The month of May traditionally marks the start of a season of remembrance and new beginnings – with Mother’s Day and Memorial Day as well as graduations, weddings and other celebrations filling our calendars.
On May 31, 2023 we gathered for our butterfly release. These Painted Lady butterflies signify strength, joy and hope. Thank you to all who have donated to honor or remember someone special in their lives and assist cancer patients in need.
Donor | |
---|---|
Jennifer Bradley | In Memory of Randy Meeker |
Robin Riedinger | In Memory of Jeff Hill |
Marcellis Barrios | – |
Robin Kapustein | In Memory of Iris Kapustein |
Robin Kapustein | In Memory of Elaine Benen |
Anna Gallardo | In Memory of Petronila Gallardo |
April Wilson | In Memory of Brandi Riber |
Julie Shelton | In Memory of Laura Emmett |
Kristie Teal | In Honor of FCS Foundation Team |
John Sodeika | In Honor of Dr. Mark Rubin and Dr. Judy Wang |
William Given | In Memory of Patti Rae Given |
Lynn Cowdright | In Memory of Howard and Marge Lee |
Bill Cowdright | In Memory of Peg and Bill Cowdright |
Linda Ryan | In Honor of Me Strong |
Rosemary Pfreundschuh | In Memory of Doris |
Marie Engel | In Honor of Lori |
Brian Garnant | In Memory of Olivia Krizman |
Michele Young | In Memory of Craig Young |
Dana Hernandez | In Memory of her Aunt |
Julie Kirby | In Memory of Wanda Minton |
Yamirka Rodtiguez | Donation |
Ana Colon | In Memory of Eric Yael Garcia |
Kelly Dean | In Honor of Katie Graves |
Delaney Meek | In Memory of Richard C. Meek Sr. |
Shannon Toreson | In Memory of Special Sister-in-Law, Stephanie |
Mary Margaret Barnhart | In Memory of Father Ken Barnhart |
Katherine Lazo | In Memory of Guy Samuelson |
Pedro Lopez Colon | In Memory of Abuela (Grandmother) Maria |
Kim Becker | In Memory of Patricia J. Becker |
Diane Chapka | In Memory of Halina Gnatuik |
Marjan Zaun | Donation |
Margaret Sapienza | In Memory of Stephanie Rodin |
Ellen Perry | In Memory of Lloyd "Andy" Anderson |
Bridget Kelly | In Memory of Alma Spurlin and Waren Spurlin with thanks to Dr. Chu and his team |
Lubia Carnet | Donation |
Michelle Reinhard | In Honor of June Hissong |
Jane Porter | In Memory of her mother, Rita Klugmann |
Amanda Tennison | In Honor of Carol Sommerville, her Mother |
Lacey Gebben | In Honor of herself |
Michelle Doney | In Memory of Bill and Laverne Whitney and Michelle Whitney Delbonifro |
Jennifer Merens Leake | In Honor of her amazing parents |
Lynn Rasys | In Memory of Mom and Memere |
Andrea Cirabisi | In Honor of Nancy Frate and Ruth Tomidy |
Ed Rasys | In Memory of Lillian, Carl and Peter Rasys |
Michael Wolf | In Memory of Kristin Wolf |
Melissa Miller | In Memory of Jen Rogers |
Janet Howard | In Memory of Jonathan Colin Howard |
Dwight Martin | In Memory of Normal M Roy |
Dwight Martin | In Honor of Dr. Elizabeth Gaincial & FCS Sarasota Personnel |
Diane Clark | Donation |
Marcelite Manuel-Miller | In Memory of Edlee S. Manuel Jr. |
Cathy Caulley | In Memory of Leo Cybulski Sr. |
Michael Caulley | In Memory of Leo Cybulski Jr. |
Olivia Juriga | In Memory of Lori Carter |
Melissa Miller | In Honor of Michael Botti |
Mildred Ortega Roldan | In Honor of Joel D Mulero |
Stacey Samuelson | In Memory of Guy R. Samuelson |
Kimberlyn Rossman | In Memory of Dene Shickel |
Karen Zega | In Memory of Gary "Papa" Zega |
Jenny Donahue | In Memory of Theresa J Oliver |
Monique Lamar | In Honor of the Queens of Omega Xi Delta Sorority Inc. |
Mary Phelan | In Memory of Katie Outlaw |
Ana Colon | In Memory of Izavette; Baby Wave and The twins |
Donna Malizia | In Memory of Mary Manzoni |
Margaret Coursen | In Honor of MaryEllen VanUiter, RN Oncology Nurse Extraordinaire |
Kelly Ellis | In Honor of all the cancer patients |
Marisa Berk | In Memory of Lil Routman |
Dwight and Patricia Martin | In Memory of Janice Martin |
Cheryl Dziura-Duke | In Memory of Jeannine Richards |
Deborah Petruzziello | In Memory of Mike Petruzziello |
Catherine Sweeney | In Memory of Donald J. Sweeney |
Tom and Tawnya Brannan | In Memory of Dr. Rennie M. Crane |
Anne Lenney | Donation |
Dr. Raul Storey | In Honor of Raul Storey Jr. |
Painted by Diego Velázquez in 1656,“Las Meninas” translates to Ladies in Waiting. Considered a masterpiece depicting life in the court of King Philip IV of Spain, the painting represents a turning point in art history for the way in which Velázquez broke from the stiff formal portraits that typically defined royal subjects.
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Inspired by the iconic painting “Las Meninas,” which translates to “Ladies in Waiting,” Spanish artist and sculptor Antonio Azzato created larger than life-size statues, fashioned in the shape of the Ladies in Waiting in the famous painting, that have been displayed in the streets of Madrid every fall since 2018. The statues are painted by various Spanish artists and celebrities and used to raise money for different charities. For the project with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS), smaller statues that are white, like a blank canvas, will be distributed to 12 designated FCS clinics. Together with local artists, patients will bring their Las Meninas vision to life, giving each statue its own unique theme and color palette.
Once complete, the Las Meninas sculptures will be on display in local communities, raising awareness of the extreme healing power of art in medicine. After a months-long tour of the state, each will be placed on auction. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation. The Foundation assists cancer patients in need in Florida with essential everyday living expenses.
Meet Antonio Azzato, the visionary behind the Las Meninas Sculpture Project. To continue the successful and positive spirit of the Las Meninas project in Madrid, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) and Healing Arts in Medicine are bringing Antonio Azzato’s vision to the United States for the first time.
Azzato was born and raised in Venezuela and has Italian and Spanish roots. He has raised more than 550K euros for different charitable foundations. His experience in the engineering, business, marketing, and interior design fields has given him the technical and artistic training to develop his Meninas Gallery project, which has positioned the silhouette of the Menina as the new icon of the city of Madrid, where he currently resides. Learn more about Antonio here.
Dine + Dive is a fine art, food and wine event igniting all of the senses to benefit the nation’s first Underwater Museum of Art! Guests will view several of the 2025 UMA sculptures before they head to their permanent underwater home, mingle with the artists, and sample delish food and more than 50 wines from around the world. Taking place April 30, 2025, at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach, FL.
Your generous donations make a real difference, and we’ve made it even easier to support our cause with our monthly recurring giving program. Consistent financial support allows us to plan better and provide uninterrupted assistance to those we serve. Your sustained commitment can help a vulnerable individual in the most crucial time of their life. Remember, even small donations can make a massive impact!
One touching way to show support is through giving in honor or memory of a loved one. If you’ve lost someone to cancer or want to honor someone currently engaged in their brave fight, a contribution in their name can be a powerful way to recognize their journey in a meaningful way. Your donations can represent personal messages of love, support, and resilience, and will directly help those currently navigating the ups and downs of their own cancer journeys.
You could double or triple your annual gift to Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation if you or your spouse works for or has retired from a company with a matching gift program. Complete a matching gift form from your human resources office and send it in with your gift.
There are many special events in life that give us reason to celebrate: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, a team win…or even reaching a long sought-after milestone. Instead of sending flowers or a gift, consider celebrating something or someone by making a donation to Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation! Your gift will help a cancer patient with household bills so they can concentrate on something really worth celebrating – getting better. What a powerful way to celebrate something, or someone, very important to you!
The Underwater Museum of Art is the first presentation of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA)’s Art In Public Spaces Program and was produced in collaboration with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA). The purpose of the UMA is to create art that becomes marine habitat, expanding fishery populations and providing enhanced creative, cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education and enjoyment of residents, students and visitors in South Walton.
Inspired by the iconic Las Meninas painting by Diego Velázquez, Spanish-based artist and sculptor Antonio Azzato has brought dozens of largen-than-life sculptures to the streets of Madrid since 2018, using them to raise money for various charities. Now, for the first time, he is partnering with the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation to submerge a special, one-of-a-kind Menina statue in the Underwater Museum of Art, located off the coast of Florida. This unique sculpture will foster new coral growth and marine life as part of a man-made reef. Just as the ocean symbolizes the resilience and renewal found in the cancer journey – turning pain into hope and struggle into new beginnings.