gave them each a budget and set some ground rules.” The Kuczarski’s wanted to create an opportunity for their children to include their friends in the giving. “Many of the kids from school participate in the kickball tournament and we wanted to give them an opportunity to experience the house and see where their donations are going.” Eric Kuczarski adds.

The teams gathered and were given 30 mins to prepare for their shopping trip. The Tweens (Hannah’s team) prepared by collecting reusable bags, saving them .05 per bag, coupons and a detailed list. The Teen Team (Ethan’s team) took a more laid back approach working off of sales in the store. Both teams were driven to their respective Price Chopper Markets, the clock was set and the shopping began!

The teams chose items from the Sherry’s House pantry WISH LIST and were awarded extra points for high need items. They had 1 hour to shop and were deducted points if they were not in line by the buzzer. With a gentle reminder over the grocery store loudspeaker “Attention Sophia Fund Shoppers this is your 5 min warning.” both teams made it to the checkout in time!

Both groups reconvened at Sherry’s House where they lay out their bounty for the judges. “The kids really enjoyed showing their friends the house. They could show them that it is a fun and happy place.”

The Kuczarski’s invited the kids living in the house to participate in the judging process.

The Tweens won, 101 to 80, thanks to their careful planning and secret cost saving strategies. The first place winning was a day at Sky Zone. The runners up walked away with a pizza party. Both teams were prized with new friends and lasting memories.

“It was great to fill the pantry, but this time was different. Having all of the kids, my kids, their friends and the kids at the house, working together and having fun together made a lasting impact on them.” Rebecca goes on to explain that this experience also helped to normalize cancer and Sherry’s House for Ethan and Hannah’s friends, which is important to them as a family as they continue to navigate life without Sophia.

The Kuczarski’s say they look forward to the next Food Pantry Challenge where they will invite new friends to participate and continue to spread awareness of the needs of the house.

For more information on donating to the Sherry’s House Food Pantry visit Sherry’s House Wish List or call (508) 757-7734