Cathy's Story
My name is Cathy Gabrielsen and I am the proud Founder/President of Cuddle My Kids. The idea for Cuddle My Kids evolved as I laid on the floor trying to play with my 3 and 1 year old boys, exhausted and in excruciating pain from my breast cancer treatment. I desperately needed to rest but knew caring for my young children was my primary concern. At that moment, I vowed to myself that I would do whatever I could to help other families with cancer balance their recovery with nurturing their young children. I believe that life experiences happen for a reason, but more importantly, that it is our reaction to these experiences that truly matters.
A graduate of St. Joseph's University and Villa Maria Academy, Malvern, PA, Cathy also received a postgraduate certificate in Elementary Education from Immaculata University. She is married to commercial real estate professional Scott Gabrielsen and is the mother of two boys.
Certificate in Non-Profit Management, Lasalle University
Certificate in Fundraising, Lasalle University
Certificate in Board Leadership, Lasalle University
About Us
For over two years, Cuddle My Kids has been proudly serving families (or caregivers) that are in treatment for cancer and have children between the ages of 1-8. We are unique because we are the only home-based non-profit that focuses primarily on the children affected by this disease. Managing and coping with cancer can be overwhelming and our program truly increases the quality of life for all of these family members.
Cuddle My Kids volunteers are compassionate in their approach to helping families coping with the reality of cancer. We offer an emotional break from the tremendous stress of managing their disease while caring for youngsters. Our program enables these adults dedicated time to learn more about their cancer, treatment options, ways to better their situation or simply rest. Other times, they participate in the program's session along with their kids in a fun, lighthearted manner. We are thrilled to include them and cherish sharing those special moments with their family! Cuddle My Kids provides enrichment programs designed by certified elementary education teachers. Each session (twice a week for one-and-a-half hours) revolves around Cuddle Bag Time (sharing time), with a book, music, craft activity, singing, journaling and lots more. There are always lots of smiles but we are also always in tune to the children's need to express themselves — no matter what emotions they may be feeling and do our best to be there for them through this very scary and confusing time. Some families like more privacy and we reach out to them with our Cuddle Bag Drop Off Program. Our volunteers simply drop off our Cuddle Bag to the family containing the same wonderful program and supplies that they can explore independently and at their own pace.
Professional Advisors & Board of Directors
Expertise, passion and a strong belief in our mission define our Professional Advisory Board and our Board of Directors. The following individuals are a tremendous asset to the growth of our organization and we are grateful for their support.
Professional Advisors
Stephen C. Fox, MD, F.A.C.P. Hematology & Oncology
Jennifer Armstrong, MD Oncology Hematology
Thomas D. Frazier, MD F.A.C.S. Oncologic Surgery
Jennifer Sabol, MD F.A.C.S. General Surgeon, Diseases of the Breast
Kara Nakisbendi, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology
Gary Wingate, MD Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Eileen Morgans, RN, BSN
Lynn Stilley, Vice President Ambulatory & Diagnostic Services
Robert Fried, MD F.A.C.S. Medical Director, Surgeon, Diseases of the Breast
R. Michael Belden, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology
Albert Freedman, PhD
Joseph R. Verna Jr., DC
David Grossman, MD Hematology, Internal Medicine, Oncology
John Khalifa, MD
Jeff Hunt, MS
Andrew Freese, MD, PhD Neurology
Board of Directors
Scott Gabrielsen Chairman of the Board
Consistently one of the top producers for the company, Mr. Gabrielsen has been responsible for Landlord and Tenant representation and the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of office properties since 1993.
A market specialist throughout the Western Suburbs of Philadelphia, Mr. Gabrielsen delivers consultative assistance to local clients on a National and International basis. His excellence is credited by his ability to understand the specific needs and objectives of his clients and implement them through firm, yet fair negotiations.
He has represented the top tier of institutional and entrepreneurial owners having been the Landlord representative for Class A properties owned by Amerimar, Acorn, Brandywine Realty Trust, BPG Properties LTD., Buccini Pollin Group, Keystone Property Group, Kal Dolgin Affiliates, and O'Neill Properties Group to name a few.
One of his most recent tenant representation successes include the consolidation of VWR International LLC for its 150,000 sq. ft. Corporate Headquarters' relocation to Radnor, PA in July 2009.
In 2008 alone, Mr. Gabrielsen completed over 41 separate transactions totaling over 550,000 sq. ft. of space with a gross aggregate value over $110 million. During his tenure he has completed over 450 separate lease or sale transactions totaling over 3.8 million sq. ft.
Some of the clients he has represented include such corporations as Aramark, Aqua America, Comcast, Citizens Bank, PECO Energy, and UGI/Amerigas.
Mr. Gabrielsen is on the Board of Directors of The Tri-State REALTORS® Commercial Alliance which is the preeminent advocate for the Commercial and Industrial practitioners in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Mr. Gabrielsen has been honored by Co-Star, a leader in real estate database systems, as a Power Broker within the Philadelphia region as well as, in 2005 the Philadelphia Business Journal recognized Scott as a “40 under Forty” which recognizes the top 40 business professionals under forty years old in the Philadelphia region.
In his after hour duties from Binswanger, Scott enjoyed a ten year career playing professional indoor lacrosse for the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League and was a member of five World Championship Teams (1989, 1990, 1994, 1995) and in the year of his retirement led the Wings, as team captain, in their 1998 World Championship Series victory.
Mr. Gabrielsen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Management from the University of Vermont. Mr. Gabrielsen is married and resides in West Chester, PA with his wife Cathy and sons, Jimmy and Cole.
Colleen Bucci Vice President
Karen Stanzione Conte ESQ. Secretary
Patricia Brennan CFP® CFS Treasurer
V. Paul Bucci II,ESQ.
V. Paul Bucci, II is a founding partner in the Philadelphia law firm, Laffey, Bucci and Kent. Having spent over ten years as a personal injury lawyer trying cases in the courtroom, he worked at top-flight firms in Philadelphia and West Virginia. Paul has built a significant expertise in representing victims of catastrophic, severe, and work-related on the job injuries. He was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer – Rising Star in 2008 and 2009. Of particular note, Mr. Bucci was one of the lead attorneys representing those severely injured or killed in the Tropicana Casino parking garage collapse case in Atlantic City, New Jersey – which resulted in the largest construction accident settlement in U.S. history. In the past eight years alone, Paul has served as lead counsel or co-lead counsel in matters whose settlement amounts or jury awards total approximately $160,000,000. Paul considers it to be an honor to serve as legal counsel for Cuddle My Kids, Inc., his strong belief in Cuddle’s mission stems from watching his sister-in-law, Cathy, battle cancer while tending to her two young boys. "Cathy's experience with cancer touched us personally, as a result, we are committed to fighting the disease and helping those who suffer from it. With Cuddle My Kids, we are able to provide an important and unique system of support to families who are struggling to cope with this dreadful disease."
Paul is a graduate of West Virginia University and the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in Michigan. He is married to Colleen and they have three children.
Stephen C. Fox, MD, F.A.C.P.
Patrick J. Kelley
Kathy Megill, RN, BSN
Laura Voelker
Michael Zebrowski
Mr. Zebrowski has over 16 years in the financial services industry beginning in a regional bank as part of an executive management program with focus on all aspects of the financial industry: lending, retail, private banking, accounting, investments, marketing and communication. He then managed the Bank's call center and, in the late 1990's, developed its internet presence. He then joined MassMutual Financial Group where he held several key positions within Information Systems, Career Agency Distribution, and with MML Investors Services Inc. (MassMutual's Broker Dealer). At MML Investor Services as Vice President in Operations, Mr. Zebrowski headed up their financial planning unit and was responsible for the Project Management Office and Process Re-engineering. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer of eMoney Advisor, he oversees the daily operations and financials of the company.
In addition, Mr. Zebrowski's industry insights have been published in National Underwriter, Insurance & Technology, Wall Street & Technology and American Banker magazine.
Mr. Zebrowski is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts where he earned his MBA and BA. He is former Marine and a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War.
Megan E. Ciccarone Program Director
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