Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue

Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue

SGRR was formed in 1986 by members of the local  Golden Retriever Club and other interested persons.  Services rendered by the group include providing medical  care, temperament evaluation, temporary foster homes,  transportation of Goldens, checking local animal shelters,  assisting in finding lost Goldens, placing Goldens in  qualified adoptive homes, and public relations. SGRR has  rescued and rehomed nearly 3000 Goldens since 1986 

Alliance for Childhood Cancer

The mission of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer is to provide a forum of national patient advocacy groups and medical and scientific organizations which meets regularly, shares ideas and concerns, and works collaboratively to advance research and policies to prevent cancer and improve public education, and the diagnosis, treatment, 

supportive care and survivorship of children and adolescents with cancer. The Alliance was responsible for passing the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill.  The Childhood Cancer STAR (Survivorship, Treatment,  Access to Care, Research) Act. The Alliance has Action  Days where they train advocates to speak to their elected officials with a unified Ask. 2023’s Ask is for the funding of the STAR Act ($30 million) and an increase in funding for the NIH and as a result the NCI. 

Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation  

The Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) was founded in 1988. In addition to providing funds to research a cure, the organization is the nation’s leader in quality-of-life programs for families impacted by brain and spinal cord  tumors. Her mom volunteers as their federal advocate. 

Commack High School Scholarship 

 A scholarship has been established at Commack High  School, in her name, and will be given out every June to a  student in the Resource Room for academic effort. When  Melissa was a senior she was stunned when she received a scholarship for academic effort. It meant so much to her since she never would have had a chance to receive one for academic achievement.