FOT Donates $25K to Children's Cancer Research

FORSYTH COUNTY – Friends new and old came together to support children's cancer awareness and research at the Lodge at Windermere, Cumming in May to raise funds for Friends of Tony (FOT). Friends of Tony, a local charity founded in 2007 by Tony Tristani and his friends, mission is to raise awareness, fund research and help to find a cure for cancer's littlest victims – children.

This year's event spanned two days with a dinner event on Friday evening and tennis social on Saturday morning. The sold out crowd of over 140 enjoyed dinner on Friday evening and danced the night away to live music was provided courtesy of Double Clutch and the Downshifters, a local southern rock band. A cake auction of 12 succulent cakes raised thousands with the comedic bantering of auctioneers, Jay Foxworthy and Smith Peck One lucky bidder found a diamond necklace donated by Lance's Jewelry valued at $1,000 hidden in their cake.

Dinner was provided by Upper Crust Catering and the cakes were made by Petals Bakery.  Ingrid Burnell organized over 2 dozen teenagers to wait tables and take care of the crowd.  To see these wonderful kids working for something bigger than themselves was amazing!

"The community turn out and support was spectacular.” said Brian Richey, CEO of Friends of Tony. "Neighbors, local stores, everyone was so generous. Windermere's facilities were wonderful.”

Lance's Jewelry also donated $25 gift cards for the tennis social held on Saturday morning in which 40 tennis players at all levels played a friendly round robin. In addition to the dinner event and tennis social, FOT holds an annual online auction where anyone can bid on vacation rentals and other great getaways donated by friends and private individuals.

Tristani, who is battling colon cancer and has undergone 59 chemo treatments to date, was surprised by a special presentation by his employer, TIBCO Software at their annual employee appreciation banquet.

"Companies like TIBCO understand that giving back helps not just the community but makes employees proud to be part of such an organization.” said Tristani

On June 29^th, FOT presented a check to Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta for $25,000. As one of the leading pediatriccancer, hematology, and blood and marrow transplant(BMT) programs in the country, the Aflac Cancer Center provides advanced diagnostic and clinical care, as well as innovative treatment and research options to children, adolescents and young adults. For every child and family they see, the Aflac Cancer Center provides a unique course of treatment—both clinically and emotionally. Aflac strives to help children and their families through their often difficult journey of treatment. To date, FOT has donated over $50,0000 to this organization.

Dr. Howard Katzenstein with Childrens HealthCare of Atlanta and a guest speaker at the Friday night dinner. Dr Katzenstein heads up the pediatric oncology research group and clinical studies at AFLAC.

Full information regarding Friends of Tony is available on the organization's website at http://www.friendsoftony.org/.