This year, nearly 16,000 kids and teens in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer. As a parent, the thought of one of our children being affected is absolutely terrifying. No matter who you are or where you are, we all know too many people that have been touched by this disease, and when it’s kids… the urge to fight back burns an unstoppable fire. For parents Jeff Castelaz and Jo Ann Thraikill, that fire burns in honor of their son, Pablo Castelaz, who was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms Tumor, a rare form of childhood cancer. After a valiant fight against the disease, Pablo died just six days past his sixth birthday on June 27, 2009. Today, The Pablove Foundation exists to fight cancer on a daily basis, offering support for families, including programs for children living with the disease, and fund-raising efforts to aid in research. Today comes word of some events in several cities that you might want to get involved with…
“Since 2010, more than $1 million has been raised to support research grants at 16 institutions worldwide. The grants support a range of innovators in childhood cancer research who are investigating unique ways to increase survivorship and decrease complications, enabling kids to live healthy lives after cancer. Additionally, Pablove creates programs to inspire cancer families through education as well as improve the lives of children living with cancer through the arts. “
The Pablove Shutterbugs program teaches children living with cancer to develop their creative voice through the art of photography. The 5 or 8 week mentorship program will allow students to learn various techniques and showcase their work for their annual Pablove Gallery Show.
Upcoming Shutterbugs programs include: the Los Angeles 8 week program (Saturdays, February 27 – April 16, 2016), Alumni Summer Camp (Wednesday, June 15 – Friday, June 17, 2016), the New York 5 week program (Saturdays, April 9 – May 7, 2016), the New Orleans 5 week program (Saturdays, April 16 – May 14, 2016), the San Francisco Bay 5 week program (Saturdays, April 23 – May 21, 2016), and the Austin 5 week program (Saturdays, April 30 – May 28, 2016).
The 8th annual Pablove Across America registration is open to the public now at pablove.org/paa. The bike ride from the Bay Area (SF) to LA and will cover 550 miles as the cyclists traverse the Golden State on Sunday, October 2. The ride funds The Pablove Foundation’s essential programs such as childhood cancer research grants; annual educational symposiums; and Pablove Shutterbugs.
Note the used of “Rose Tattoo” by DROPKICK MURPHYS in the video – the band are longtime supporters of The Pablove Foundation, even offering a limited edition t-shirt to raise funds for four days last year.
For Readers in New York:
The New York Bowling Night (Tuesday, May 10th) registration is now open! The New York Bowling Night –a guaranteed fun time for all attendees– will take place at the chic and entertaining Bowlmor Lanes in the heart of Times Square. Click here to register to bowl or to support Pablove as an event sponsor.
For Readers in Los Angeles:
The 4th Annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Golf Tournament (Friday, May 6th) -with The Pablove Foundation and friends from the music and entertainment industries — is an 18-hole, four-player scramble held at the beautiful Angeles National Golf Club.
The 2nd Annual Pablove Tennis Classic presented by WME (Sunday, May 15th)– the day of non-stop doubles tennis action and fun, all fighting childhood cancer at Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center.
Learn more about The Pablove Foundation at http://www.pablove.org/
