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PBA Signal 30 Fund Casino Night Fundraiser

1/12/2012 4:20:16 PM

Dear PBA Members,
On March 9, 2012 the New York State Troopers PBA Signal 30 Benefit Fund will hold their 3rd Annual Casino Night Benefit at the Doral Arrowwood Resort in Rye Brook, New York.
Proceeds from this year’s event will go to offset the medical costs for Valentina Prestigiacomo, daughter of Troopers Diane Parrotta and Mark Prestigiacomo, and Caleb Cunniff, son of Trooper David Cunniff, and the NYS Troopers PBA Signal 30 Benefit Fund.

           We are asking for your support and participation in this important fundraiser. We have reduced the prices for attendance to $150.00 for one active or retired Division of State Police employee (both sworn and civilian), and $250.00 for a Division employee plus his or her guest. Additionally, we will be posting all information regarding sponsorship, the event flier and the introductory letter on PBA bulletin boards at Division installations. Contribution envelopes will be attached to the bulletin boards if you are unable to attend and would like to contribute in some way. Below is information about the children who will be benefiting from this year’s fundraiser.
           Caleb Cunniff was born on February 7, 2007. Caleb was able to crawl as a baby, but not walk. Around the age of 2, he still was not able to walk and was losing the ability to crawl. The Cunniffs took him to Shriner's Hospital in Springfield, MA, where he was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type II. SMA is a neuromuscular disease characterized by degeneration of motor neurons resulting in progressive muscular atrophy (wasting away) and weakness. Through the use of a power wheel chair the Cunniffs are able to move Caleb from one place to another. Caleb requires assistance to change positions, from a laying to sitting, or when changing positions in bed. Caleb is currently undergoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, pool therapy and massage therapy every week. The clinical spectrum of SMA ranges from early infant death to normal adult life with only mild weakness.   Comprehensive medical care, involving multiple disciplines, is required for the treatment of SMA.
The Cunniff’s expenses for Caleb’s treatment are substantial, and will include the purchase of a handicap accessible van, which will cost approximately $30,000.00, even after receiving a Medicaid waiver for a portion of the expense.
            Valentina Prestigiacomo was born March 1, 2010. In October 2011, 19-month-old Valentina was discovered to have a tumor wrapped around her spinal cord, which appeared to also be coming from an abnormal vertebra. The tumor was placing pressure on her spinal cord, which was affecting her lower extremities and hindering her from walking and even going to the bathroom. A team of pediatric neurosurgeons immediately performed a surgery to decompress the pressure on her spinal cord. Unfortunately due to its high-risk location, the surgeons could only remove a small portion of the tumor. Valentina was diagnosed with a cancer called Ewing's Sarcoma, a malignant tumor that generates from the bone or soft tissue. There are only about 300-400 cases a year of Ewing's in the U.S. Valentina was transferred to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC where she is now being treated by a unit that specializes strictly in Sarcomas. Treatment will take approximately nine months to a year to complete and is comprised of several rounds of chemotherapy, as well as radiation and possibly additional surgeries. Radiation therapy takes 31 days and requires her to be put under anesthesia each time. Upon completion of the radiation treatments the team will assess her progress and will determine whether surgery is necessary to remove any remaining tumor or the abnormal vertebra causing it. Valentina is still unable to walk and it is still uncertain how much nerve damage was sustained to her spinal cord.
            After completion of cancer treatment Valentina will begin treatment at a hospital that deals with spinal cord nerve damage. She is currently receiving intense physical and occupational therapy on a daily basis.
           The Signal 30 Benefit Fund is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was created by the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc., the certified and only officially recognized collective bargaining representative for uniformed Members of the New York State Police including Troopers, Sergeants and Commissioned Officers. The Signal 30 Benefit Fund supports our Members and their families in extraordinary circumstances and times of need, most notably, to assist families of Troopers killed in the line of duty. The Signal 30 Benefit Fund also allows Members and other donors to establish and contribute to trust accounts, scholarships and other investment venues established to benefit the survivors of these Troopers.
           We look forward to you joining us in this most worthwhile event on behalf of two very brave and courageous children. More information will follow and will be posted on the PBA web site at www.nystpba.org and www.signal30.org .

Click here to view the Casino Night 2012 Flier.pdf

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