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Mamaroneck Nonprofit Raises Funds For Pediatric Cancer At Purchase Event

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF), the 46-year-old, Mamaroneck-based nonprofit committed to fighting pediatric cancer, raised more than $225,000 at its Rock The Cure Gala Wednesday, Nov. 2.

PCF President Bonnie Shyer and Paul J. Jimenez.

PCF President Bonnie Shyer and Paul J. Jimenez.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Left to right: PCF President Bonnie Shyer, Paul J. Jimenez, Joanna Jimenez, PCF Chairman Cheryl Rosen.

Left to right: PCF President Bonnie Shyer, Paul J. Jimenez, Joanna Jimenez, PCF Chairman Cheryl Rosen.

Photo Credit: Submitted

The event, which featured legendary rock music by Unforgettable Fire, a world-renowned U2 cover band, was all about generating funds to support research, state of the art equipment/instruments and patient/parent care for doctors at the hospitals PCF supports.

Held at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase,  the gala -- which attracted more than 250 attendees -- honored the memory of Paul Ulysses Jimenez, a 10-year-old Westchester County boy who passed away in January, 2016, from Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare form of cancer of the skeletal muscles.

“Our amazing little boy taught us so much about life, about love and about strength,” said Paul Jimenez, Sr. in his keynote speech. “This week will mark 10 months since we have been able to kiss Paul and tell him how much we love him. I implore each and every one of you to please spread awareness for pediatric cancer research. We need to find a cure and our dream is to one day see that cure happen.”

“It was an incredibly moving night,” added Bonnie Shyer, PCF president. “We listened with our hearts as Paul Jimenez spoke about his son and losing him to this horrible disease. We danced in celebration of a little boy’s life and the joy he brought to others, as well as the thousands of children and families fighting this battle. 

"And, most importantly, we raised critical funds needed by the generosity of our steadfast supporters.”

What started out as a small, local organization has now become a nationally-recognized nonprofit. With the inclusion of advanced technological equipment that the organization supports, PCF-funded doctors are in communication with hospitals both nationally as well as on an international level. 

PCF has grown to include support for children and their families afflicted with all types of cancer. Four decades of support has enabled the foundation to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, support research projects and bring exceptional fellows to both surgical and oncology departments across the country.

County Executive Robert Astorino attended the event, stating, “PCF started here in Westchester 46 years ago and is still going strong. Thank you for all you are doing." 

Noting the moving story of young Paul Jimenez's life, he went on to say, "We're here tonight to help families down the line, so that they may never have to experience something like this.”

For more information about Pediatric Cancer Foundation, go to www.pcfweb.org/ or contact Nancy Joselson at 914-777-3127.

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