Q3 2014 – Quarterly Newsletter & Event Information

REPORT
The third quarter of 2014 had some significant events and happenings for ECEF and we are pleased to report those to you as follows:
New Jersey Wireless Association (NJWA)
We reported to you in our June 30th Newsletter, that the NJWA had selected ECEF as it’s Non-Profit Foundation for 2014 and that a $10,000 grant went along with that designation. I am pleased to report that NJWA for the first time has decided to increase this award and this past week ECEF received a check for $25,000.
Our plan is to develop a model for New Jersey which will include a video about esophageal cancer, newspaper advertisements and establishing a blog on our web site that will focus on awareness and education of the public about this disease. We will adjust the plan as we go forward and our hope will be to use this model for other States and in that way take a step towards our mission statement that states: “To bring awareness and educate the public and medical community about esophageal cancer .”
 
Events
During the Third Quarter we had only the following event:
2014 Day at The Races
We originally decided that we would not have this event in 2014 since we were having the Gala and a fair number of the people who attended that event normally attend the Day at the Races.
After being asked when we were going to have this event and people feeling disappointed  that we were not going to have this event, we decided to have this event in September but at a reduced cost and not make it a fund raising event but an event where Ginny and I intended it as  an appreciation event for all those who have supported ECEF over the years.
We did not have sponsors and the cost of the event was the cost of the picnic area ticket to the Monmouth Race Track plus the catered lunch with the total $35.00 becoming the cost to attend the event. We had 100 people in attendance and as usual all had a great time and the weather was simply perfect.
We will plan to have this event in 2015 and it appears that the month of September will be the selected month to have this event.
Planned Events
Annbeth Katz In Memory of her husband Gerry
Each year Annbeth takes up this project in a letter campaign to all her friends, family and business associates telling them what progress is being made in the research projects that we are supporting and that ECEF Certified Financial Statement for 2013 indicates that 97% of the money that is donated to us goes to research projects that ECEF is supporting, They can see these projects on our web site www.fightec.org and the donations we have given to each project under the captioned Donations at Work.
Lorraine Castanio and Family in Memory of their Husband and Father Frank
Each of the last three years Lorraine and her daughters have had a Bowling Outing in memory of Frank Castanio and they have raised significant dollars for ECEF and its pursuit for an early detection of this disease.  This year’s outing will be held on January 23rd at the Wantagh Lanes in Wantagh New York.
Other Events
We are working with other people and families who have decided to help bring awareness of this disease and as more information is developed from these events we will make them known to you through our newsletters and social media postings. Some of these events are targeted for April which is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month.
If you would like to have an event, in memory of your loved one, please contact US at info@fightec.org  and together we can accomplish what you would like to do. The Event can be a letter campaign which would require you to simply identify who you would want this letter to go to and ECEF will do the rest.  You can also have a walk/run event or some other type of event be it a Bowling outing, day at a race track or anything that is a favorite of yours or your loved one and we can make it happen.
EC Articles
On our web site www.fightec.org we have a category called EC Articles. We rely on Google to give us a copy of the original article each day that mention Esophagus or Esophageal Cancer. We review the articles, and those that would be of interest to a patient and their family will be posted to our web site under various categories within EC articles. These articles are also posted to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Below are the articles we have selected for this quarters newsletter.  Click on the title to go directly to the article.
Endoscope offers smart fixes for your serious digestive problems
Today, many GI tract diseases that once required surgery can be treated without incisions. Two such conditions include achalasia, a swallowing disorder, and early-stage gastric and esophageal cancers.
Esophageal cancer rates on the rise
“Chronic reflux is more common in overweight and obese people. A lot of gastric acidity refluxing up into the esophagus can damage the inner lining of the esophagus,” Wong said. “Changes in the lining can lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus; any changes can ultimately lead to cancer.”
Conclusion
If you have any thoughts about what you would like to see more about in these newsletters please let us know. We are always interested in assisting the patient and caregivers as they journey through this disease. You can email us at info@fightec.org .
Respectfully submitted
Bart Frazzitta
President