Every year, guests gather at the annual Sip Away Sarcoma event to sip lemon-drop martinis, sample delectable hors d’oeuvres and take a chance on raffles for exciting prizes. Together they celebrate the life of Rick Vivacqua and raise funds to fight the disease he battled so hard.
When Rick was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2003, he and his family were relieved to have Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center so close to home: It’s one of only four centers in New York State offering specialized care for sarcoma patients.
Rick lived with sarcoma for another 12 years, undergoing multiple surgeries and participating in a number of clinical trials. Inspired by her father’s battle and in recognition of Sarcoma Awareness Month, in July 2015 his daughter, Cate, hosted her first Team Roswell fundraising event to benefit Roswell Park. She called the happy-hour celebration Sip Away Sarcoma. Rick was able to attend and was overwhelmed by the love of so many people he cared about.
Five months later, he lost his long battle with the disease. “My dad was such an amazing guy. We were so lucky to have him,” says Cate. “And sarcoma is so rare that we were lucky to have him for 12 years after his diagnosis.”
Along with her mother, Mary Kate, and her brother, Daniel, Cate wanted to continue celebrating Rick’s life while financially supporting sarcoma research and patients. The family established The Richard J. Vivacqua Endowed Fund for Sarcoma Research “to help the families who are going through what we went through,” explains Mary Kate.
“It seemed the most logical option,” Cate adds. “It was one way we could have my dad’s life legacy live on and help Roswell Park, which helped us so much.” To date, proceeds from Sip Away Sarcoma, combined with other donations, have raised more than $100,000 to build the Richard J Vivacqua Endowed Fund.
If you’re thinking about hosting a Team Roswell event like Sip Away Sarcoma, Cate wants you to know that the money you raise will help patients and their families by supporting groundbreaking cancer research and patient-care programs at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
This year the fourth annual Sip Away Sarcoma event will be held Thursday, July 26, from 6-9 p.m. at Acqua Restaurant. Visit www.sipawaysarcoma.com for ticket information and other details.