RED DOG FUND

06/08/2022

We often hear how rare childhood cancer is and think how that would never happen to us. Unfortunately, my family has encountered this rare disease one too many times, when my brother Ralph was diagnosed at age 17. This led to the creation of the Red Dog Fund! Two months ago, dear friends of ours, who we consider family, found themselves staring this rare disease in the face. Brooke, their fourteen year old daughter, best friend to my own three children and my niece and nephew, was diagnosed with AML Leukemia. This brave, upbeat, optimistic and charismatic little girl, now faces an uphill battle. All of our children have had to learn quickly what cancer is, what it means and begin to endure the rollercoaster of emotions that will come with the journey. Brooke and her family are participating in the relay for life on June 24, 2022 and the Califanos are happy to try to support them because that's what families do. We are asking for any amount of donation to show our support of this courageous little girl as we all once again relive this "rare" journey that childhood cancer will bring.

The funds we are raising will help sustain critical research and patient services in this difficult time. Believe me, every dollar really does count, so I'm asking for your help. Please donate today, because together we can accomplish anything!

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/dalifanos

12/25/2021

12/23/2020

Please continue to support! www.reddogfund.org

We’re from Mesa, AZ and we have two kids; Charlotte and Odin. My daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma middle of August of this year. We were admitted at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and they took good care of us in many ways. Before the diagnosis even sunk in we were completely submerged into a world of chemo and hospital stays. Charlotte turned five years old in October, and her birthday was celebrated behind our living room window. Friends came by to wish her well through the window and wrote birthday greetings for her to see. We’ve had a huge outpouring of love from our community and family. We are so grateful for their support. One of my friends introduced me to a Neuroblastoma team in New York at Sloan Kettering hospital and since this type of cancer is so rare and aggressive we decided to start treatment there ASAP. We’ve been in New York for surgery and round five of chemo. We’ve got one more round of chemo ahead and then on to a phase called immunotherapy. We have high hopes and are trying to inspire Charlotte by reminding her of all the beautiful things in life. Charlotte loves animals and wants to be a vet when she grows up. She’s a courageous human being who has inspired a great many people with her endearing attitude. We love our Charlotte.

12/22/2020

Please help us continue to our fight against childhood cancer and support children and their families, just like Anastasia. Donate today! www.reddogfund.org

Anastasia was diagnosed on December 20, 2016, right before her first Christmas, with an Optic nerve brain tumor that caused her to go totally blind. She underwent her first brain surgery a couple days later and started chemotherapy. After a couple failed chemo protocols, Ana underwent her second brain surgery. Both showed the tumor was benign with no mutation.

We decided to get a second opinion and traveled to NYC where we fell in love with the team at NYU. Anastasia underwent her third brain surgery to remove tumor and place a shunt at 16 months old on Halloween of 2017. The surgeon was able to remove 50 percent of her tumor, a mutation was identified, but unfortunately her pituitary gland was destroyed which cause many more health issues. Anastasia then developed a large blood clot in her brain and lost function of the left side of her body and could no longer walk.

A new chemotherapy was started and by Chritsmas time 2017, they told us it would be her last Christmas. We decided to keep trying and started on a trial drug at MSK. Miraculously, her tumor shrunk 75% in 10 months, but with her next scan, there would be enough growth to have to take her off the trial.

Ana was sent back to NYU to have yet another brain surgery and start another trial. Unfortunately, the side effects were too harsh on her and she was taken off. December 2019, Ana became unresponsive and was admitted to NYU, her brain had shifted so much, her brain stem was squished. They didnt think she would make it through the night. One last brain surgery was offered, but the surgeon didn't have much hope for her. He gave her a week to live without the surgery and 6 to 8 weeks with the surgery. She went in for her final surgery and recovered miraculously. She became known as the Christmas Miracle.

One year later, much longer than they anticipated, we finally get to spend Christmas at home and not inpatient. Unfortunately, it is because Ana is now in the care of Hospice, but we are grateful nonetheless.

12/21/2020

Please consider donating and help us continue to support children just like Carter!

Hi Michael,

I think it’s such a Blessing that you started Red Dog in honor of your brother💗.

Our 6 year old son Carter was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk Neuroblastoma in March 2019 (age 4 at the time of diagnosed.) At this time his baby brother was just born in January 2019. Having a three month old and starting the 18 month treatment plan was hard to say the least. However, through the Grace of God and help from family we completed his 18 month frontline treatment plan: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and surgeries. He feels good and attends kindergarten at a small school. Unfortunately, the Neuroblastoma cells are still present in his bone and bone marrow. He was considered refractory and we transferred care to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital. He will start his 5-7 cycles of an immunotherapy at MSK next week.

Thank you for reaching out.

Chelsea

12/20/2020

Although Covid has crippled our ability to support many families during 2020, we were able to brighten smiles of a couple of families this week. For the past eight years during the holiday season, we would donate tons of new toys to Montefiore's Children's hospital in memory of our brother Ralph. Since it was a little difficult to do that this year, with the help of CandlelightersNYC, we were able to support three families, who are experiencing a very rough time during this season. Please look out for each story, as the families share what they are going through in order to bring awareness to this horrific disease. We look forward to beginning our journey and mission of supporting families and their children, one parking spot at a time. Please considered sharing our post, and donating to our cause. Happy Holidays to all!

Donate   The Red Dog Foundation is a registered 501 C3 organization and all donations are 100% tax deductible.       Your donations help the Red Dog Foundation continue its fight against childhood cancer, one parking spot at a time! Please consider giving a gift today. Would you like to give a g...

03/04/2020

I would be lying if I told you that nine years ago my life was forever changed. The fact of the matter is that anyone who has experienced watching a child go through cancer treatments can tell you that your life transforms the minute you hear, “It’s cancer.” The rollercoaster of emotions climb high, free falls at times and then suddenly comes to an abrupt halt. Not because you don’t care anymore but because at times you feel so numb to reality that you aren’t sure whether you are moving or not.

My family and I watched Ralph take cancer head on with his chin high, absorbing hit after hit. Of course there were months at a time during the seven year battle of feeling well and enjoying life, learning to live in the moment rather then think about what could be coming. I say learning because that was something we all had to discover.

As I sit here nine years later, thinking about how life has changed for us, how it has moved forward at what seems to be at a light speed pace, this day, March 4th will forever be frozen in time.

I miss you RJC, everything you stood for and most importantly everything you taught us.

My brother did not lose his battle with cancer, he simply decided he had fought long enough.

www.reddogfund.org
RJC
September 22, 1986--March 4, 2011

12/24/2019

Although we have to put our parking reimbursements on hold for the 2020 year, some last minute donations motivated our crew to do some shopping and special delivery!

09/18/2019

04/30/2019

"I'm sorry but he has cancer." Words that no one should ever have to face or hear, especially when said about a child. This date will forever be engrained as the day that our lives were forever changed. In honor of Ralph, my parents and all other parents and children that have had to listen to this same message, we salute you today for your bravery and willingness to carry on and fight. Your battle does not go unnoticed!

03/03/2019

On what usually is a very solemn couple of days in March, it was awesome to be a part of such an uplifting event today! We were honored by the thoughtfulness, planning and donation of time that these young men and women devoted today for the Red Dog Foundation. From the entire Califano Family, we thank you! Words can’t express how grateful we are for all of you for not only helping to keep my brother’s values alive but for also understanding the importance of helping others.

02/28/2019

This Sunday, our favorite philanthropists are once again raising money for The Red Dog Foundation. This is their FIFTH hot cocoa stand and the kids have raised $7,000 to help families pay for the cost of parking while their child is being treated for cancer. That is about 140 days of parking! Their goal this year is to raise $2,000. We hope you can buy and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, some home baked goods and try your luck at some raffles. So many local business have once again generously donated gift cards for goods and services:)

Also, this year the kids have designed their own T-shirt’s (see below)and they will be available for sale too! Your $20 donation gets you a cup of cocoa and a T-shirt.
T-shirt’s are a available in adult sizes s,m,l, and xl!

We hope to see you this
Sunday, March 3rd
noon to 3pm
19 Amherst Drive, New Rochelle

Can’t make it buy a virtual cup of hot cocoa with .....
Venmo