An enormous THANK YOU for a successful supper...

A special thank you to each and every person who supported the supper on Saturday in their own special way...

Whether as a generous donor, a worker bee or a hungry dinner guest...THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU...

The proceeds and donations from Saturday night's spaghetti supper exceeded our greatest expectations and brought in close to $2000 for the Groh family. Amazing.

In addition to the financial success, we had another 15 folks enter the Marrow Donor program.  One step closer to finding Susan's ideal match...

This past Saturday was a shining bright spot for Warwick Fire Fighters Soccer Club.  Club president, Doyle Byrd, prides himself on running a "compassionate" club that really cares for its members needs. It's obvious that other folks in our club understand his outlook.  Players, board members and coaches were everywhere.  Steve Symonds, assistant coach extraordinaire, sang his heart out!

A special thank you to all the folks who rallied from Susan's neighborhood and close circle of friends.  Karen DeFelice worked her magic in bringing in some fabulous items for our Silent Auction.  I think we created some artistry with the baskets that yielded HUGE returns. 

Finally, it was great to see Susan, our guest of honor.  Her smiling face spoke volumes. Dressed all in yellow, she reminded me of a bright shining star.

I am sure she will continue burning bright with all the love and support she is receiving.

Isn't that what it's all about?

Don't miss out - penny social awesome-ness

The supper is set for tomorrow with some AMAZING items up for auction.
Gift cards galore, wine baskets and busy baskets for the kiddos...
Last minute gold circle donations...$100 gift cards to Capital Grille x 2 and luscious jewelry from Ross Simons.
Hope you can make it!

Spaghetti Supper on May 19th - Harness the power of Social Media!

Warwick Fire Fighters Soccer Club will be hosting a spaghetti supper on May 19th to raise funds to assist with the medical costs of Susan Groh's battle with leukemia.  The event will take place at Greenwood Elementary School's all-purpose room in Warwick (93 Sharon Street).

We are looking forward to a fantastic night spent with family and friends while enjoying some great food. We are catering the event and each order will consist of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and a drink.

We will have a 50-50 raffle (you can win cash!), silent auction baskets and live music!

We will also have baked treats for your to enjoy...

The Marrow Donor Program will also be there to enter more folks into the registry.  Results are still pending from the drive we did in April.  The more people that register, the closer Susan gets to finding her match - and the more people we potentially can help with a life-saving gift.

How can you help?

• Harness the power of social media...

Send the link to this blog to everyone you know. It's pretty simple by just clicking the icons at the very bottom of this post.

Tweet, post and share on Facebook, text all your phone contacts, email your friends - spread the word!

• Please buy a ticket - sooner than later (so we can plan appropriately)

We will have three seatings @ 4, 5 or 6 pm - and a take-out window.  
Adults (12&over): $7
Kids (3-12) & Seniors - $5
Kids under 3 - FREE
*We have limited seating so please by your tickets as soon as possible to be assured of your first seating choice.

You can purchase tickets by using the link above this posting for PayPal.  Or if you would like to pay by check, you can mail your check to:

WFFSC
c/o Spaghetti Supper
PO Box 8605
Warwick, RI 02888
(please be sure to indicate your name, choice of seating and number of guests)

• Donate a new item or gift card for our silent auction baskets

We have already received a handful of items for our baskets (family four-pack of tickets to New England Aquarium, an overnight hotel stay, a Lowe's gift card, some nice bottles of wine, a Kuerig brewer).

We need more!

Beach toys, towels, gardening tools, outside toys, arts and crafts items, a stay at your family's vacation home, sporting event tickets - all great ideas!

Please bring your items to Winslow Field on any Saturday - or email me and I can arrange for pick-up.

• Volunteer

I will be looking for volunteers as the date approaches.  Please let me know if you are available via email.  Set-up, food serving, hosting, table setting, guest check-in - just a few of the many tasks that will need smiling faces!


Please do not hesitate to email me, Stephanie Riemer-Meunier, with any questions. Please use the matchforsusan@gmail.com email.

Thanks!  See you at the supper...

The Marrow Drive was a HUGE Success...

The Bone Marrow Drive sponsored by the Warwick Firefighters Soccer Club last Saturday was an overwhelming success.  Over a hundred people entered the marrow donor registry...amazing

There was a non-stop line of people from moment the drive kicked off at 8:30 a.m until the marrow program closed up shop at 1:00 p.m. - a full half hour later than scheduled to accommodate all of the people who supported the effort marrow drive effort.

Highlights of the day included:

• The entire Lesley  women's soccer team showing up to support Sarah (a Lesley alum) by joining the registry
• Scouts from local  packs and troops dressed in uniform to keep things running smoothly
• Warwick Firefighter Soccer Club volunteers organizing the event and encouraging soccer families to participate in the drive
• Sue's special visit at the fence - and a huge greeting from all of her fans
• An unbelievable outpouring of support from a caring community

If  you missed the chance to join us at the field, you can still enter the registry.  You can join the marrow donor program by visiting any RI Blood Center location...and while you're there, maybe donate a pint of blood. 

Next up?  The spaghetti supper fund raising dinner on May19th!

Lots of people approached me to ask how they could help...stayed tuned for a bunch of ways that YOU can pitch in.

A Great Day Awaits. . .Marrow Drive @ Winslow Field for Susan TOMORROW

A woman in great spirits awaiting her marrow match?

Check...

Spring Saturday morning with a promise to be rain-free?

Check...

Educational programs presented by the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society of RI?

Check..

A ton of friends and volunteers stepping up to make the day a huge success?

Check...

The Mayor of Warwick in attendance to show his support?

Check...

The most important person...YOU...at the drive tomorrow?

Hoping we can put a check there, too.

We are ready for a hugely sucessful day for Susan tomorrow.  Everyone who joins the Marrow Donor program tomorrow will enjoy a complimentary treat, courtesy of Dave's Marketplace.  Every new entrant into the program will also be entered into a drawing to win one of two  lunch or dinner certificates generously donated by Panera Bread.

We will also be selling tickets for our May 19th spaghetti supper between the hours of 9 am to 11 am.  Stop by the table, reserve your spot and pay with cash, credit or check payable to WFFSC.

I spoke with Susan today.  She was hoping to attend but her blood work shows she probably should keep a low profile.  Jack and the kids will be there.  If you see them, be sure to say hello.

Rain or Shine - The Marrow Drive is happening on THIS Saturday

The Warwick Fire Fighters Soccer Club is thrilled to host the Marrow Donor Program at Winslow Field to find Susan's match.

Spring in New England is always a little unpredictable. You can never be sure what Mother Nature has in store for the weekend weather, but come rain or shine...

The show will go on!

We have sheltered tents to protect us from any passing rain showers or bright, hot sunshine for the brief amount of time needed to do your cheek swab. 

Remember to bring your ID and your health insurance card, if you have one (RI health insurance companies cover the cost of entering a member into the marrow registry according to the information that Jack Groh has heard).  Again there is absolutely no money out of pocket required for you to participate - even if you don't have health coverage, the Marrow Program will absorb the cost of the swab test from a fund that been set up for this very reason.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm

April 21st

SATURDAY

Join the Bone Marrow Donor Program for Susan...The not-so-scary story

Bone - Marrow - Donation...sounds a bit scary doesn't it?  Isn't marrow deep down inside your bones? 

Yes...and Yes.


It does sound scary and marrow is a pretty amazing part of our bodies located inside our bones.

The scary part is not knowing exactly what's involved with being a bone marrow donor...

What's it all about?

Bone marrow, simply put, makes cells that keep our blood healthy and help us fight off any sickness that might come along.  When a person's bone marrow gets "sick" with leukemia, the cells stop working the way they should.  There are different types of leukemia.  Each type can require a different approach.

Susan Groh has AML - acute myeloid leukemia - and her marrow just isn't acting the way it should. The doctors want to replace her not-so-good marrow cells with some beautiful, healthy marrow cells.  But - she needs a match...someone who's cells will get along with the make-up of Susan's body.  

Susan needs a match.

Be the Match...

The test to see if you're a match?


  Painless.  Just a cotton swab along the inside of your cheeck.

Where could you do the test?

 The Marrow Donor Program is coming to Winslow Soccer field on April 21st! 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

The cost to you?  ZERO

Bring your health insurance card and ID.  Most health insurance plans cover the test and if your coverage doesn't, there is a fund that will cover your costs.

What if you are THE match?

80% of the time the cells can be donated through a procedure that is similar to a blood donation and can take place at the blood center. 

This donation method is the one that Susan's doctor has indicated is the most likely option for her.

20% of the time, the procedure takes place in medical facility...

With either approach, recovery is less than one day.


One day of your life to possibly give thousands of days to Susan's life.

It's simple. 

Please come to Bone Marrow Drive on the 21st.