User:Splatkid/The Seany Foundation

History
A 501c3 nonprofit organization incorporated in 2005, The Seany Foundation was originally the idea of Sean Lewis Robins, who died in November 2006 after his battle with Ewing's sarcoma. After Sean's passing, his parents Mitch and Amy Robins officially co-founded The Seany Foundation in his honor. Since 2006, The Seany Foundation has raised nearly $400,000 for pediatric cancer research and its comfort and care projects.

Mission
The Seany Foundation is a charity founded to carry on Sean Lewis Robins’ legacy of battling Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) and to help find cures for pediatric cancers. The Foundation works to advance childhood cancer research, improve the quality of life for children currently battling cancer, and spread awareness of such cancers through Sean's story.

Sean Lewis Robins
Sean Lewis Robins was born in Detroit, MI, on December 27, 1983, to his parents, Amy and Mitchell. Sean- known to his family and friends as "Seany"- was the middle child of 3. At age 7, Sean moved with his family to San Diego.

Sean attended Francis Parker for both middle and high school. A natural athlete, he played on the Varisty baseball team his freshman year. He played 2nd base until the middle of his sophomore year when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma (a rare bone cancer). Sean fought valiantly and went into remission his senior year of high school. At this time, Sean discovered a new passion: acting. When Sean was 18 years old, he starred as Daddy Warbucks opposite Arianna Asfar as Annie in J*Company's 2002 production of Annie.

Sean's family considers him their personal hero. In 2002, Sean graduated with his class despite a year filled with chemotherapy, radiation, and all the difficulties associated with childhood cancer. Sean was also accepted into the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University in Chicago. Sean enrolled in classes twice but, due to his health, was never able to attend.

After being diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma at 16, Seany fought for his life for the next seven years. Although the statistics for his prognosis were bleak, he never lost his will to live or the belief that he would survive. He maintained a positive outlook, went on with his life, and became a guide and leader to other teens fighting cancer. Sean endured countless treatments and procedures, many of which had never before been used by someone with Ewing's. With his seemingly endless optimism, Sean believed each experimental treatment or procedure would be “the one.” This often led him to recite phrases such as “When nothing is certain, everything is possible", which is now the foundation's official slogan for its annual Celebration gala.

To many, Sean seemed a wise individual long before and during his cancer. He had an affinity for proverbial literary quotes from some of the greatest minds of the human age. His favorite was the American intellectual Ralph Waldo Emerson. True to his rich character, Sean deeply believed Emerson’s quote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”

Sean Lewis Robins was a pioneer who fought for his own life until his final hour in hopes of inspiring an image of strength for all humans who suffer through cancer. In his notebook, he wrote down this quote by Kahlil Gibran: “Birth and Death are the two noblest expressions of bravery.” The Seany Foundation works to carry on his legacy.

Staff and Volunteers

 * Mitchell J. Robins - Chief Executive Officer (2005–present)
 * Amy G. Robins - Chief Administrative Officer (2005–present)
 * Emily D. Robins - Art Director (2005–present)
 * Mari M. Pullen - Director of Special Events (2008–present)
 * Tara T. Ricasa - Director of Development (2008–present)
 * Natasha R. Mationg - Community Relations Manager (2009–present)
 * Nicole L. Pierce - Community Relations Representative (2009–present)
 * Sandra Uribe - Marketing Director (2009–present)

Board of Directors

 * Mitchell J. Robins, CPA- CEO, The Seany Foundation; Founder, Robins and Associates CPAs


 * Amy G. Robins- CAO, The Seany Foundation


 * Daniel A. Green, MD- Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Department of Orthopedics, Division of Spine Surgery


 * Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD- Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, UCSD School of Medicine


 * John R. Holland- Principal, CustomerCentric Selling


 * Harlan L. Lansky- President, Seany Records


 * William C. Siegel, PE- President and CEO, Kleinfelder Group


 * Bill Strauss- CEO, Proflowers.com


 * Jeffrey Strauss- Owner and Operator, Pamplemousse Grille


 * A. Kipp Williams, Esq.- Principal, Blanchard, Krasner & French

Research
The Seany Foundation donates 50% of funds raised to pediatric cancer research, with an emphasis on the investigation of sarcomas.

Sean Lewis Robins Research Fund at UCSD Moores Cancer Center
The "Sean Lewis Robins Endowed Research Fund for Pediatric Sarcoma" is currently in place at Moores. $20,000 in seed money was awarded to Michael G. Rosenfield, MD, for his project entitled, "Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Ewing's Sarcoma: Roles of Novel Non Coding RNAs".

Sean Lewis Robins Fellowship at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego
The Seany Foundation and Rady Children's Hospital San Diego are currently discussing the details of a fellowship to be given in Sean's name.

Community Projects
The other 50% of funds raised goes to special projects created to help improve the quality of life for current childhood cancer patients.

Sean Lewis Robins Teen Activity Room
Scheduled to open in 2010 in the new oncology wing of Rady Children's Hospital, the Sean Lewis Robins Teen Activity Room will be the first of its kind in San Diego County. When Sean was under treatment, there was no recreational room specifically designed for teenagers under treatment in the oncology wing. The new facility will come fully equipped with flat-screen tvs, a Wii, and crafts that will offer the teens a refuge where they can socialize with their peers.

Seany Lew Rehabilitation Swimming Pool
Currently in talks, The Seany Foundation and RCHSD, plan to renovate the patient rehabilitation swimming pool in the current oncology wing. After Sean's brain surgery, there was no swimming facility available at the hospital to help with physical therapy. The pool, originally built for use with polio patients, sprang a leak in the early 90's and has been in disuse ever since.

Events
June 6, 2009: Casino games, raffle, and BBQ raised money donated to The Seany Foundation by the Harley-Davidson San Marcos Chapter.
 * Casino Night, hosted by Biggs San Marcos

June 18-21, 2009 The Seany Foundation proudly partnered with Starlight Theatre to provide over 100 tickets to patients and their families from Rady Children's Hospital to come see a closing performance of High School Musical.
 * Seany Nights at Starlight

July 14, 2009: Tickets $35. Ultra Star Del Mar Highland. Admission includes screening, complimentary concessions, free tshirt, and a chance to enter the costume contest to win cool prizes. Proceeds benefit The Seany Foundation
 * Seany Summer Blockbuster Screening

July 18, 2009: Hotel Solamar, San Diego. Buy-in $50, Re-buy $25, Casino games only $25. Includes complimentary food; Beverages available for purchase. Register online at Seany Poker Tournament
 * Seany Lew Charity Poker Tournament

October 11, 2009: Hall of Champions, San Diego. Gala will feature silent and live auction, raffle, live music, and catering by Jeffrey Strauss.
 * Everything is Possible Celebration 2009

Proud Partners/Affiliates

 * Starlight Theatre
 * Team Sarcoma