Heroes Ball
Advancing Hope & Support
One Yard at at Time!
Friday, Oct. 9, 2026
5:30-9:30pm /Hyatt Downtown Rochester
THANK YOU
to everyone for making Heroes Ball 2026 a memorable night!
HONOREES
JACOB GITELMAN AWARD
SAJEENA GEEVARGHESE, MD - video
Medical Director, Gynecologic Oncology
Rochester Regional Health System
Presented for outstanding, meritorious service by a
medical professional working with oncology patients.
HERO AWARD
JOHN MARIANO, MD - video
Pediatric & Adolescent Oncology
URMC/Wilmot Cancer Center
Presented for meritorious, outstanding or heroic distinctive
personal involvement in the cancer arena by a local individual.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
ROCHESTER AMERICANS - video
Jody Gage accepted the honor on behalf of the organization.
The recognizes exceptional leadership and/or philanthropy through a
commitment to health and wellness in the cancer-community.
CHRISTIE SIMONETTI AWARD
RICHARD DIMARZO - video
Founder, Judy's Fund
Presented to individual(s) in recognition of their
inspiring, caring and concerned spirit shown to others.
RICHARD MCGLYNN AWARD
JOHN SALTER - video
Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club
Immediate Past Board Chair
Presented to an individual who through their leadership, inspiration or
own survivorship have worked on behalf of people with cancer.
GUEST SPEAKER:
THURMAN THOMAS
Pro Football Hall of Famer
Former Buffalo Bills Running Back
Thurman will share how cancer has impacted his life. He is a strong advocate for cancer awareness and early detection and helps promote importance of prostate cancer screening. Cancer has impacted his life through the loss of his mother to breast cancer, as well as, supporting former teammate, Jim Kelly, during his cancer battle. There will certainly be some football stories shared, too!
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Event Co-Chairs:
Colleen Parsons, Liberty Mutual
Rob Poltrino, Skull Diamond & Heart Capital
Heroes Ball is our largest fundraiser and held annually to honor and recognize our local "heroes," our champions against cancer. It's a fun evening celebrating community heroes for their selfless acts of compassion and generosity in helping to enrich the lives of all who are facing a cancer journey. All funds raised from the Heroes Ball (as with all our events and fundraising) stay local helping us provide a supportive network of programs and resources including educational, social, emotional, and mental health programs - all free of charge.
2026 EVENT CO-CHAIRS
Colleen Parsons, Liberty Mutual
Rob Poltrino, Skull Diamond and Heart Capital
2026 HONOREES
HERO AWARD
JOHN MARIANO, MD
Pediatric & Adolescent Oncology
URMC/Wilmot Cancer Center
Presented for meritorious, outstanding or heroic distinctive
personal involvement in the cancer arena by a local individual.
JACOB GITELMAN AWARD
SAJEENA GEEVARGHESE, MD
Medical Director, Gynecologic Oncology
Rochester Regional Health System
Presented for outstanding, meritorious service by a
medical professional working with oncology patients.
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
ROCHESTER AMERICANS
The recognizes exceptional leadership and/or philanthropy through a
commitment to health and wellness in the cancer-community.
CHRISTIE SIMONETTI AWARD
RICHARD DIMARZO
Founder, Judy's Fund
Presented to individual(s) in recognition of their
inspiring, caring and concerned spirit shown to others.
RICHARD MCGLYNN AWARD
JOHN SALTER
Cancer Support Community at Gilda's Club
Immediate Past Board Chair
Presented to an individual who through their leadership, inspiration or
own survivorship have worked on behalf of people with cancer
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
Aurelian Law
Eisai
Harris Beach Murtha
Spark Labor Law
LeFrois Builders & Developers
RJ Taylor General Contractors
Stern Properties
2026 SPONSORSHIPS
Make an impact with us as an event sponsor. Download our Sponsorship Packet
and return completed form to Mary Ellen Smith at mesmith@cscrochester.org.
Any questions on sponsorships contact Mary Ellen Smith at 585-423-9700 x303.