Malin Bergquist Charities:

Leading the Fight Against Cancer

Please Join Malin Bergquist's Book Project and Relay for Life Team as We Raise Funds to Battle This Killer Disease

Determined that the cancer-related deaths of three colleagues would not go in vain, Malin Bergquist has adopted the fight against cancer as its signature charity and is purchasing and distributing children’s books about understanding cancer to 400 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. The sets are being delivered personally by Malin Bergquist’s 120 employees in Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Erie between now and the end of 2009.

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

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 – felled by cancer since August 2007. 

The firm’s partners and staff support the Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer through research, education, and advocacy and patient services.

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 writes: "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."

Book Project – The firm has raised more than $10,000 for the book project, of which half has come from team members. The goal for 2008-2009 has been to purchase the four-book sets for distribution distributed to public libraries and schools all throughout Western Pennsylvania, with Erie, Westmoreland and Pittsburgh libraries receiving them in the first year. Our 120 team members have paired into groups of two. Each pair has been responsible for identifying and contacting eight or nine libraries; scheduling and executing deliveries in person; and taking photos of deliveries.

Relays for Life – In July and August each year, team members and their families and friends participate in Relays for Life in Erie and Pittsburgh/Kiski. In 2008, our group of more than 140 participants raised $17,962 to support American Cancer Society initiatives.

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

Support for Other Cancer Fighting Initiatives - Malin Bergquist actively supports other worthy initiatives that are leading the fight against cancer. Among these is 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 Committee: Cole Beehner, Patty Brown, Steve Bruckner, Karen Burns, Tim Carfang, Robin Coburn, Kelley Costa, Charles Deluzio, Kathy Deluzio, Lisa Donoghue, Linda Eckard, Ann Halupczynski, Lori Hetrick, Al Isacks, Julie Keenan, Denise Lemchak, Mark Miner (chair), Stacey Sanders, Pam Scrimenti, Leah Straub, Debbie Stickle, Stacy Wilkins and Brandon Woolslare.