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May 5, 2010 - Get out your pens and put a big red circle around May 21: That's the night you want to be at New York's Grand Havana Room so that you don't miss the 2010 Cooley's Anemia Foundation Cigar Smoker.
"This major fund raising event is a one-of-a-kind evening. "It all comes down to the people – and to getting to spend time with the people," says Frank Fusaro, the indefatigable Chair of the Cigar Smoker Tribute Committee. "I go to fund raising events throughout the year, but this one really is special. | | Meet This Year's Honoree: Louis D'Agostino 
| | | Louis D’Agostino is a former NFL running back and is a Director at Frank Crystal & Co., a highly successful insurance brokerage, and the Co-Founder and President of the Italian Networking Organization, a non-profit which brings together like-minded business professionals of Italian-American heritage. How did you get involved with CAF and the Cigar Smoker?
I was invited to attend the Cigar Smoker as a guest 4 years ago. A good friend of mine, Frank Marzano, was being honored for his excellent work with the Foundation. My wife is a carrier of thalassemia trait, so I had some awareness of it before I went. After learning so much more at the event, I made a conscious effort to reach out to Frank Fusaro and Tony Laurino and let them know that I was willing to help in whatever way I could. A few months later, I received a call inviting me to join the host committee for the next Cigar Smoker, and I’ve been on board ever since. What do you tell people when talking to them about the Cigar Smoker?
I let them know this is something that I have been involved with for number of years. Since I’m not personally impacted by it, I feel like I have a lot to learn; but I also know enough to be able to tell people about the challenges that go with the disease. I let them know about how difficult it is to undergo all these constant blood transfusions and about how hard it is to keep up with all the treatments, especially the ones to get rid of the iron. And I let them know about the work CAF does, especially in terms of research for treatment and for a cure. I also make sure they know that this is really a tremendous event. It’s a first class venue, there’s great company, great food. It’s an event that I wouldn’t miss, because there’s nothing else like it. Do you have any words of encouragement that you’d like to share with people who are affected by thalassemia?
I played football for a number of years and I was always the ultimate underdog. I was told a million times, “You’re never going to get there. You’re never going to make it.” I had my own trials and tribulations to handle, but despite what I was told, I had a clear idea of what I wanted, a clear vision, and I kept pushing. I know that people with thalassemia have many, many challenges and that it can get frustrating, but I encourage them to keep a clear vision of what they want and to persevere, to keep on pushing. The mind is amazingly powerful, and the will to live and survive and make it is an incredible tool. Don’t let the obstacles get you down; get back up and keep on fighting. 
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"First, it’s an unbelievable venue with an incredible view and great food. We make certain we keep the program relatively short, with just a few speeches, so that the guests have more time to really be guests. It’s a great change from going to an event and listening to one speech after another after another." 
| | | The Grand Havana Room | |
"I always tell people that have never been that they should be prepared to come back year after year," Frank adds. "People enjoy themselves so much that they make it a habit." Beyond the irreplaceable social aspect, the Cigar Smoker features a delicious dinner, great cigars and a setting that can't be beat. The decor of the Grand Havana Room is sumptuous and the view is, literally, breath taking. Frank, who has chaired this event for many years now, explains that he's willing to devote so much time "because I've seen the suffering of the parents and the children who have to deal with thalassemia. I’ve seen the disease first hand. I don’t see how anyone can be exposed to this and NOT want to do something to help. 
| | Frank Fusaro
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"I sometimes say that out of all the charities I’m involved with, this is the one that can really be painful. Anyone who has visited the hospital and witnessed these kids being transfused will understand. No parent should be made to watch their child suffer with the pain of thalassemia. What parents and their children go through is heartbreaking. As a parent and now a grandparent, I understand how difficult it must be. "And CAF is such a small organization that I just have to help; I know that the money we raise goes a lot further with CAF because they have to make the most out of every dollar they receive." Frank cares very much about all those affected by thalassemia and wants them to know that "you’re never alone; there are good people out there that care, whose hearts reach out to you. I know we’re all waiting anxiously for that cure we’ve been seeking, but we need to look at the huge change in life expectancy that I’ve seen during the time I’ve been involved. That’s a very positive, heartening development which will lead to the day we’ll find that cure."
"What we need to do now," he adds, "is really build the Cigar Smoker committee so that we can continue to grow and continue to provide CAF with funds to keep up its incredible work. With an event committee, if you’re not growing, you’re contracting. We need new blood to sustain this event and continue to raise the bar. "One really big help would be if the patients and their families would reach out to their contacts and help us recruit new members for our committee. People who have a direct connection to thalassemia are important, both because of the drive they bring to making the event a success and for being able to educate other committee members with their personal experiences." The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6:00, followed by dinner at 7:00. For more information, download a flyer by clicking here or contact Alyssa Youngerman at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or (212) 279-8090. |
