Many hands joined to make 1Voice
By Gary S. Hatrick
It has been said so often
that it almost seems trite that
when you hear the words “yo
you have cancer” that it is a staggering
gering because
blow, but just because it is often heard, that doesn’t
mean that it is not still true
As staggering as those w
words may be, however, these
When those words come
When those words come, a parent’s world comes apart.
They would do anything, but what do they do? Where do
they go?
1Voice Foundation was founded for just such a time and
Mary Ann Massolio, the executive director of the foundation
organization as it seeks to comfort and assist children with
cancer and their parents as well as help to seek the prevention
of pediatric cancer. The foundation has four arms and aims.
One is the nitty-gritty, down-in-the-trenches work with
families.
“The 1Voice Foundation provides programs and services
1Voice Foundation has four arms and aims.
for pediatric cancer families in Tampa Bay,” Massolio said.
members of the families including parents, grandparents and
siblings.”
Massolio and other 1Voice members are often there when
parents are informed that their child has cancer. They are
there to comfort, as much as one may be comforted, support,
and have a clear head, suggesting helpful programs and resources
to parents whose heads and hearts are spinning out
-
selves on long overnight stays in places away from home and
are dealing with the same issues and emotions.
“We serve all the hospitals,” Massolio said. “If a child is
diagnosed with cancer in any hospital, the family is eligible
for our services. We serve seven counties in west Central Flor-
Sarasota, Manatee Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando
and Hardee. We go as far out as Lakeland.”
A second arm of 1Voice is research.
“We also fund and operate the only pediatric cancer re-
cancer research,” Massolio continued. “Dr. Cameron Tebbi,
M.D. is working on developing the vaccine for leukemia.
Our research efforts and funding is for prevention - not the
cure. We all want a cure of course, but we are trying to prevent
leukemia. He has made incredible strides.
“This is a local charity, we serve local children. The money that is
raised here stays here,” assured Massolio.
24 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 813.682.9364 FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE