When Kathy De Rosa was diagnosed a few years ago of Hyperplastic Polyposis Syndrome, which if left untreated would result in colon cancer, she was lucky enough to deal with it on time and as a result it was successfully treated.
Following this life threatening adventure, Mrs. De Rosa, a Greek American from Long Island, New York, decided that she had to do something in order to raise awareness on the benefits of combating this deadly disease at the earliest stage possible and at the same time to support research that allowed her and thousands of other people to survive. In 2007 she established the De Rosa Foundation and since then, she and a group of dedicated friends have managed to raise much needed funds and awareness.
“I was humbled by the outpour of care and support from both old and new friends and supporters,” Mrs De Rosa said at this year’s fourth annual “Masquerade” dinner gala held recently at the famed Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York. A sold out crowd of over 350 were present to honor two colon cancer survivors, Mr. Tito Pedrini, world renowned gemologist and awareness advocate, and Mr. James Capuano, Senior Vice President at Thomson Reuters. “The foundation helps to raise much needed awareness and promotes colon cancer research in order to advance early detection and treatment so that others may be as lucky as I was,” Mr. De Rosa explained. “We have already donated over $480,000 through the annual dinner galas, which include over 100 incredible auction items and raffle gifts.” These funds benefit the colon cancer research performed by Dr. Jose G. Guillem, Attending Colorectal Surgeon and Director of the Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Family Registry at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who honored the event with his presence and thanked the participants for their support.
Tito Pedrini is renowned as a global specialist in jewelry and gemstone assessment. As a cancer survivor, Mr. Pedrini donates a portion of the company’s sales to the Colorectal Cancer Research fund n. 59090/cc 5592, under the direction of Dr. Leonard Saltz at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Mr. Pedrini’s enthusiasm and tenacity for life results in striking jewelry collections that reflect his “carpe diem” philosophy seen in all areas of his life.
James Capuano is a Senior Vice President at Thomson Reuters, one of the largest financial information/media companies in the world. As a cancer survivor, James and his employer, Thomson Reuters, have been enthusiastic supporters of the De Rosa Foundation for many years. He survived cancer, he believes, largely as a result of the phenomenal support he receives from family, friends and colleagues. He is eternally grateful to Drs. Jose Guillem, David Kelsen, and Zvi Fuchs; and to all of their wonderful associates at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Debi Silber, MS, RD,WHC, best known as “The Mojo Coach”, hosted the evening’s program. “It was a wonderful occasion that is dedicated to raising colon cancer awareness and helping patients and families afflicted with colorectal cancer,” she said. “The efforts of Kathy De Rosa and her team were nothing short of spectacular. No detail was over looked.”
Ms. Silber is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Nutrition, a certified Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach (a health expert trained to teach how your lifestyle creates health/wellness or illness/disease), speaker, and author of “The Lifestyle Fitness Program: A Six Part Plan So Every Mom Can Look, Feel and Live Her Best” (recommended by Parenting Magazine and Jack Canfield, coauthor of the best selling “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series) and “A Pocket Full of Mojo: 365 Proven Strategies To Create Your Ultimate Body, Mind, Image and Lifestyle” (recommended by Brian Tracy and Marshall Goldsmith, among others). Ms. Silber has branded “The Mojo Coach” because she’s personally led hundreds of clients to achieve their ultimate body, mind, image and lifestyle, inspiring them to ‘get their mojo back’.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering has established a registry for families who are affected with various forms of hereditary colorectal cancer. This registry will help researchers learn more about the genetic causes of colorectal cancer and aid in the development of new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancers of the colon and rectum. Participation can be educational for families by helping them learn more about their colorectal cancer risk. For patients already diagnosed with a hereditary colorectal cancer, the registry will help to keep them abreast of new research that may affect their medical care.
More information on the De Rosa Foundation and its activities can be found at their website www.thederosafoundation.org or by calling Mrs. Kathy Constantopes De Rosa herself at (516) 365-6754. Her email address is derosak1@optonline.net
