Filosofos named winner of LOVE Award
Susan G. Komen Upstate New York has announced Denise Filosofos of Grand Island is the 2017 recipient of its annual LOVE Award. The LOVE Award honors a volunteer who works tirelessly to advance the Komen mission and inspires others to do the same.
Filosofos will accept the LOVE Award on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Komen's 16th annual Survivor Luncheon at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. The annual luncheon is a celebration of those who have struggled, or are struggling, to overcome breast cancer.
Filosofos was first diagnosed with breast cancer 19 years ago, and then again this year. She participated in her first Race for the Cure in 2001, and has been involved with every race since then. She started volunteering with Komen after retiring in 2010 from the New York State Office of Court Administration, where she worked for 33 years.
"During my treatments 19 years ago, I saw a brochure about Susan G. Komen and how it was started by one woman's promise to her sister to do whatever she could to help other women going through the breast cancer fight, and to help find a cure. Since then, I have wanted to be a part of this organization," Filosofos said. "I enjoy working with all the amazing people, both men and women, and receiving the LOVE Award is an amazing honor to me."
Filosofos has been on the Race for the Cure committee, the PR/marketing committee, and has been a key to the production of the annual Survivor Luncheon, chairing the basket raffle for the past several years.
"Denise is an incredibly diligent volunteer who shows up year after year, event after event, and is one of the true foundations of everything Komen does in Western New York," said Liz Kahn, executive director of Komen Upstate New York. "She is a behind-the-scenes superstar who has grown the raffle into one of the best in Western New York! We're very lucky to have her and thrilled to give her this well-earned recognition."
All breast cancer survivors who attend the event, which begins at 11 a.m., are treated to a complimentary lunch and gifts. The program also includes a punch reception, basket raffle, local vendors and a performance from the Buffalo Girlchoir.
Other awards at the luncheon include the FAITH award, for a breast cancer survivor who advocates in the community and works to empower people. This year's FAITH Award winner is Beth Stefani of Hamburg. Also, the 2017 HOPE Award will go to Karen Guitterez of Williamsville, a nurse practitioner and longtime volunteer with Komen.
