Click here for Part I & Part III

Improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families

Cheryl Colleluori is the CEO and president of the HEADstrong Foundation, a Pennsylvania not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to serving families impacted by and funding research into blood cancer. The HEADstrong Foundation is named for its founder, Cheryl’s son Nick “Head” Colleluori, who was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma shortly after enrolling in Hofstra University. A tough and talented lacrosse player, Nick symbolizes the character and mission of the foundation, which he created from his hospital bed while undergoing cancer treatment. Although Nick passed away in 2006, the organization has carried on his legacy by investing over $9 million in cancer research and family assistance.

EDWIN WARFIELD: Can you tell us about some of the milestones you’ve reached over your 10-year history?

CHERYL COLLELUORI: The milestones have really been tremendous. We had low expectations. I think our first milestone was when we achieved the $1 million mark annually. We are 100% publicly supported, so it’s hard work. but I think that was a tremendous milestone. And when we hit that mark—it took us five years—we brought on our first employee. For five years, everyone was a volunteer, and we still have a large abundance of volunteers to help us with our programs, services, and operations, and so forth, but I think that was a great milestone for us.

Another milestone would be the first Nick’s House. It has served us well. We actually have our 66th family with us right now, and we learned from the process—it was hands-on, learn-as-you-go—we realized that we were not handicapped accessible, and we realized that there are so many families coming into the city that we always find ourselves full. And so we really analyzed that, and we realized that it is something that we do so well—it’s our diamond if you will. To be able to be a resource when someone is told that there is no other option, that you need to get to Philadelphia for your child—you’re going to do whatever you need to do for your child. You’re leaving behind the comforts of home, you’re leaving behind your support system. And the HEADstrong foundation for those families become that extended family and that support system while they’re in the Philadelphia area. Our Nick’s House is complementary, so there is no charge to the families. They’re able to continue to make memories and to continue to be a family. That’s huge for us.

To embark on the second property has been very significant. We’re getting a lot of attention, and we are not necessarily looking for attention, but it certainly helps when it comes to fundraising. This facility and the property are just going to be, when we get ready to open, magnificent. We’ll have a huge celebration and we will be able to house seven families simultaneously. They’ll be able to be a source of comfort and resource to each other because they’re walking the similar walk—and until you walk this walk, it’s very hard to describe—so to be able to have that commonality will really be beneficial to the families.

The next milestone is to get in, to get it furnished to get it opened, and to begin welcoming families with open arms.

Q. What are your priorities for this year?

A. We have events throughout the year. Our upcoming event is our 7th annual Lime Light Gala, which is Friday, March 10th, at the Hilton Penn’s Landing. It’s that one time a year where we step off the athletic field and dress up fancy and put on our dancing shoes, and we just celebrate Nick’s life, we celebrate survivorship, we celebrate advancements in the field. It’s very personalized. Nick mattered greatly, and the feedback that we’ve gotten is we’re just not an average fundraising event—it’s very personal. We want people to connect and resonate with us and support our work. We’re excited that this is the 7th year, and it will be a sold-out crowd of about 500 people, and the fact that it’s such a privilege that we get that type of support.

We have a 5K in the fall. That has tripled. This will be the third year for it, and it continues to increase sponsorship and participation, which tells us that we’re doing something right. And then of course our fall events—we’re very involved with the Division I, II, and III Men's Lacrosse, and we’ll have six events throughout the country. Last year, we were privileged to have 40-some colleges—2,200 athletes. It’s a very unique situation that we’ve carved out for ourselves, and we’ve become a strong part of the men's season. The officials are trained at our events. The athletes are responsible for fundraising for us. It has just been an amazing ride through them be able to help families, and they can see their impact and know their impact, and they’re a very important part of the HEADstrong Foundation and what makes us function so well—makes us extremely special.

Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn

Sponsored by:

ABOUT NEWMARK GRUBB KNIGHT FRANK

Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF) is one of the world's leading commercial real estate advisory firms. Together with London-based partner Knight Frank and independently-owned offices, NGKF's 14,100 professionals operate from more than 400 offices in established and emerging property markets on six continents.

With roots dating back to 1929, NGKF's strong foundation makes it one of the most trusted names in commercial real estate. NGKF's full-service platform comprises BGC's real estate services segment, offering commercial real estate tenants, landlords, investors and developers a wide range of services including leasing; capital markets services, including investment sales, debt placement, appraisal, and valuation services; commercial mortgage brokerage services; as well as corporate advisory services, consulting, project and development management, and property and corporate facilities management services. For further information, visit www.ngkf.com.

NGKF is a part of BGC Partners, Inc., a leading global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets. BGC's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol (NASDAQ: BGCP). BGC also has an outstanding bond issuance of Senior Notes due June 15, 2042, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol (NYSE: BGCA). BGC Partners is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer  Howard W. Lutnick. For more information, please visit http://www.bgcpartners.com/.

Edwin Warfield, CEO of citybizlist, conducts the CEO Interviews.

If you're interested in reaching CEOs, please contact edwin.warfield@citybuzz.co

Connect on LinkedIn