For those who did not know Cleo, she was one of the brightest lights in our Club’s community and most importantly a friend to many of us. Cleo began her skating journey at the Boston Common Frog Pond with her mom.

That journey led to 1240 Soldiers Field Road where Cleo volunteered in The Skating Academy; became a Junior Activities Committee member and eventually a Co-Chair; performed in Ice Chips and the JAC Holiday Pageant; and always with a big, bright smile; dressed in her favorite color, yellow. She had the best smile and loved to laugh. Cleo was a JAC Co-Chair the last time the Club supported Scott to raise money for the CARES Foundation. She helped run the CARES event, show and Skate-A-Thon that year in 2017.

Cleo was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in April 2019. Several of us were away at an international Theatre On Ice competition in France at the time. None of us in France or at home knew of her diagnosis, as she was going to share the news with us as soon as the team returned and everyone could be together. And then, without us knowing what was going on in her life, Cleo died. She abruptly passed away within a week of her diagnosis. Those of us who knew her were devastated as was the rest of the Club community.

Once again, the Club has planned an all-day event on December 4th with the goal of supporting the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Dedham Savings Frozen 5K is being held in Cleo's memory. Plus, there will be a silent auction and raffle that evening along with the show, "A Night of Stars". We all hope to perform a group number together in Cleo's memory too.

The money earmarked for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (25% of all proceeds) will be going towards its all-new Center for Adolescent and Youth Adult Oncology (CAYAO). CAYAO is an incredibly important space for teens being treated for cancer. CAYAO is a space created and designed specifically for teens. When Cleo first passed away, her school and Club friends came together to raise more than $30,000, which became the seed money to launch CAYAO. A plaque with Cleo's name will be in the center.

We want to do more to support CAYAO as it is already a significant resource for Dana-Farber. We learned last week from the doctor who treated Cleo that she is seeing 50-60 young teen patients a day. 50-60 teens with cancer. Every day.

That's why we all want to do what we can to raise as much money as we can to help support this teen center that is going to be there for teens just like ourselves going through treatment and the challenges that come with living and dealing with cancer. Help us help them. As Scott says, "Together, we can turn cancer upside down!"

Please join us and thank you!
The members of the Junior Activities Committee (JAC)