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Dennis and Cindy Connelly launch an innovative fund-raiser to fight breast cancer
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Albany, NY – (March 7, 2013) “How can we help?”
That is the question Dennis and Cindy Connelly asked each other early last year. They had just heard about yet another friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Those words had been uttered by too many of their neighbors, friends, and employees. So they asked each other. “What can we do?”
Since 1995, the Connelly’s have owned and operated Connelly’s Diamond Gallery, just outside Albany, NY. A family business known for high quality jewelry, three out of four of the Connelly children are involved in the company. So their business was an obvious answer to their question.
Dennis reached out to the American Cancer Society, and together, launched the Web site Sparkle For Hope, a line of bracelets where half the proceeds would be donated to the American Cancer Society to fight breast cancer. After several successful months, an ovarian cancer bracelet was added to the items.
In October 2012, Dennis and Cindy attended their first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Albany, NY. On that sunny fall day, over 15,000 people walked together to raise over $1 million for the American Cancer Society’s fight against breast cancer. 500 survivors were celebrated for their battle against breast cancer.
“I was blown away at the passion at the walk,” says Dennis. “The teams, the walkers, the husbands, the families - all coming together. It was so moving and powerful to see. Such an inspiration to see so much passion for this cause.”
Making Strides is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation. The event funds the American Cancer Society’s unique mission to fight breast cancer on all fronts and save lives by helping people stay well by reducing breast cancer risk or finding it early; helping people get well by providing information and support during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking breast cancer research; and by fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer.
The Connelly’s are committed to the fight against breast cancer and hope their line of bracelets will not only bring in funds to make a difference, but also provide their customers extra HOPE when facing any of life’s challenges – including facing cancer.
Additional Reading
Sparkle for Hope
American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
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About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.