Malin Bergquist Charities:

Leading the Fight Against Cancer

Please Join Malin Bergquist's Team as We Raise Funds to Battle This Killer Disease

Determined that the cancer-related deaths of three of our colleagues would not go in vain, Malin Bergquist has adopted the fight against cancer as its signature charity and actively raises funds and donates employee time out of the office to support this vital work. The firm’s partners and staff support the objective of eliminating cancer through research, education, and advocacy and providing care to those stricken with the illness.

To attract donors by providing a qualified tax deduction, the firm in 2010 incorporated Malin Bergquist Charities, Inc., as a tax-exempt, charitable foundation.

Fundraising - Since 2008, our team, backed by a dollar-for-dollar firm match, has raised more than $60,000 for the American Cancer Society.

We raise money throughout the year in such major activities as Relays for Life in Erie, Pittsburgh and Greensburg, attracting more than 175 walkers for our teams last year. We also use a variety of fun in-house events and meals to build our fund, including a chili cook off, barbecue, salad bar and holiday cookie sales, as well as “Jeans Fridays” privileges all throughout the year.

Book Project - On company time over the past two years, our team has purchased and delivered children’s books about understanding cancer to 600 public and school libraries in Western Pennsylvania. With titles such as Angels & Monsters, Our Mom Has Cancer, Our Dad Is Getting Better and Cancer in the Family, the attractively packaged sets of books are produced by the American Cancer Society and deal with the sensitivities of cancer as seen through the eyes of children and teens.

Television coverage of our book project on WICU-TV in Erie

Background - This project was established in memory of three Malin Bergquist colleagues – Jeannette office manager Ruth Ann Deluzio and Erie office partners Michael Bergquist and Peter Delio – all felled by cancer during an 18-month stretch in 2007 and 2008.

Public Recognition - In 2008, with the book project as inspiration, the Pittsburgh Business Times launched a new webpage, Philanthropy Inc. It is an online community where not-for-profit organizations present wish lists for contributions from the business community that would deliver big returns. In an editorial, editor Lauren Lawley Head wrote: "The Malin Bergquist program impressed me for two reasons. It provided an outlet for the firm's employees to rally together and honor former colleagues. But just as importantly, it illustrated how one organization ... can fill a specific need in the community."

And at a 2009 dinner honoring Cancer Society volunteers in Pittsburgh, Malin Bergquist received the Pennsylvania Division's highest honor, the "Corporate Excellence Award."

Rebecca Dudenhoeffer (left) and Leah Straub answer pledge calls during the 2009 fundraising telethon benefitting Erie's Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation

Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation - Malin Bergquist actively supports the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation in Erie, which is pursuing non-invasive radio wave technology as a breakthrough in treatment procedures. In 2009, we helped answer pledge calls and assist behind the scenes during a fundraising telethon on WICU-TV.

Vision - Our vision is to fight cancer in unique ways and honor the memory of our colleagues and loved ones impacted by the disease. By marshalling our combined resources, in each of our footprint cities, the Malin Bergquist team will stand for a higher purpose as a group, above and beyond the calling of our profession.

Mission - Our mission is to use our time and funds to contribute significantly to the following:

• The Cancer Society book project - our signature project
• Relay for Life events
• Other cancer initiatives brought to us over time
• Cancer-focused charitable contributions by the firm when requested by clients

MB Charities Leadership - The board of directors includes Mark Miner (president), Charles Deluzio (vice president), Stacy Rager (secretary), Albert Isacks (treasurer), Lisa Donoghue (assistant treasurer), Karen Burns, Robin Coburn and Leah Straub.

Other members of the working committee are Cole Beehner, Kathryn Deluzio, Linda Eckard, Ann Halupczynski, Lori Hetrick, Julie Keenan, Denise Lemchak, Pamela Scrimenti, Debbie Stickle and Brandon Woolslare.