In support of the Gala that raises funds for cancer prevention and early detection programs, I am again inviting my Facebook fans to participate in my 2nd annual Facebook contest to benefit my charity of choice, the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Each fan that makes a donation of $5 or more between Tuesday, February 5 and Friday, March 8 will be entered into a drawing to win a signed copy of my book, “The Big White Book of Weddings” and an autographed photo!! Every donation will support the funding of vital community cancer prevention and early detection programs that help save the lives of men, women and children across the county. The winner will be announced on my Facebook page on Tuesday, March 12.

I, like so many others, have family and friends that have been touched by cancer. I encourage all of my fans to join the Facebook contest for the Prevent Cancer Foundation and help each of us to help all of us prevent cancer.

Editor’s Note: David Tutera is a celebrity wedding planner, bridal fashion designer, designer, author and professional speaker. He is the host of WEtv’s show, “My Fair Wedding with David Tutera,” the author of seven books and a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Board of Directors.

AGDQ continues to grow exponentially each year, both in the amount of money raised and in the number of members attending the event.

This year marks SDA’s 3^rd annual Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) marathon, during which a community of gamers from around the country and around the world (Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Sweden and U.K.) join together to raise money for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. In this week-long event, gamers travel to the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, MD to play over 100 different games non-stop as fast as they can (also known as “speedrunning”). The event is streamed live as players perform speed-run challenges, sell t-shirts with the site Yetee and raffle off prizes, like Legend of Zelda artwork or a Zelda master sword, in order to encourage donations that will fund a two-year research grant and other essential cancer prevention and early detection programs. Last year’s marathon funded a two-year research grant awarded to Josanne Sousa, PhD of Vanderbilt University to support a study that has the potential to lead to an early detection test for stomach cancer.

The AGDQ marathon is still going strong and SDA has already surpassed last year’s total of $144,000! They continue to play around the clock, lose sleep and somehow maintain their energy in hopes of reaching their goal of $250,000 by the week’s end!

Executive Vice President and C.O.O. Jan Bresch poses with SDA members during a visit to the marathon.

What’s most inspiring about the marathon is the SDA community, a diverse group of people from all walks of life and all parts of the world who share a common interest in gaming and a common goal of helping a cause that touches everyone. Stephen Kiazyk, who traveled from Ontario, Canada, has been attending AGDQ since it first began to honor his grandmother and aunt who were both affected by cancer. In addition to playing the video game speed-runs, Stephen also uses his skills as a computer science graduate student to help with the technical side of the marathon. He even wrote the program the group is using to help process the thousands of incoming donations.

SDA members organize the dozens of handmade and donated prizes.

At first glance this event may look like a bunch of people sitting around playing video games but the work and commitment taking place behind the scenes is impressive. The work of organizers Mike Uyama, Chip Vogel and Timothy Peters, along with tech coordinator Benjamin Cutler has allowed this marathon, which started in a small basement, to grow into a gathering of over 100 on-site participants. They receive acclaim from many different members of the gaming community, including video game developers. Organizer Chip Vogel was awe-struck when the developer of a video game he was speed-running requested a Skype chat after his challenge!

Across the board, SDA participants have nothing but good things to say about the marathon, including newbie attendee Eric Koziel, from Boston, MA, who expressed the importance of the AGDQ event; “This marathon is going toward a great cause, and there are a lot of heartfelt moments and touching stories. This event will hopefully bring light to the cause and provide for better futures for many people.”

Cancer survivor and SDA member Marc Dziezynski showing off the hand-knit hat his wife Jessica made just for the marathon.

One of those amazing stories came from three-time participant Marc Dziezynski, a cancer survivor of an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Marc spent his 21^st birthday in a hospital as he underwent chemotherapy. While stuck in the hospital for many weeks Marc discovered speed-run games and became an active member in the online community.  In 2010, when the Speed Demos Archives were looking for a charity organization to support, Marc, along with others, suggested that they find a cancer organization. This led to the SDA and Prevent Cancer Foundation partnership! Marc and his wife Jessica love what the Foundation stands for and they travel in from Connecticut every year to participate in AGDQ. According to Jessica, Marc’s love of gaming helped him get through the difficult experience of chemotherapy.

This week Foundation Executive Vice President & COO Jan Bresch stopped by the marathon to thank and praise SDA members and their supporters for all their contributions. Ms. Bresch also highlighted how much the marathon has grown over the years and shared the message of cancer prevention and early detection. The Prevent Cancer Foundation thanks Speed Demos Archive, the AGDQ participants and the thousands of donors who make this event possible. A special thanks to Design Cuisine, Ledo’s Pizza and Subway for their in-kind donations. To learn more about how you can join the SDA in saving lives through cancer prevention, visit the SDA site, where you can check out all the live action.

Melodie Barefield demonstrates LifeSpan Fitness Treadmill Desk

On August 4 the Prevent Cancer Foundation hosted their first Game Night at  Nationals Park to promote cancer prevention, early detection and our upcoming 5k. More than 1,500 game attendees walked away with free giveaways and got an exclusive look at the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5k’s grand prize, the LifeSpan Fitness Treadmill Desk.

The NL East division-leading Nationals beat the Miami Marlins with a 3-run lead. However, the baseball game was only part of the excitement as eager attendees tried to guess the number of Buddy Bracelets in a jar for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Clyde’s. Congratulations to D. Marie Collins whose guess of 455 bracelets was closest to the jar total of 447!

Prevent Cancer 5k Chair Katherine Kennedy promoting the event during the Prevent Cancer Foundation Nationals Game Night.

Prevent Cancer 5k Chairperson Katherine Kennedy, along with the Prevent Cancer Foundation staff, sported green attire in support of cancer prevention and early detection while giving away  “Love Baseball, Hate Cancer” buttons.

Thank you to all who participated in the Prevent Cancer Foundation Game Night, make sure you check out http://www.preventcancer5k.org to register for the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5k and visit our Facebook page to see more pictures from Game Night!

Join me at the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Annual Spring Gala on Friday, March 9 at the National Building Museum in downtown DC for an evening filled with fun for a good cause. This year the Foundation honors Switzerland with its theme “Modern + Majestic = Switzerland.” Nearly 800 people are expected to attend; don’t miss your chance to experience this special night!

The evening’s event décor is provided by Celebrity Party Planner and “My Fair Wedding” host David Tutera, who is encouraging his Facebook fans to give to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s gala. Each fan that makes a donation of $5 or more will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 3 of David’s signature watches from MZ Berger.  The winner will be announced on his Facebook page on March 13.

The Foundation has also launched an online auction through Bidding for Good as a complement to this year’s gala fundraising efforts. The site is live and open for bids! There are fantastic items ranging from vacations, designer jewelry, wine lots, embassy dinners, golf, tennis, and other unique experiences – some are open to all bidders and some are exclusive for bidding by gala attendees only.

Please spread the word among your friends and family about this special opportunity to help raise funds for cancer prevention and early detection!To learn more about the 2012 Spring Gala and the Prevention Cancer Foundation’s vision to Stop Cancer Before It Starts! visit our website.

Katherine Kennedy, Prevent Cancer Foundation Young Professionals Chair

On Monday January 30, over 100 young professionals in the DC area came together at the brand new Irish Whiskey Public House in DC to proactively join the Prevent Cancer community. After Chair Katherine Kennedy (@KatherineKenned) shared that she became involved with the Foundation because she has a disease, MEN-1, that is not preventable and didn’t want any of her friends to face endless hours of uncertainty in a doctor’s office, she then asked the young leaders to tweet why they are joining the group to “Stop Cancer Before It Starts!” and here are some of their live tweets:

@DCCultrBroker My mom had cervical cancer which is why I want to #preventcancer

@JummyABC7: I’m working to #preventcancer in honor of my bestfriends father who passed from the disease

@LifeTie Solving cancer one tie at a time, one conversation at a time with #preventcancer

@Mashtacular I’m working to #preventcancer for my BFF @PunkeyBrewster, my dad and Papa

@Zkidd #Preventcancer for my friends at the Ronald Mcdonald house

@AmyDee_13 If I can do anything in this life & contribute in any way that I can to help save at least one life…#preventcancer

@Cheeky_Geeky I’m at @Katherinekenned’s #preventcancer event because I lost my boss and mentor to lymphoma in 2009

@MissJulieL to support lost friends #preventcancer

@GrantAllen because I lost my dad to @OcularMelanoma, a disease that is not preventable.

Use the #preventcancer hashtag and let us know why you want to “Stop Cancer Before It Starts!” and join the Young Professionals Group today.

My grandfather proudly served in the United States Army and did a tour of duty during the Korean War. As I reflected upon his service and his life, something deeply profound hit me.  He came home from war a survivor, not knowing that it would be a different kind of battle that would ultimately take his life. After several years in remission from prostate cancer, he eventually succumbed to bone cancer in 2001.

The “c word” strikes fear into the hearts of many, and I am no different.  I hate the word, the disease, the pain and devastation it causes and I want it eradicated.  Cancer has claimed not only the life of three of my grandparents, but also the lives of so many friends, including my very best friend, my 17-year old sister, Sara.  Last September was the 10 year anniversary of Sara’s death.  In her honor I ran the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 5K for the first time.  I am proud to say that “Team Sara” received the top team fundraising award and raised more than $3,300 for cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach.  Cancer may have won a few battles, but I am determined it will not win the war.

Although my first attempt at the 5K last year was quite successful, I am not finished – not by a long shot. This year, with the help of some friends, “Team Celebrate” will be honoring and celebrating the lives of all those we love that have been touched by cancer.  We will be participating in the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s 5K on September 24. Some members of “Team Celebrate” will run the 5K, others will walk, and a few will be cheering all participants on to make it to the finish line – our single purpose: raise vital funds for one of the most noteworthy causes I have ever known. Our team goal is to raise an additional $5,000 for cancer prevention efforts so that not one more person we love will ever need to battle this terrible disease.

Over the next several months I will be regaling you with stories of “Team Celebrate”, highlighting the people behind the mission, our accomplishments, successes and even our failures. We know that we are not alone in our desire to win the war against cancer so we hope that you in turn, will share your experiences with us.

Is there a loved one you wish to remember, honor, and celebrate?  Will you join me, “Team Celebrate”, and the Prevent Cancer Foundation to stop cancer before it starts?  For more information about the Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K, or to register, create and/or join a team please visit www.preventcancer5k.org.

We want to hear from you too. Let me know if you are going to participate in this year’s 5K and why you are running or walking? I will keep you posted on Team Celebrate’s progress and you do the same!

(From Left to Right) Mike Uyama, Jan Bresch, Linda Chastain, Chip Vogel and Timothy Peters at the Prevent Cancer Foundation offices.

Mike Uyama of Speed Demos Archive reached out to the Foundation’s Senior Director of Special Events Linda Chastain in late October 2010 about the marathon. He, along with fellow organizers Chip Vogel and Timothy Peters, had done their homework about the Prevent Cancer Foundation before hand. “After working with a large charity for our first AGDQ marathon, we wanted an organization that was closer to home and one that could tell us where our donations were going,” said Uyama. “The Prevent Cancer Foundation has been very supportive every step of the way, and they even went out of their way to mention us in their newsletter and on their Web site’s home page.”

Foundation Executive Vice President and COO Jan Bresch and Linda Chastain met with Mike and his family, Chip and Timothy for a check presentation recently. “At first, this was all Greek to me,” said Ms. Bresch. “But the commitment and enthusiasm that Mike, Chip, Timothy and the Speed Demos Archive players made to the marathon in support of cancer prevention and early detection was an inspiration.”

When asked at the check presentation ceremony what advice they would give to gamers that wanted to hold a similar fundraiser, Mike said, “Don’t be discouraged. We have a large following that helped us raise as much as we did. It might take awhile but don’t give up if it is for a good cause.”

The Prevent Cancer Foundation thanks Speed Demos Archive and all SDA’s players and donors for their incredible support.  Speed Demos Archive has sent us “Awesome Games Done Quick – Done Quick” which spans the whole marathon, with a fundraising tally,  in a little over 3 minutes. Enjoy!

Just last week, the Speed Demos Archive “Awesome Games Done Quick” event proved that smaller donations can really add up. Online gamers participated in an ambitious 24/7 (around the clock) gaming marathon during which they raced to beat 100 games in four days.  Hoping to raise at least $25,000, the event attracted 52 participants and over 3,700 online viewers donated to the event. Speed Demos Archive more than doubled its initial goal, generating over $53,300. But the marathon donors didn’t break the bank; in fact, the average donation was about $16. In 2010, individual gifts of $25 and under generated enough funds for the Prevent Cancer Foundation to provide cervical cancer screening for more than 600 Hispanic women through our ¡Celebremos la vida! program and prostate screening for  more than 650 men at State Fair Health Screening booths in Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, and Nebraska.

Beneficiary events such as the Speed Demos Archive marathon are fantastic ways to raise funds for a charitable organization, but not all beneficiary events have to involve elaborate planning, an opulent venue, or high-level donations in order to be a success. All it takes is an idea, a little imagination, and a few friends to participate. This has proved true with hundreds of beneficiary events held by various individuals and organizations across the country that have chosen to join in the effort of cancer prevention and early detection.

This past October, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) held activity fundraisers in their Washington, DC headquarters, including “Minute to Win It” challenges and a 9-hole miniature golf course set up inside the NAB building. The office-inspired golf course featured a putting station on each floor and “homemade” terrain such as shredded paper sand traps, a tricky elevator shot, and office chair obstacles. The putting clubs were borrowed and the golf balls were donated, making for a resourceful, fun, and successful event that raised nearly $1,100. In Texas, employees of the Cardon Healthcare Network held a “Strike Out for Cancer” fundraiser, raising over $2,800 during an evening of bowling.

A beneficiary event can be as simple as meeting with friends to dedicate a few hours to a great cause. A high school group can organize a weekend car wash or lunchtime bake sale. Someone with an upcoming birthday can enclose donation envelopes with the invitations, encouraging guests to make donations to the Foundation in lieu of gifts. If your poker skills aren’t quite up to par to participate in the Bad Beat on Cancer Tournament on Capitol Hill, host a poker night with coworkers and friends and donate the proceeds. As I have witnessed through the inventive endeavors of generous donors and participants, no contribution is too small. These donations truly add up, proving that anyone can save a life with a good idea and a modest gift. I’d love to hear some of your ideas for raising money for your favorite charity. Send your ideas for hosting your own beneficiary events.