Dana Effron has been an involved member of the Hudson Valley community for the past 30 years. Her attention turned to breast cancer charities after falling victim to the disease herself in 1995.
Dana served on several local boards, including the Dutchess Arts Council, having served as Fund Chair, The Hudson Valley Board of New York Stage and Film, the American Red Cross, The Jewish Federation of Dutchess County, Temple Beth-el, The Jewish Community Center, Hospice of Dutchess County and The Mid-Hudson Hebrew Day School as treasurer. After participating in many events to support breast cancer research and education, Dana became interested in developing a Foundation for the support and education of breast cancer survivors and their families in the Hudson Valley.
After clocking hundreds of miles in walks, including four Avon 3-days and seeing the money distributed nationally, Dana wanted to see the funds raised help families in her own back yard.
Miles of Hope is that fund.
Dana is joined by her husband and their children, Sam, Savannah, Jonathan and Jaclyn.
Cathy Benecke Varunok was born in Brooklyn and moved to the Hudson Valley in 1991. She graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in 1985 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She received her Master’s Degree in Humanistic and Multicultural Education from SUNY New Paltz in 2001. Cathy has been providing Occupational Therapy services for the past 18 years in various areas of rehabilitation and is currently practicing Occupational Therapy at a Hudson Valley Cancer Center as a breast cancer specialist. She is also an adjunct professor of Occupational Therapy at Dominican College in Blauvelt, New York.
Cathy has been an advocate for breast cancer since her 36 year-old sister succumbed to the disease in 1992 and her mother was first diagnosed with the disease. She has logged hundreds of miles for breast cancer walks nationwide for various organizations, including three Avon 3-day walks. After her experience with these walks, and her experience as a health care provider to people with breast cancer, Cathy dreamed of a local organization to raise funds for people dealing with breast cancer in the Hudson Valley area. The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation has helped her to realize these dreams.
Cathy is married to Peter Varunok and they have three children, Nicholas, Katey and Mikayla and live in the town of LaGrange.
Pari Forood has been the Executive Director of Miles of Hope since its inception in 2004. She handles all administrative aspects of the foundation including fund raising, public relations and media, review and research of grant applications. Along with volunteer chairman, she coordinates four of Miles of Hope's major annual fundraising events: Annual Spring Brunch, Goals for Hope Women's Soccer Tournament, Community Walk for Breast Cancer, and Hoops for Hope Women's Basketball Tournament.
