The Story
Paul Isenberg:
The Great Guy Dinner was the idea of my late wife, Nicole. During her illness,
she suggested we host a dinner to support local cancer organizations
and reconnect with friends. The idea was to invite all the “great
guys” we knew and support others who faced the same challenges.
In 1997, Nicole was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s disease while pregnant with our youngest daughter, Gabrielle. After our daughter was born Nicole attacked the illness with strength and grace, but the disease took its toll on her and on our family. The stress of juggling a family along with cancer seemed overwhelming. Our friends and family reached out to help whenever they could, but it became harder and harder to stay in touch. It was then that Nicole suggested hosting the event to bring everyone together. A friend from college, Tim Sherry, and I began to contact our friends who had supported Nicole and our family for what would become the Great Guy Dinner.
Around this time, while home with my kids one night, a young boy knocked on our door that I had never seen before. What he did took my breath away: he handed me an envelope filled with cash donations from friends. By this simple act of generosity, in our time of need, he delivered more than financial support; he had brought hope to our home when it was desperately needed. At that moment, the idea for the Dinner became something more: we could help bring hope home to families battling cancer.
Nicole’s brave fight against cancer ended in August 2003. The Great Guy Group is a tribute to her life and to the thousands of others who battle unceasingly against cancer.
This year’s Great Guy Dinner will serve as the launch for this greater
vision: The Great Guy Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering
financial assistance to families battling cancer as well as contributing
to the Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society. For these families, our
mission is to alleviate the stress this disease brings, be it by finding
a caretaker for their children, assisting with medical bills, or donating
money towards their groceries and other everyday expenses. At Hope Lodge,
families who are uprooted from their homes will find a loving and comfortable
shelter to allow the patient to seek treatment in beautiful surroundings
right on the grounds of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Along
with the Great Guy Group’s programs, all proceeds from this year’s
dinner will benefit The AstraZeneca Hope Lodge of the
American Cancer Society.
As always, the Great Guy Group will continue to be a force for good in our local community. Please join us in bringing hope home by supporting the Great Guy Group in 2008. Learn more by previewing our event for 2008, The 7th Annual Great Guy Dinner. We hope you join us.
In loving memory of a great gal, Nicole M. Isenberg
Great Guys Group
P.O. box 1093
Malvern, Pa 19355
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The Great Guy Group and Bringing Hope Home are servicemarks of the
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