header-left
File #: 200268    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 3/12/2020 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 3/12/2020
Title: Recognizing Bringing Hope Home for providing years of emotional and financial support to local families with cancer.
Sponsors: Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Squilla
Attachments: 1. Signature20026800

Title

Recognizing Bringing Hope Home for providing years of emotional and financial support to local families with cancer.

Body

WHEREAS, While nine months pregnant, and only 32 years old, Nicole Isenberg was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Not only did Paul and Nicole Isenberg need to make sure she was getting the best treatment possible, they also had to find a way to pay for the treatment and keep up with other financial obligations and household responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, This life-changing event inspired Nicole and Paul to put on a benefit dinner to thank friends and family for their support and to help other families that are less fortunate. The first “Great Guys Dinner” took place in 2001 and raised $13,000 that was donated to the American Cancer Society. The Great Guys Dinner continues to be Bringing Hope Home’s largest event and raised over $320,000 in 2016 alone; and

WHEREAS, Nicole endured six years of intense chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants. Her fight ended in 2003 at the young age of 39, but her legacy lives on through the special work that Bringing Hope Home does in her honor; and

WHEREAS, Through his own family’s journey, Paul recognized an unmet need in the community: financial help and emotional support for families with cancer. Paul and his co-founder, Tim Sherry, decided to begin what is now known as Bringing Hope Home to address this crucial need; and

WHEREAS, Bringing Hope Home was created in 2008 as a non-profit organization that provides “Unexpected Amazingness” to local families with cancer. Through their Light of Hope Family Grant, they offer a one-time grant to pay critical household bills for families with cancer. Since BHH’s inception, they have supported over 6,000 local families with over $7 million dollars in assistance; and

WHEREAS, Bringing Hope Home has also established successful programs such as the Adopt-A-Family (AAF) Program that pairs supporters with families that are struggling due to a cancer diagnosis and are in need over the holidays. Another successful program is the Students Bringing Hope Program where BHH offers a service-learning opportunity for students can help to bring hope home to families with cancer by raising awareness and funds; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Recognizes Bringing Hope Home for providing years of emotional and financial support to local families with cancer.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Paul Isenberg, CEO of Bringing Hope Home, as evidence of the respect and admiration of the Council.

End