IN THE NEWS

Judy and Chip McElroy with Dr Sandoval, the honoree.

By: Susan Macura

The Ryan McElroy Children's Cancer Foundation held its Fourth Annual Gala of Hope on March 10 at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. This year's event topped those held in prior years with more money raised than ever before. This year's total reached $150 thousand, a far cry from last year's $85 thousand.

The evening began with a poignant slide show of Ryan with his family. It was the perfect way for those who did not know Ryan to see just how special he was and continues to be.

The master of ceremonies for the night was Sheriff Adrian "Butch" Anderson. Chip McElroy introduced him, calling him a "good friend to the foundation." Anderson proved his worth by cajoling and teasing the crowd into donating more and more to this amazing cause.

This foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded by the family and friends of Ryan McElroy, one of our own who lost his courageous battle with cancer just shy of his fifth birthday.

The goal of this foundation is to support local children who are afflicted by cancer or other life threatening illnesses. The founders want to make sure that for each child involved, nothing that could be attempted to save that child's life is not done. Among the services that the foundation provides are relief for rental expenses, medical bills, heating bills, travel expenses, birthday parties and sadly, funeral costs. It is Chip McElroy's wish that no child will ever be turned away by this group.

This foundation is unique in that the staff that runs it is totally made up of volunteers. Every penny that is donated to this cause goes towards the people that are helped.

The foundation also partners with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and often works with St. Francis Hospital, Vassar Brothers Hospital and Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Westchester where Ryan's doctor, Dr. Claudio Sandoval, practices.

Sandoval was the first recipient of The Hope Award given at this year's gala. McElroy talked about how this doctor made such a difference in Ryan's life. According to McElroy, he helped Ryan through two years of highs and lows, and was there for his darkest days. He cared not only for Ryan, but for the entire family as well. On the day that Ryan went to heaven, Sandoval shared that pain as well.

McElroy spoke of how Sandoval seemed to lose a piece of himself when a child died. But he also said that for every child he saved, a piece was restored, allowing him to continue his fight.

McElroy concluded by saying that Sandoval is a "great man doing great things. Keep that fire burning because we need you."

Sandoval modestly accepted the honor while indicating that he does not work in a vacuum. He spoke about recently losing his father and wishing he was there that night to see this.

Anderson resumed his hosting duties and spoke of his good friend, JJ Thompson. He spoke of Thompson's long battle with cancer and of their 34-year friendship. He call Thompson a man of wit and humor and spoke of how devastating it was to everyone to watch him wither away as well as the frustration of not being able to do anything about it.

Anderson spoke of Thompson's last wishes, including no fanfare, no memorials, no flowers. Instead, in a last generous act, he directed that people instead send a check to the McElroy Foundation. Thompson's family were also recipients of a Hope Award for this selfless act.

Assemblyman Joel Miller also spoke briefly. He encouraged the crowd to dig deep into their pockets for this worthy cause.

The Westchester County Police Fife & Drums Corp. provided entertainment before dinner with a variety of numbers performed with their bagpipes.

After dinner Anderson conducted the live auction, spinning joke after joke as he amassed a small fortune for the foundation. There was also a silent auction and a raffle. The donors seemed endless. The raffle for a large screen television was won by Deputy Art Hart who ended the evening on a high note when he donated it back to the foundation to give to a local hospital.

McElroy summed up the evening by saying, "The weather Saturday was gloomy and dark outside but inside 400 rays of sunlight lit up the children's lives."

For more information about the foundation and upcoming events, contact Chip or Judy McElroy at the World Gym at 855-9710 or visit www.ryansfoundation.org