Chemo Comfort, an all-volunteer run organization founded by two-time breast cancer survivor Anne Marie Paolucci in 2003, provides cancer patients with kits of products to help manage chemotherapy’s side effects. Ms. Paolucci’s mission comes from personal experience: “Starting chemotherapy is a frightening experience. We are saying to patients ‘Here is a box of tools put together by someone who’s been there. Know that you are not alone and these tools will help you take care of yourself during this difficult journey.’ ” In July 2014, Ms. Paolucci was a NY1 New Yorker of the week.
Chemo Comfort is holding their second annual Cocktails for Comfort fund raising campaign October 10-19, 2014. Establishments across New York City will be participating by creating signature cocktails for their patrons and proceeds will be donated to Chemo Comfort to support their programs. The org also holds a “Cupcakes for Comfort” fundraising campaign in June pegged to National Cancer Survivor Day. See NY Times listing: http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/weekend-fare-144/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0.
Fundraising participant Huckleberry Bar in Brooklyn shared their enthusiasm for the cause: “Here at Huckleberry Bar we have dedicated our careers to our passion for hospitality. We feel fortunate to be able to care for our guests daily by building the highest quality cocktails we can imagine, and we feel especially fortunate for the opportunity to use our craft to contribute to those who are in special need of care through Chemo Comfort and the Cocktails for Comfort event. To all of those who participate in this wonderful cause, we thank you sincerely.” Added Dutch Kills in Long Island City: “Dutch Kills is honored to be participating in the second annual Cocktails for Comfort event, and we look forward to raising spirits together with our patrons as we pledge our support this October.”
Chemo Comfort is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The organization distributes kits filled with products to help manage nausea, mouth sores and hair loss, among other side effects of chemotherapy. There are also “feel good” items such as a sleep cap, warm socks, meditation CD, book, journal and helpful hints from the founder about combatting side effects of chemo. Approximately 75% of kits distributed annually are donated, primarily to patients in need within the greater New York area, through partner organizations such as CancerCare and the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative at the Actors’ Fund. Chemo Comfort is a six-time grantee of The Greater NYC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® and has received foundation support from the Kite Key and Landegger Foundations. In feedback forms, 100% of kit recipients state they would recommend a kit to someone undergoing chemotherapy.
Chemo Comfort’s Raising Spirits Together
Cocktails for Comfort
October 10-19, 2014
Manhattan:
Bathtub Gin, 132 9th Ave, NYC; 646-559-1671; www.bathtubginnyc.com
Forty Four at Royalton New York, 44 W 44th St., NYC; 212- 944 8844; www.morganshotelgroup.com/originals/originals-royalton-new-york/eat-drink
Session 73, 1359 1st Ave, NYC; (212) 517 4445; www.session73.com
The Wayland, 700 E 9th St, NYC; 212-777-7022; www.thewaylandnyc.com
Brooklyn:
Huckleberry Bar, 588 Grand St., Brooklyn NY; 718-218-8555; www.huckleberrybar.com
Prime Meats, 465 Court St., Brooklyn NY; 718-254-0327; www.frankspm.com
Queens:
Dutch Kills 27-24 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY; 718-383-2724; www.dutchkillsbar.com
The Astor Room 34-12 36th St., Queens, NY; 718-255-1947; www.astorroom.com
Most bars are generously donating 50% or more of the cocktail price.
Participating locations subject to change, please check the website for up to date locations www.chemocomfort.org
Chemo Comfort serves all cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, but October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) is special to our organization as the founder is a two-time breast cancer survivor. To celebrate, we will be asking people to Raise Spirits Together for Chemo Comfort.
Please visit our website (www.chemocomfort.org) for a closer look at our work.
