Stories of Community Archive

Don Booker, Hilary Rectenwald, Mark Evelsizer

Swinging for a Cause: TRC’s Annual Golf Outing Supports UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

In 2020, when Tom Rectenwald Construction, Inc (TRC) decided to host their first charity golf outing, there was no question that they wanted to make UPMC Hillman Cancer Center the beneficiary.

Four people - 3 women and 1 man - stand together smiling in the middle of the University of Pittsburgh’s basketball court during halftime. They hold a large white check (about 2x4 feet) with a donation amount on it. Two young girls from the Pitt dance team stand on either side of the group, wearing pink shirts and black leggings, smiling and holding blue and gold pompoms. There is a crowd of spectators for the basketball game sitting in the stands in the background. A yellow banner hangs above them with “The Zoo” and “PANTHERS” written in dark blue letters.

Pitt Students Support UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

Pittsburgh Attacks Cancer Together (PACT), a student-run organization at the University of Pittsburgh, is dedicated to strengthening the daily fight against cancer. Since 2015, PACT has been actively partnering with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

The group of Penn-Trafford students around a pile of tote bags they packed for the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center patients.

Penn Trafford Teacher Remembered for G.R.I.T.

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

Penn-Trafford Middle School teachers created Landram’s Light in remembrance of their colleague and cancer patient, Jackie Landram.

Mekenna Gavin, wearing a grey t-shirt with a white ribbon decal and the words “Cancer Awareness Night, Remembering Michael Gavin,” and her long blonde hair tied in a ponytail with white ribbons, looks away from the camera to observe the Gannon gymnasium court where she organized a volleyball game to honor her late father, Michael Gavin.

Daughter Organizes “Never Quit” In Honor Of Her Father

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

Makenna Gavin honors her father, Michael, with a Gray Out fundraiser in his memory at a Gannon volleyball game.

Close-up of Kay Boyd Rowe and her husband, Robin. Both are grinning as they stand side by side for a selfie-styled photo on a sunny day. In the background, it looks like they are at an ocean or lake as there is a glimpse of water in the background. Kay, looking to be in her 50s-60s, is on the left of the frame with short, spikey brown hair and bangs. She is wearing rectangular wire-framed black prescription glasses, a red floral v-neck shirt, and a copper-colored necklace comprised of circular flat beads around her neck. Robin, on the right of the frame, also looks to be in his 50s-60s with white-gray stubble on his face and neck. He is wearing a worn dark blue ballcap, rectangular transitional prescription glasses, and a red Nike polo shirt.

Parking with Purpose: Kay Day

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

Kay Boyd Rowe was generous with her time and talent, never missing an opportunity to lend a hand to another and living by the motto “Love First.” After her passing in May 2023, her husband Robin, along with many friends and family, wanted to honor her legacy by helping other UPMC Hillman patients.

Dr. Leonard Appleman wraps his left arm around, Gail Tucci, as they stand side-by-side on a golf course. There is part of a golf cart in the distance on the left and a man in a powder blue polo walking away on the right. It is a partly cloudy day as everyone stands on vibrant green golf turf lined with full-leafed dark green deciduous and coniferous trees in the far background. Dr. Appleman wears 1950s black browline-styled glasses, a white golf polo, khaki shorts, and bright royal blue and orange tennis shoes with white high socks. He holds a golf club in his right hand, aimed toward the green. Gail is on Dr. Appleman’s left side, with shoulder-length brown hair that is gently curled. She wears a lavender t-shirt with a white decal on the upper left quadrant of the shirt, light blue skinny jeans with distressed details on the front, and strappy slip-on sandals. Both Dr. Appleman and Gail are smiling widely at the camera.

Fight Fore Cancer Event Benefits Prostate Cancer Research

By: Shannon Kroskie Smith

Rick and Gail Tucci turned their life’s work into an annual golf event to benefit prostate cancer research.

Stories of Community

Swinging for a Cause: TRC’s Annual Golf Outing Supports UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Pitt Students Support UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Penn Trafford Teacher Remembered for G.R.I.T.

Daughter Organizes “Never Quit” In Honor Of Her Father

Parking with Purpose: Kay Day

Fight Fore Cancer Event Benefits Prostate Cancer Research

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