Running for a Cause

 

 

No matter how strong one person or an entire family is I know that strength is always tested. Cancer has put my family to the test more times than I will ever understand and beaten us more times than anything else. My mom is an only child and my dad has only one sister so our immediate family has always been small and close. Since I was 12 we have lost the battle to cancer four times, and are currently on our fifth battle for a woman who has already sacrificed too much. My aunt has lost both of her parents, her husband, and her first born son to this disease and now continues to fight her own battle.

As a small family, we have constantly pulled together and done what is necessary to stay strong, but I have often felt helpless or that I am not doing enough. So now, I am going to do the one thing I know feels right, I am going to run. I will be running in the NYC Marathon (my very first marathon) this November for the American Cancer Society DetermiNation® Team. Running makes me feel like anything is possible, and I know the more I run, and the more money I raise the more we will find ways to treat, prevent, and cure this disgusting disease. My goal is for Auntie and I both to cross our finish lines of this 20 year journey with our arms raised high in victory. We will win this time! And we will finally shout that one word we all, especially my aunt, deserves to hear - Remission.

You can support my efforts by visiting my personal page  and making a donation of whatever amount you can. Your donation will help the American Cancer Society save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/DetermiNation/DNFY11National?px=36633955&pg=personal&fr_id=62209

Thank you for all your support!

Lifting With Grace

Our very own Maggie Karl (Manager of Contract Manufacture) will be participating in a great cause for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Read her thoughts below on this unique charitable event! 

When I was a sophomore in college my parents called one night with some pretty bad news.  My Mom had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and was starting radiation treatment immediately.  Luckily, it was caught very early, and she is now a 10 year SURVIVOR in this fight.  So this year, rather than walk in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I decided to do something that pretty much completely horrifies her, in her honor.  I’ll be participating in a Barbells for Boobs fundraiser at my Crossfit gym (Crossfit South Shore LI) this Saturday, October 19^th.
 

Barbells for Boobs’ mission statement is to provide funding for qualified low income and uninsured women and men who need screening and/or diagnostic procedures in the prevention of Breast Cancer.  Every $80 that is raised provides a screening for someone who could otherwise not afford it.  My personal goal was to provide this screening for 5 people, and I was able to reach that goal this past weekend!  The workout most gyms will be doing is called “Grace”, which is 30 Clean and Jerks for time,(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_and_jerk ) with a weight of 135lbs for men and 95lbs for women.  However, my sadistic and wonderful trainer has confirmed that he’s cooking up something special for us, and we’ll have to show up to find out what’s in store. 

 

If you’re around and interested in watching, come by any time after 9am, it’s right around the corner from the Corporate Office.  Oh, and if you’re interested in donating to this cause, my team is only about half way to their goal at the moment, though we are ranked 42^nd of 813 participating gyms, which isn’t too shabby (please see below)! After I peel myself and my poor mother off the ground (me from exhaustion, her from having to watch me do this to myself) I’ll post pictures and an update.  Is anyone else fundraising this month?  Let’s hear about it!

 http://fundraise.barbellsforboobs.org/fundraise?fcid=260271

Bandages n' Brackets: DUKAL's thoughts on March Madness

There are a lot of reasons to love the month of March. (The vernal equinox or the ushering in of a much needed change in weather comes to mind)  Spring training comes to a close and opening day (GO METS!) is right around the corner.  The NFL draft conversation and trades begin to pick up steam.  But these event pale in comparison to one of the most heavily watched spectacles in sports, March Madness.

March Madness is one of the biggest sporting events on the sports calendar.  From March 21^st to finals on April 6^th, college diehards and casual fans plan evenings and lunch breaks around games throughout day.  Everyone loves an underdog, and anything can happen in any given game.  But the underdogs shine brightest during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.  Records are wiped clean at the tipoff of every game.  Sure, the Duke’s and Syracuse’s are favored, but the Florida Gulf State’s and Butler College’s are on equal ground with the powerhouses of college sports. 

It also brings camaraderie amongst friends and co-workers.  Everyone’s got a pick to go deep into the tournament.  Whether you pick winners based on whose mascot looks cooler, use a secret statistical formula, or ride your alma mater all the way through the tournament, one’s picking is a big part of why March Madness grows in popularity from year to year.  It makes for good conversation while the coffee brew in the morning, or friendly banter over lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Who are we picking? 

Rich DeJoseph , Northeast Account Executive - “Now that my initial pick of Gonzaga was struck down by the unexpected Witchita State Shockers, I’d bet the farm on Kansas riding their record through the final four over Duke in the championship.”

Travis Torre, Director of Logistics – “Everyone loves Cinderella stories.  I think that’s one of the big reasons why the television ratings are at an all time high for the tournament.  Teams like LaSalle and FGSU (Florida Gulf State University) have gone out and usually dominant teams.  I have a lot of family that have graduated from Florida, so I’m picking them to win tonight against FGSU, and to win the whole tournament, beating Louisville in the Championship game.”

Eryn Marx, Marketing Assistant - Duke

Matt DiClemente, Project Coordinator – Kansas

Suzanne Carlino, Graphics Manager – FGCU

Connor Farrell, Project Coordinator - Michigan

Who do you think will win it all?!?  Tell us who you think will win and why in our comments section below, Facebook, and Twitter!!

An exciting acquisition for DUKAL Corporation

Written By: Stephen Stack (Senior Graphic Artist)

Earlier today DUKAL Corporation announced another milestone! See below for more details on this exciting news! What a great day to work at DUKAL!

DATE: February 29th, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DUKAL CORPORATION TO ACQUIRE CERTAIN ASSETS OF DONOVAN INDUSTRIES

RONKONKOMA, NY, February 29th -- DUKAL Corporation (www.dukal.com) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of Tampa, FL-based Donovan Industries Inc. (www.donovanindustries.com). Both are privately-held companies.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

DUKAL President Gerry LoDuca commented, "This transaction will expand our existing product line and customer base, is well-aligned with our aggressive growth strategies and supports our objective to be a preferred provider of high quality products used in healthcare. We are looking forward to utilizing this acquisition to strengthen our existing business and expand our global reach into the primary and long-term care markets."

Jim Donovan, president of Donovan Industries said he was pleased to link his company to DUKAL. “I am very confident that our customers and the industry in general, will be well served by this acquisition."

ABOUT DUKAL

Since 1991, DUKAL Corporation has been a privately held supplier of disposable medical products based in Ronkonkoma, NY. The company produces its products through strategic manufacturing partnerships with a focus on high quality and is dedicated to providing best in class products and supply chain solutions to its customers. DUKAL products are used every day by healthcare professionals in Acute Care, Primary Care, Long-Term Care, Dental and Veterinary settings, and can be found in Consumer, Industrial and Safety outlets throughout North America and Europe. Additional information may be found at www.dukal.com.

ABOUT DONOVAN

Since 1979, Donovan Industries is a recognized name as a quality provider of healthcare products. Family-owned and operated, Donovan Industries is a supplier of Skin Care, Baby Care, Oral and Shaving Care and many other products. Donovan Industries offers an extensive line of products that meets the needs of the Acute Care and Alternate Care markets under the names of DawnMist and Redi + Wash. Additional information may be found at www.donovanindustries.com.

CONTACT:

Rick Kinsella CFO, DUKAL Corporation

631-656-3800

RKinsella@DUKAL.com