The Andr?a Rizzo Foundation // May 2015
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A note from one of the patients' family members:
Thank you so so much, I can't believe we got so lucky to meet such an amazing group of women. Your generosity and kindness is incredible and I hope we can meet again... seriously thank you for everything. Jenny has been a patient for the past 2 years and things like this make her feel important; she has struggled so much with that. I know she has felt so worthless at times and I just can't thank you enough for making my sister smile. I know she had an unforgettable night. I truly think God sent you to us today. You're an angel. God bless you. We love you. Forever, thank you thank you.
Dream Team
I am constantly asked how the Andr?a Rizzo Foundation has grown far and wide through the efforts of a completely volunteer staff. My answer is always the same, "Dr?a has sent us a "Dream Team" of angels!" Each month we will spotlight a different volunteer to show our appreciation. There are so many compassionate and dedicated volunteers and "angels" so I will randomly choose one to introduce to you each month. We hope you'll enjoy reading about each of these individuals as much as we love presenting them to you. Sincerely, Susan Rizzo-Vincent President
Dr?a's Dream Team - May Spotlight on Jennifer Whitley
In 2006, I received a call from a young dancer who was intrigued by the concept of dance therapy. She wanted to know about our work with children with cancer and special needs and she also wanted to know how she could help. After a quick phone conversation, Jennifer Whitley pulled together her many talented and generous friends to form a committee that would produce "heart&feet", a dance exhibition and cocktail reception for the first time in 2008. Jenn was a whirlwind of energy and ideas, developing this idea fully to produce four annual "heart&feet" events in notable venues throughout NYC, including EMI Records where she was employed at the time. She found sponsors and fostered a partnership for the Andr?a Rizzo Foundation with the Broadway Dance Center and many of their professional dancers. She also created our Holiday Lotto annual fundraiser and garners donated items for prizes.
Jenn is unstoppable and always coming up with ways to bring funds and attention to our cause. She played an integral role in teaching us about social media, consulting with those who could help with our "brand" and designing applications for website help.
In 2009, Jenn decided that she believed in the value of dance therapy so much that she too wanted to become a dance/movement therapist. After completing her graduate degree at Pratt Institute and becoming a licensed dance/movement therapist, there happened to be an open position for a second dance therapist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Unbeknownst to any of us, she had applied for and got the job! Needless to say, we were thrilled!
Still today, Jenn continues to volunteer her time on an almost daily basis, as she creates our monthly e-newsletter and keeps her hand on the pulse of all of our events and happenings. Thank you, Jenn! We couldn't do all that we do for kids with cancer and special needs without your help!
We've registered with AmazonSmile!!!!!
With eligible Amazon purchases, 5% of the purchase will be donated to the Andr?a Rizzo Foundation. Just use
this link when placing any order on Amazon and it will automatically donate 5% to us!!
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Lori Baudino, Psy.D., BC-DMT, continues to spread Dr?a's Dream throughout Mattel's Children's Hospital UCLA and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Read below to see how effective dance therapy can be in these fragile settings.
"I would like to share two specific instances from the past month. My vignettes below will provide you with a picture of how dance/movement therapy (DMT) supported two patients while they were in severe distress. The hospital staff had tried other interventions but nothing seemed to work.
Patient #1: Severe pain due to medical complications. Patient was raising arms and screaming, eyes shut, and fists pounding.
Patient #2: Screaming because the patient had been restrained as he had tried to remove a tube from his nose.
In both instances, I explained to the doctors, nurses and family that the use of mindfulness and relaxation allows the patient to be met in their place of distress. I echoed the patients' feelings, I allowed the patients to continue to scream, kick and use their hands - but - instead of pulling away or telling them to stop, I joined the movement. They moved with me and ultimately transitioned from upset to calm and even fell asleep.
By encouraging mindfulness of their body movements and accepting their physical state, they felt safe and were able to settle with me.
Patient #1: Together, we transformed her screaming tense body posture to an opening up (yawning mouth, aww sound) which she was then able to do independently on a consistent basis. She called it her "silent scream." I called it a "relaxing yawn."
Patient #2: The patient's mother reported that when I do the movement /alignment work, (Kestenberg/Laban - taking the weight of the patient's body and moving it to alignment and gently rocking) it always calms her son. She also uses this technique for herself and with him. She relayed to the neurologists and cardiologists that this is the only thing that has ever worked to calm her son."
We thank Dr. Lori Baudino for using dance/movement therapy in ways that help when nothing else can.
Lori Baudino Psy.D., BC-DMT
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The Andrea Rizzo Foundation
10 East Beach Road
Charlestown, RI 02813
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Join dancers across the country today and start planning your dance-a-thon, performance or any dance event of your choice - big or small - to raise money for
Dr?a's Dream programming nationwide. Email:
[email protected]. We'll help you plan.
Dance Across America participants receive a plaque for their dance school as well as individual tokens of appreciation for each dancer. Your school will be featured on our website, social media sites, and our monthly newsletter.
Already have an event scheduled? Don't forget to tag us in your pictures and videos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube using #dreasdream or #danceacrossamerica. We look forward to seeing your events on-line!
TAKE ACTION
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April Events
There is excitement in the air as we close out April with six successful Dance Across America Events and enter into May with four events scheduled.
April 8 - Warwick, RI - Harold F. Scott Elementary School - Dance therapist, Melissa Sabatini, organized this walk-a-thon for the foundation and we are so excited to have the support of these compassionate students.
April 17 - Newport, RI - SRU Dance at Salve Regina University - SRU Dance supported Dr?a's Dream with a fantastic benefit performance. We are SO thankful for their continued support. Every. Year.
April 18 - Bluffton, IN - Tiger Dance Company at Bluffton High School Dance performance benefited Dr?a's Dream directed by teacher, Amanda Burman - once again!!
April 19 - Astoria, NY - Astoria Dance Centre
We are so grateful to Astoria Dance Centre for their ongoing support and another successful event.
April 25 - Fairfield, CT - Connecticut Dance School (CDS) supported Dr?a's Dream with another successful event.
April 30 - Jefferson, MO - Dancer's Ally held National Dance Week Benefit Performance at Miller Performing Arts Center, including highlights such as special guest stars, Cameron MisFit Graham, Jessica Burgess, and the Missouri Contemporary Ballet.
Coming Up in May!!
May 3 - West Lafayette, IN -
High Ground Dance Company of Purdue University to hold a benefit performance.
May 15 - Matawan, NJ -
Arts in Motion Academy to hold their 6th Annual Benefit Perfromance at Buttonwood Manor, led by Kimberly Tam and Amy Boyle.
May 29 - Poughkeepsie, NY -
Dance Forever & Set Stage Production will be holding their recital, donating a portion of their proceeds to the foundation's work.
May 30 - Scituate, MA -
#danceacrossamerica
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We thank the Rhee Gold Company for continuing to support our efforts and spreading the word of Dr?a's Dream in their Dance Studio Life magazine and through DSL Dance Wire news on-line.
A portion of the proceeds from each Positive Dance Mom t-shirt goes to The Andr?a Rizzo Foundation. Click below to purchase.
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Talent on Parade, a Haysville, KS based competition circuit, has GRACIOUSLY offered their sponsorship once again with $8,000 for 2015. We are lucky to have their support.
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