Keszler vows to turn Pennies in to Action

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Keszler vows to turn pennies into action
Palm Beach-area fans can skate with the stars for cancer research
Uschi Keszler is determined to make pennies add up for cancer research funding
By Lynn Rutherford, special to icenetwork.com
(07/20/2010) - It was at a 1981 choreography seminar that Uschi Keszler swirled into Brian Orser's life, impressing the athlete and his coach, Dough Leigh, with her theories on movement and "feeling the energy" of skating.

She was "a vital, demonstrative and very attractive German-American blonde who...talked about energy flow [and] capturing an inner feeling" Orser wrote in his autobiography, A Skater's Life.

The Canadian great, who now coaches Olympic champion Yu-Na Kim, ended up working with Keszler en route to two Olympic silver medals and the 1987 world title.

Nearly 30 years after that fateful seminar, Keszler has lost none of her enthusiasm and drive. As one of the owners of the four-surface IceWorks facility in Aston, Pa., site of the annual Liberty Summer Competition, she keeps things humming with style.

And as a cancer survivor, her most heartfelt efforts are devoted to her foundation, Pennies in Action, dedicated to raising funds for medical research.

"This is a concern to every person in world," Keszler, a 1965 German champion and one-time star of Holiday on Ice, said.

"They are estimating that by 2030, 13 million people will die of cancer each year. My goal is this will not happen."

Keszler -- who also coached world ice dance champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz and was an integral part of two-time Olympic silver medalist Elvis Stojko's success -- started Pennies in Action two-and-a-half years ago, after having an epiphany at her rink one morning.

"I found a penny on the floor, and I thought, what if everybody does their part and takes ownership in solving this problem, instead of hoping the top two percent [of income earners] do it," she said.

Keszler's logic: loose change, when multiplied, makes a huge impact. So she started the Penny-a-Day Club, comprising a donation of $5 for a one-year membership.

Pennies in Action's efforts center on raising funds for cancer vaccine research at The University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Brian Czerniecki and his research team. Dr. Czerniecki receives National Institute of Health support, but it falls $14,000 short per patient, and Pennies in Action helps to close that gap.

Right now, the current trial is for the breast cancer diagnosis of DCIS/Her2/neu. Next year the vaccine trial is being expanded to include those with invasive breast cancer.

At Liberty, Keszler and friends worked tirelessly, manning an information table and soliciting small donations via a 50/50 raffle, which coincidentally was won by a medical practitioner.

"I asked him, 'How charitable are you feeling?' and he donated back," the persistent, but charming, Keszler laughed.

"One of the big things is we need 50 more patients to go into this [vaccine] trial, and because people are coming [to Liberty] from all over, we can get the message out. It's still in a clinical trial, so it's not openly advertised, but it's as easy as somebody going to lunch and learning that one of their friends is diagnosed with breast cancer, and suggesting they find out about the trial."

Several of the youth hockey teams that train at IceWorks have pitched in with fundraisers; a tournament held during the Christmas season raised $2800, and a visiting Minnesota team contributed $1400.

The figure skating community is also getting involved. In Florida, adult skater and breast cancer patient Melissa Nicholas has teamed up with Shelley Dodt, breast cancer survivor and Director of the Florida Chapter of PIA, to hold Skate with the Stars on August 7th at the Palm Beach Skate Zone in Lake Worth.

This event, held in honor of local news anchor Kristin Hoke, who recently passed away after a courageous bout with cancer, gives fans a chance to skate with well-known skaters prior to the Skate Zone's Summer Sizzler Skating Show. At press time, expected participants include two-time U.S. pair champion (with Rocky Marvel) Calla Urbanski, among others. The show will be headlined by U.S. pair silver medalists Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig, and will also feature Michael Chau, who won the 2010 U.S. junior pair title with Tracy Tanovich.

Admission is $5 per person, including skate rental. For tickets call the Palm Beach Skate Zone at (561) 963-5900. Admission for the Summer Sizzler Skating Show is $10 for adults and a jar of pennies for children and students.

To find learn more about Pennies in Action, including information on the vaccine trial, see Penniesinaction.org.

icenetwork.com

Olympians to skate in Benefit show in Forida...

Contact: Jacqueline Walls
Phone: (561) 649-6674
Email: jaci@alacartemarketing.biz
www.penniesinaction.org
www.shelleydodt.com
Two local women, two different forms of breast cancer, unite to organize fundraiser to benefit Pennies in Action Breast Cancer Vaccine Research and the American Breast Cancer Foundation
‘Skate with the Stars” event to be held on August 7th at the Palm Beach Skate Zone
July 8, 2010 Lake Worth, FL – A Skate with Stars Fundraiser is planned as part of the Summer Sizzler Skating Show to be held at the Palm Beach Skate Zone in Lake Worth, Florida on August 7th from 4:10 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. The event will benefit the Pennies in Action (PIA) Breast Cancer Vaccine Research and American Breast Cancer Foundation and will precede the Skate Zone’s Summer Sizzler Skating Show that starts at 6 p.m. Admission to the Skate with Stars and Auction event is just $5 per person and includes a skate rental. Admission for the Summer Sizzler Skating Show is $10 for adults and a jar of “pennies” for children and students. The Palm Beach Skate Zone is located on Lake Worth Road just west of the Turnpike Entrance.
Local breast cancer patient, Melissa Nicholas has teamed up with Shelley Dodt, breast cancer survivor and Director of the Florida Chapter of PIA to organize and raise money for Pennies in Action. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in March of this year, Nicholas knew she was on a mission to inspire others while fighting this disease. Since the passing of news anchor, Kristin Hoke of Channel 25, Nicholas is now even more intent on this mission.

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PAGE 2 – SKATE WITH THE STARS fundraiser
Nicholas, 44, took up skating just 4 years ago with her 10-year-old daughter, MacKenzie, now she is training for the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships. Nicholas, currently receiving chemotherapy, plans to skate with her daughter in the Skate with the Stars event.
Nicholas was introduced to Dodt through her skating coach, Samantha de Laski, who had attended a previous Pennies in Action event. Dodt, a recipient of the breast cancer vaccine herself and local to South Florida, received 6 shots in 6 weeks and found that she was cancer free. The vaccine however comes with a large price tag of $83,000.00 and all cancers are not treated through this vaccine. The Pennies in Action organization directly funds cancer vaccine research at The University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Brian Czerniecki and his research team. He receives NIH (?) support but it falls $14,000 short per patient and Pennies in Action helps to close that gap. Right now, the current trial is for DCIS/Her2/neu (is this a particular type of breast cancer?). This summer there are plans to expand the trial to pancreatic cancer. The vaccine is also being considered for ovarian, brain and other cancer trials.
“I want to do my part to help the next generation be rid of this awful, physically maiming, life threatening disease,” says Nicholas. “I found out about Pennies in Action, founded by Olympic Skating Coach and breast cancer survivor, Uschi Keszler. My love skating led me to this organization and I thought it was a perfect avenue to raise money for a great cause that is going to touch so many lives,” continues Nicholas.
About Pennies in Action
Pennies in Action is a philanthropic organization and was founded in 2008 by Olympic figure skater, coach, inventor of the ice-skating term hydroblading, and choreographer Uschi Keszler who is herself a breast cancer survivor. The Pennies in Action fund recognizes, along with many experts, that vaccines, rather than chemotherapy remain the most advantageous avenue for dealing with cancer. It has consequently targeted as its initial project the breast cancer vaccine research of surgeon and researcher in endocrinology and oncology Brian Czerniecki, M.D., Ph.D. on the staff of the Abramson Cancer Center of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Czerniecki has had success in clinical trials and a history of gaining patents on inventions that increase antigens against cancer.
For more information on this event or to be a sponsor, call Jacqueline Walls at 561-649-6674. You may also visit us at www.penniesinaction.org to see how you can make a donation or organize a fundraising event in your area.
About The Palm Beach Skate Zone
The Palm Beach Skate Zone is one cool place to chill. Palm Beach Skate Zone Ice and Inline Center is a premier twin indoor ice skating, entertainment, and roller-skating complex. Both ice rinks have spectator seating and climate controlled "warm zone" areas. Call or click for information at: (561) 963-5900 or info@pbskatezone.com .

Crusade to conquer breast cancer is taking off...

I am so excited to see all the people that are coming forward and are joining this crusade.
Pennies in Action is an all volunteer army…
We are giving every Penny possible to the research on hand.
Melissa Nichol, an adult figure skater who is now in treatment for breast cancer , is helping with an Ice show at the Skate Zone in West Palm Beach, which is benefitting Pennies in Action.
Amanda Evora /Mark Ladwig ( members of the 2010 US Olympic team)
Michael Chau ( two time national champion)
Have graciously excepted to skate in the show…
Thank you sooooooo much.
Please come out and see them
About Pennies in Action
Pennies in Action is a philanthropic organization and was founded in 2008 by Olympic figure skater, coach, inventor of the ice-skating term hydroblading, and choreographer Uschi Keszler who is herself a breast cancer survivor. The Pennies in Action fund recognizes, along with many experts, that vaccines, rather than chemotherapy remain the most advantageous avenue for dealing with cancer. It has consequently targeted as its initial project the breast cancer vaccine research of surgeon and researcher in endocrinology and oncology Brian Czerniecki, M.D., Ph.D. on the staff of the Abramson Cancer Center of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Czerniecki has had success in clinical trials and a history of gaining patents on inventions that increase antigens against cancer.
For more information on this event or to be a sponsor, call Jacqueline Walls at 561-649-6674. You may also visit us at www.penniesinaction.org to see how you can make a donation or organize a fundraising event in your area.
I cannot thank everyone enough for helping in this amazing cause. WE WILL SEE THE END OF BREASTCANCER IN OUR LIFE TIME.

www.penniesinaction.org

Youth for Pennies in Action

It is so exciting how many people jump onto our crusade to wipe out breast cancer by helping to fund the dentritic cell vaccine.
This week a team of 14 year olds played in the Hockey tournament at Ice Works " One Hockey", on the "Team Mass 96". They surprised me by having a banner, T-shirts, stickers on the helmet and many , many collected coins for our cause.
I was sooo touched by all of this. I will take the money to the bank today and find out how much they collected. Thanks to their coach Joe Redfearn, who has been an amazing supporter of our cause....
This is the second Hockey team that has taken on our fight ( Ridley youth hockey club)
also sepa Lacrosse and numerous other youths, like Katie and Jennie, that have been helping us.
I know it will be our young people that will push this over the top......

Another amazing crusader for the cause

This girl is a whipper snapper!



SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010 12:50 AM, EDT
Last Friday, the 11th, I was unloading the dishwasher and thinking to myself how 42 year old news anchor Kristin Hoke from WPTV channel 25 was doing battle with breast cancer for the second time. Then I thought if she could do this a second time, that really encouraged me on my own health journey. Then the very next day I found out Kristin had passed away. I understand her story is not my story. However, I did need a couple of days to process and mourn her death. Did I mention she left behind a 3 year old daughter? I dealt with my sadness asking God to help me with my emotions. After those couple of days it turned into that righteous anger that helps you take action. I went running in the middle of the day two days in a row just like I used to when I was training for a marathon. I went to the rink and skated for an hour last Wednesday too.

While I was running, I began to think, what if Kristin Hoke was eligible for the work being done by Pennies in Action for the Breast Cancer Vaccine from Dr. Czerniecki? You see the big problem with breast cancer is the recurrence factor as you may have seen in other victims. The great news is Dr. Czerniecki's vaccine trial has been 100% effective in wiping out the breast cancer of its eligible patients! I knew I wanted to help Pennies in Action along with being hopeful to participate in his next trial that includes my cancer diagnosis. Kristin Hoke provided the fuel to encourage me to do my part to see that this 3 year old little girl's mom didn't die in vain, helping other women realize the wonderful outcome of this vaccine. You see Dr. Czerneicki activates the patient's own immune system antibodies to go after the harmful protein Her2neu so the woman's body is trained to go after that harmful cell if this cancer tries to come back. So you can see the enormous benefit here of using our own bodies to fight the cancer!

So this past week we jumped in and for starters MacKenzie set up a snack stand to the passing golfers from our backyard raising awareness and some funds for Pennies in Action. That is her in the picture included in this journal entry. That same day we teamed up with Dolly Duke-Maggio, Melanie Silkworth, and Jaci Walls. Dolly runs the figure skating program at SkateZone, Melanie is an awesome business woman who cares about serving people, and Jaci is a marketing guru with clients from AT&T to companies launching patent pending products. Dolly took notes and went back to the rink to put together a summer ice skating show fundraiser for Pennies in Action on August 7th. Other volunteers have joined us already like Taylor Billington, Samantha de Lasky, Helena Castilla, Karen Cresswell, Lina Hurley, and Cindy Gildersleeve.

There is lots to do and only a few weeks to do it. Jaci is taking calls for more volunteers at 561-649-6674 and Helena will be accepting calls or emails for silent auction donation items at 561-718-2208 or helena@uniquepresence.com.

Dolly is also putting together an hour of ice time before the show to allow children and their chaperon (if needed) to "Skate With The Stars". Dolly and the Hockey Department are working on the list of those "Stars" with former Olympians and World competitors as well as some hockey players too! Please pray with us for those "Stars" to be open to the mission and available to be here for the show to attract a big crowd. We also need good favor from the media for great promotion and coverage of the event. Time is short and the prayers are big!

Just imagine a world where their is no more breast cancer for the next generation. Kristin Hoke was a second generation breast cancer patient. Wouldn't it be great to be a part of seeing her daughter get a vaccine that insured she would not be the third? If you want to get involved and do your part contact Jaci at 561-649-6674, even if you are far away, you are welcome to go to www.penniesinaction.org and make a donation on our behalf.

Thank you for continuing with me on my health journey...which of late appears to be turning into a health mission ;-)

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the writer of this blog is Melissa Nichol ( girl in the pink cap with her daughter McKenzie to her left) Thanks you so much Melissa for all you do for the cause....

Another wonderful donation by caring people....

Dear Uschi,
I know you deal with many people at the Ice Rink and via Pennies in Action so as a reminder I belong to a horseshoe club and we had our Memorial Day tournament. So far they have donated $167.00. Not everyone was there and some forgot their coin jars at home so they will give in the future. If you are still recording persons or groups that donate please use E.C.G.C. as the donor. It stands for East Coast Gold Cup. It is a fun loving but serious horseshoe playing private club in central PA. We have been hit very hard by cancer in the club. Currently one member has brain cancer and the other has breast cancer. We have lost others recently.
Should I write a check to you or Pennies in Action or give you the cash?
Sincerely,
Rita
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Thank you all so much for helping THE CRUSADE. As you saw on CBS last night , the money is going into a successful venture which is bringing us closer to victory every day…..
We the people, for the people , thru the caring and actions of people….

BREAST CANCER VACCINE NEWS

I am so excited to hear all the press on breast cancer vaccines. Finally we are getting ready to wrap our head around the idea that the way to deal with cancer is treating it like an infection.
That has been Dr. Czerniecki’s idea from the beginning. It made so much sense to me when I heard it. As such Pennies in Action came into being.
The results in mice have got us all excited. Well the research at University of Pennsylvania under the leadership of Dr. Czerniecki MD, PHD has been in Human trial for more than 6 years and is now in phase II with amazing results.
It also promises to have lager and wider implications down the line.
StAY TUNED TO HEAR ABOUT THE EXCITING RESULTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE…
In the meantime let everybody know about the trial so anybody diagnosed with DCIS HER2/neu should check into it as a very promising and viable option.
For info go on www.penniesinaction.org
As soon as the funding is secured the trial for invasive breast cancer will start…
Please help to make this come true asap by donating to the cause…
After seeing the amazing results in this clinical trial I cannot wait to get my vaccine, but I like so many women have to wait for the new trial since I had invasive breast cancer…..(I did not qualify for the previous trials . I was not as lucky as my friend Shelley Dodt, who had 6 shots in 6 weeks and her cancer was gone as a participant in the phase II trial at the University of Penn for DCIS HER2/neu)


Donating is easy by clicking on the widget on the right side of this page. You can use paypal or any major credit card. Thank you so much and god bless. No one in my family ever had cancer and I had 2 kinds, so no one is save. We the people for the people need to get together and win this war of suffering...!!!!!