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This tremendous success is due to the sterling efforts of dedicated people like Ron Purpora, Frank Marzano, Frank Fusaro and John Cory. by Craig Butler |
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Mr. Purpora, who was himself the honoree of the 2003 Cigar Smoker, took the unprecedented step of agreeing to match the total amount of funds raised at the event’s live auction – an amount which eventually totaled $60,000! When announcing his decision to match the live auction bids, Mr. Purpora stated that he was doing this for two reasons, beyond his ongoing commitment to helping those with thalassemia. One, the Cigar Night was being held on the night of his wife, Gale’s birthday, and two, a recent experience with his granddaughter had reminded him of the challenges faced by those with thalassemia. He elaborated that his granddaughter had recently fallen sick and become dehydrated, requiring a trip to the emergency room. Although she is now fine, it was a disturbing experience, and as he watched her undergoing a barrage of needles of IVs and other treatments, he was reminded of the constant, lifelong role needles play in the life of a person with thalassemia. “I realized I had to do more,” he said. Mr. Purpora is President of ICAP's North American Securities Businesses and President of First Brokers Securities, a subsidiary of ICAP. Within the industry he serves as a board member of the Depositary Trust Clearing Corporation, Chairman of the Fixed Income Membership and Risk Committee, Chairman of FICC Operation and Planning Committee and is an executive director of the SIFMA.. Frank Marzano, another past honoree (2006) and dedicated ally, took a sorrowful occasion – the recent passing of his mother – and honored this special woman by asking those who wished to remember her to make a special contribution to CAF at the Cigar Smoker. More than $20,000 was raised by those who wished to pay tribute to Mrs. Marzano. Frank P. Marzano, Managing Partner of GM Advisory Group, a financial planning company, has been a Certified Public Accountant for over thirteen years. Frank is a visionary and that is where his strength lies. His ability to sustain his vision and his leadership skills are essential to GM’s success. In 2007, he had the honor of being named to Wealth Manager Magazine’s “Top Dog” list of the country’s top financial advisors. Several other individuals deserve special recognition for their outstanding efforts to make this event a resounding success, including Frank Fusaro, owner of the Forum Group, who once again somehow managed to find the time to chair the Cigar Smoker Committee and make all the hundreds of decision necessary to bring off a successful event, and who was a significant donor himself; John Cory of Tenny Journal Printers, who supplied the delectable steaks that were the focal point of the dinner, as well as a sensational trip to Stresa, Italy for the live auction, and the pro bono printing of the Cigar Smoker journals; and Dr. Don Chiapetta, who supplied many of the items for the very successful silent auction. “I am astounded at the generosity and dedication of these very rare gentlemen,” says Gina Cioffi, Esq., National Executive Director of CAF. “The Cigar Smoker is one of the most important fund raising events for our organization. By ensuring its success, they have made it possible for us to continue our trend of increasing funding for medical research, expanding patient services and spreading awareness to greater numbers of people. On behalf of all our patients and families, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.” Ms. Cioffi also thanks Grace Tsai, a thalassemia patient who attended with her brother George and spoke to a rapt audience about thalassemia, how it has affected her life and how she appreciates the support that those present were giving to her and all those with thalassemia. “Grace’s speech really made a huge difference,” Ms. Cioffi says. “You could feel the warmth and concern flowing from the audience toward her. When a person affected by thalassemia is present and tells about her real life experiences, it really brings home to people what the disorder is like and why it’s so important that they do everything they can to help us fight it.” "I also must recognize the exceptional job that Tony Laurino and the Suffolk chapter staff do in organizing this event every year," Ms. Cioffi added. "It really does run as smooth as silk, and there's an unbelievable amount of effort that goes into making that happen." "The Cigar Smoker is a wonderful event that has grown over the years mainly due to the efforts of people like Frank Fusaro, Ron Purpora, John Cory, Frank Marzano and Bob Ficarra,” says CAF National President Anthony J. Viola. “Listening to Grace speak was just riveting. You could hear a pin drop in the room during her speech as she explained the trials and tribulations the patients face every single day. It was very powerful." |
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| Cooley's Anemia Foundation, Inc. TEL: 800 522-7222 FAX: 212 279-5999 info@cooleysanemia.org | ||||||
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