Skip to content

Why Me

Love and Support for Families with Childhood Cancer

Annual Appeal 2023

November 2023

Dear Friends,

Why Me’s story is one of resilience, starting with a few dedicated volunteers, a handful of families, little money, and first-hand knowledge of the support services that would be most helpful. We persevered through the years, building Sherry’s House while the need for our services grew. In 2020, we faced adversity head-on when the Covid-19 pandemic changed how we supported our families. Through the years, we continue to adapt to new challenges that come our way.

This year, on a frigid Sunday morning in February, a sprinkler pipe in the playroom at Sherry’s House burst. Water poured down all over our beautiful paper cranes, into the kitchen, and down the ductwork into our office. The extensive damage brought the playroom down to the studs and made way for kitchen and office renovations. For the nine months that Sherry’s House was under renovation, our staff worked tirelessly, remaining focused on meeting the needs of our families without interruption.

Resiliency continues to be essential in our everyday work. If you look in the eyes of a child battling cancer, you will see tenacity and resilience, longing to be a normal child. The fact is a family that has a childhood cancer diagnosis is anything but normal. These families are isolated, fractured, and just trying to get by, which is why our services are so important. We bring families together, help them create new memories to last long beyond cancer treatment, and reassure them they are not alone.

You can be a part of creating these memories and giving families hope. Just think of the difference you can make. A donation of…

♥ $100 will buy take-out for 1 family in residence at Sherry’s House. After a long day at the hospital, this will give them a night off from cooking.
♥ $250 will purchase 1 month of chips, cookies, and other snacks to be brought to the hospital for clinic visits.
♥ $500 will send a mother and father away to our annual Bereavement Retreat weekend. This weekend is for them to focus on their grief and the child they lost.
♥ $2,500 pays for one week of entertainment at our Summer Camp.
♥ $5,000 will provide 5 graduating Why Me teens with a scholarship for their future endeavors.

This year, with the help of our friends, supporters, and donors, we helped our Why Me families root for the WooSox from a suite, drop the puck at a Worcester Railers game, get princess makeovers, search eagerly for Easter Eggs at our annual Easter Egg Hunt, catch fish at our annual Spree Day, cheer with excitement at the Celtics, and so many other experiences.

In these last 38 years, we have helped over 1,000 families through the shocking words, “Your child has cancer,” and that number continues to grow at record rates. You can be a part of continuing to create special memories and new support services through a gift to Why Me. Please make your tax-deductible checks payable to Why Me and mail them to 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester MA 01602. You can also make your secure contribution online, here. Please note Annual Appeal in the comments section.

Thank you for investing in Why Me and our future. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Warm regards,

Rebecca signature

 

 

Rebecca Kuczarski
Executive Director

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” – Maya Angelou

 

Annual Appeal 2022

December 2022

Dear Friends,

Ten years ago, I lost my four-year-old daughter to Leukemia. Sophia was an absolute ray of sunshine. The youngest of my three children, she was carefree, kind, thoughtful, and adoring of her older siblings, Ethan and Hannah. Upon Sophia’s diagnosis, our lives became fraught with uncertainty. Our world turned upside down emotionally and financially.

Ethan, Hannah, and Sophia

We were a Why Me family for the seven months that Sophia was on treatment before her unexpected passing – attending the Holiday Party and Easter Egg Hunt and participating in the parent support group. We got by with the support of our community, but once Sophia was gone, we worried about what support, if any, would still be available.

There’s this saying you hear around Why Me, “Once a Why Me family, always a Why Me family,” and it rang true. We were given bereavement support, not just for my husband Eric and me but also for the kids. We met other bereaved families, and our children formed life-long bonds. This support was pivotal in our healing.

Five years ago, I joined Why Me as the fundraising manager. This August, I became the Executive Director and now oversee the creation and maintenance of programming that was helpful to our family, bringing me full circle with the organization. Hospital visits with coffee and donuts, the presents that showed up when Sophia landed in the hospital right before Christmas, and all the small things in between, were such a relief to us and continue to be for other families like ours.

I can assure you that a childhood cancer diagnosis leaves an impact that lasts a lifetime. Just think of the difference you can make! Every clinic visit, support group meeting, and family fun event would not be possible without our extended community of Why Me supporters.

My family is just one of over 800 that Why Me has supported in the last 37 years. You can be a part of continuing to create special memories and new support services through a gift to Why Me. Please take a moment and read through our annual appeal, highlighting a few of our families and their personal journey with childhood cancer.  It also includes some of our family events and fundraisers from the last few years and some dates to note for 2023. Consider making your tax-deductible donation to Why Me here, or mail in your contribution to us at 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester MA 01602. Please note Annual Appeal in the comments section.

By supporting Why Me, you are investing in our future, so we can continue to help children like my Sophia. Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy and healthy holiday season.

Warm regards,

Rebecca Kuczarski

Executive Director

“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” – Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb

 

“The Next Step”

The first annual 100 Mile Ruck March Challenge took place in July and raised over $73,000 for Why Me. This is a military inspired event, where a small group of athletes ruck (hike) 25 miles a day for 4 days. Camping out each night on the farm of a local brewery and continuing the march at sunrise each morning. Athletes carry everything they need for this 4 day event on their backs, navigate the 100 mile course, cook their own meals, set up and break down their own camps each night, tend to their feet and bodies, all in an attempt to earn the coveted 100 Mile Ruck March Finisher Medal.  From the early stages of planning to stepping off day 1 at Sherry’s House through every blister to the final two athletes crossing the finish line – the entire event was filmed by Brandon Dziokonski, from Cinch I.T.

Brandon then took all of the footage and seamlessly weaves together an incredible documentary that captures the raw emotion of the entire experience. The Next Step is not only the compelling journey of 15 athletes pushing their minds and bodies while discovering their limits but also the fortitude of children and their families battling pediatric cancer.  We encourage everyone to take the time to watch the movie whether on your device or streaming on your television.

All 15 athletes are local entrepreneurs or business owners, some with young children, who put their professional and personal lives on hold for four days to raise funds and awareness for Why Me. Some spent months training, wherever they could fit it into their day – whether early in the morning or late at night.  In so many ways this competition honored many obstacles that a child with cancer faces. Our athletes were away from their families and the comfort of their own homes while participating.  Our Why Me children and families know all too well, the stress that comes from having a family divided. Often when a child is hospitalized, parents must decide who will stay in the hospital and who will care for the siblings at home.  Adjusting to the new normal of hospital food, machines beeping and discomfort are just a few small things that family have to take on upon a cancer diagnosis. Each night as our competitors set up their individual tents on the hard ground and consume their prepacked meals, they were reminded of what it feels like to miss the comforts of home.  The rucks they carried were symbolic of the baggage and emotions that childhood cancer patients and their families must carry as they face a life-threatening illness and uncertain future.

 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world”
— Margaret Mead

 

Thank you to each athlete – Rick  Porter, the creator of the 100 Mile Ruck March, Jay Barron, Eric Carey, Tim Coelho, Casey Cormier, Mike Covino, Tory Gisleson, Jessica Jacques, Tye Jordan, Evan Koogler, Tucker Mahoney, Troy Milliken, David Ojerholm, Michelle Paton, Tobe Reed.  Each had your own personal “why” but we hope that throughout the four days we were able to show you Why Me’s why.  100 miles in 4 days is grueling but pales in comparison to what children battling cancer have to endure. You signed up without hesitation and have truly made a difference in so many lives of local families. {Below pictured L-R  are finishers: Mike Covino, Tobe Reed, Tory Gisleson, Troy Milliken, Rick Porter, Jay Barron, Tucker Mahoney, Jessica Jacques, Tye Jordan and Tim Coelho.}

 

Join us July 21-24, 2022 for the 2nd annual 100 Mile Ruck March Challenge.  Sign up as a volunteer or athlete here.

 

 

Sherry’s House: Covid -19 reopening plan

Greetings,welcome back

I am sure we are all looking forward to the beginning of summer, time outside and a return to familiar gatherings. It has been a long fifteen months for all of us and with the lifting of most state Covid restrictions, I am pleased to announce that Sherry’s House will be open again as of June 1st. We are excited to welcome back our Why Me Families, volunteers and donors. There will be a period of adjustment as we all find our comfort zone and return to normal activities. For the past 36 years, Why Me’s purpose has been to facilitate personal connections and support for families with childhood cancer. While we have managed to do that from a distance over the past year and half, we realize that many families are ready for face-to-face, in-person contact with Why Me staff and other families.

We will be following the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s updated requirements for healthcare settings and those working with vulnerable populations and ask you to please wear a mask when you arrive to enter Sherry’s House.  As always, please exercise prudent judgement when coming to the house. If you are ill or suspect that you have had contact with someone who has been exposed to Covid-19, please postpone your visit.

For our families: The summer will see a gradual return to in-person meetings, support groups and gatherings. Please be patient as this will be a work in progress and subject to review. Due to a fragmented school year, many of our families may have children in summer school. Many of you may choose to travel for the first time. We will advise you in the coming weeks of upcoming events but here are a few upcoming and outdoors. We are planning to have our annual Bravehearts baseball outing at Fitton field and Spree Day at the 200 Sportsman’s Club with the dates to be determined.  We will also have Carnival Day on August 1st at the 228 in Sterling.

For our Volunteers: We will require volunteers to be vaccinated to serve at family events and in the house. Volunteers wishing to participate should provide a copy of their vaccination card for their confidential file with Ginette, Director of Volunteers, and discuss any related issues with her. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping to keep our families safe and comfortable.

For our Donors: Donors will once again be allowed back into the office, we just ask that you wear a mask when arriving.  For those not ready to come inside, we will also continue to leave our first parking space open for curbside donation drop-offs. You do not need an appointment in advance but if you’d like to make one, please visit our website or click here.

We are looking forward to seeing our volunteers return and families on the playground. Thank you all for your perseverance and patience. We look forward to better days ahead and new memories everlasting!

Be well,

 

 

David Hagan, Executive Director

 

Spin for Kids 2021 – Thank you Andy Sharry

Andy, center, at the Bermuda Marathon in 2000 with the Why Me Running team

Andy Sharry reached out to us in 2017 and proposed joining forces with Worcester Fitness to raise money through a Spin-a-thon.

Andy has been involved with Why Me in many different ways.  He coached our marathon running teams, was a member of our board of directors, and held small events to raise money here and there for us over the years.

When he came to us with this new idea, immediately we agreed.

Our first Spin for Kids happened on March 4, 2018.  We had 25 bikes, 3 instructors and over the 4 hours each participant rode about 75 miles. We had lofty goals of raising a few thousand dollars in just a few months and managed to raise a whopping $20,500.

The next year, 2019, increased with 28 bikes and the same grit to endure the 4 hours of being on a spin bike.  We thought if we could raise $20,000 last year; why not try for $30,000.  Our amazing riders, along with some sponsors, raised over $37,000, blowing our goal out of the water.

March 9, 2020, 32 riders spun a total of 2,400 miles and raised just over $47,000 for Why Me.  The next day Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts and the rest of our fundraisers for 2020 were cancelled.  Our physical office closed for 6 months but cancer does not stop, so we adjusted the way services were provided and helped our families feel supported when times were extremely tough.

Worcester Fitness also closed for many months and like the rest of us, continues to see the effects of the pandemic one-year later. We expected to put Spin for Kids on hold in 2021 but in January, Andy reached out and we made a go of it.  We shifted the event to a whole week to add a virtual component and challenged participants to spin 100 miles over the week.  We also added an at-home “Spin Your Way” option for families to get moving for a total of 10 hours in a week.  Lastly, we were able to have a small in-person group, who were pushed to the max during the live 2-hour event.

This year, Spin for Kids made over $10,000 and over the last four years has raised almost $120,000 for Why Me.

None of this would have been possible without the heart and soul of Spin for Kids, Andy Sharry.  Andy motivates like no other and he knows how to help others reach down deep to persevere. Andy is the first to be choked up when listening to a Why Me parent share their child’s journey at Spin for Kids and uses that emotion for inspiration.

Thank you Andy for caring so deeply. We could not ask for a better coach in our corner.

Andy closing out the last hour of our first Spin for Kids in 2018 {Photo Credit to Kill the Ball Media}

 

If you’d like to be on our mailing list to know about events, like Spin for Kids, and other happenings, sign up here.