2023 Year in Review
Before we can look ahead, it’s important to look back on some of the accomplishments and time together we, as a community, were able to achieve. We have a lot to be proud of!
Nearly $1M Raised and Counting: Incredible efforts, big and small, led to Rolfe Foundation raising nearly $1M throughout 2023, with additional end-of-year donations currently being counted! This funds our mission. It connects us with families in need. It greenlights research studies. It raises awareness and educates communities. It, most importantly, enables us to continue our personal approach because Pancreatic Cancer IS personal to us.
Funding Medical Advancements: Every year, we champion early detection research that will improve outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer detection and treatment. We award grants to the top scientific minds from the country’s premier medical and research institutions, like Johns Hopkins, University of Chicago, and Lustgarten Foundation, to name a few.
Rolfe also funds local Chicago-based organizations like Cancer Wellness Center, Wellness House, and Kellogg Cancer Center that provide counseling services, support groups, and education to empower Pancreatic Cancer patients and their families. Our funding—because of partners like you—is making a true impact with the potential to change people’s lives for the better. Thank you.
We’re currently allocating 2023 dollars and look forward to sharing details about the research studies funded. Check out Rolfe’s latest Funding Impact (Click Here).
Highland Park High School Charity Drive: We kicked 2023 off by being selected as Highland Park High School (HPHS) Charity Drive recipients. The Rolfe team presented at an HPHS assembly, teaching the next generation about Pancreatic Cancer, its symptoms, and risk factors. We met so many warm and welcoming people during the many events and fundraising activities that took place, from a talent show and chili cook-off to a silent auction, sports day, food trucks and more. Rolfe is grateful to the students and HPHS community for helping to raise $107,000 for Rolfe’s mission.
Rolfe’s Young Professionals Board (YPB) Shines: The goal of Rolfe’s Young Professionals Board is to raise awareness about the Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer, its symptoms, and risk factors. Throughout 2023, they hosted hundreds of young professionals at in-person and virtual events like March Mania, Yoga in the Park, Trivia Night, Spin Classes, and more. Want to join in? YPB is always looking for new members. Click here to learn more!
DASH for Detection 5K: As the temperatures went up, the Rolfe Community turned it up higher! Nearly 1,000 of you— individuals, families, and teams—joined us for our 14th annual family-friendly event held in partnership with Lustgarten Foundation. The Avengers even showed up to help us celebrate raising close to $227,000! (Shameless plug: Keep your eyes out for DASH for Detection 2024 registration info!)
Harriet’s Helping Hands: Rolfe Foundation’s Patient & Family Support Program: In August, we announced Harriet’s Helping Hands, Rolfe’s new patient and family support program. This program, underwritten by a generous gift from The Wulfstat Family in honor of Harriet Wulfstat, enables Rolfe to expand upon our “boots on the ground” support services program. Since its launch, we have:
- – Hired a Patient Support & Community Partnerships Advocate
- – Supported nearly 100 new families, coming to Rolfe through organic means
- – Implemented a patient support data log to document all communication and new resources
- – Developed 11 new partnerships with Pancreatic Cancer Organizations
- – Developed patient support marketing collateral to share with local cancer organizations and hospitals
- – Used social media to implement a patient support outreach program
Drive Fore Research Golf Outing: It might be the middle of winter, but in August we were yelling, “FORE!” on the golf course thanks to our partnership with the Israel Cancer Research Fund. We had 28 teams come out for this shotgun-start/scramble tourney that raised $150,000! The competition got intense before anyone set foot on the greens with the event selling out within hours of registration opening. Keep your eyes open for Registration information for the 2024 Drive Fore Research Golf Outing on Monday, Sept. 9 at the Skokie Country Club.
Jasper Health Partnership: In September, we announced our partnership with Jasper Health as an online partner in patient support. Jasper is a digital app (and website) for your cancer care or for that of your loved ones. It’s a one-stop-shop to organize schedules, track medications and symptoms, and access cancer care coaching support. This partnership underscores Rolfe’s dedication to supporting our patients and their families. Click here to learn more and to sign up for free.
Brushes with Cancer: Art has the power to make an impression on us the same way our families and friends do, so imagine when the two come together to use art to showcase the life and legacy of a loved one. We partnered with Twist Out Cancer for Brushes with Cancer, where 14 artists and Rolfe community members were paired up. Together, the stories shared turned into an immortal showcase of love and lives lived. Each canvas told a story, and in November, we were able to hear some of those tales from the perspective of the family and the artist.
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