Dana Effron has been an involved member of the Hudson Valley community since moving here 37 years ago. She has served on several local boards including the Dutchess Arts Council, having served as Fund Chair and Vice President, New York Stage & Film Hudson Valley Advisory Board, the American Red Cross, the Dutchess Golf & Country Club Women’s board, the Jewish Federation of Dutchess County, Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Community Center, Hospice of Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson Hebrew Day School. Dana has also been a volunteer at Vassar Brothers Medical Center and the Dyson Center for Cancer Care. Along with her husband Ira in 2005 Dana received the Family of the Year Award from Family Services, the BMW Local Hero Award and Dana also received the Marist College President’s Award. In 2009 Dana and Ira were honored by the Community Foundation of Dutchess County. Most recently, Dana and Cathy Varunok received the inaugural Spirit of Empowerment award from the Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, Dana was selected by Hudson Valley Magazine for their issue recognizing 35 people who have left a legacy to the Hudson Valley.
In 1995, Dana's attention turned to breast cancer charities after falling victim to the disease herself. 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 patients, survivors and their families in the Hudson Valley. That dream came true in 2003 when she and her friend Cathy Varunok co-Founded the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation.
Sharing her life is her husband, Ira, children, Sam, Savannah, Jonathan and Jaci and their granddaughter, Ziva.
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 23 years in various areas of rehabilitation and is currently practicing Occupational Therapy at a Hudson Valley Cancer Center as a breast cancer specialist.
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 the recipient of The BMW Local Hero Award, Yoplait Champion Award by Yoplait/Self Magazine and Susan G. Komen and The New York State Occupational Therapy Association Merit of Practice Award.
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, and review and research of grant applications. Along with volunteer chairmen, she coordinates six Miles of Hope annual fundraising events: Family Fun Run, Annual Spring Brunch, Goals for Hope Women's Soccer Tournament, Community Walk for Breast Cancer, Hits for Hope Softball Tournament, and Hoops for Hope Women's Basketball Tournament.
