State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)

October 29, 2009

Dear Members of the Downstate Community,

With the arrival of Fall, it is once again SEFA Time. This year's campaign will kick off at Downstate in October and I am happy to say that there are many positive changes to make the State Employee Federated Appeal Downstate Campaign 2009/2010 more successful than ever.

We are happy to announce the appointment of Co-Campaign Managers for this SEFA season. They are Don Lemke, of the Medical Research Library and Christine Murrell in the President's Office. Don has always been an enthusiastic supporter of SEFA. He has done extraordinary work during these past years both in his department and on the SEFA Administrative Committee on which he serves. Christine needs no introduction to anyone who has had previous contact with our campaign. She is the "go-to" person for all SEFA needs. She has been the Campaign Coordinator for many years and her ascension to Co-Campaign Manager is well earned. SEFA will still be supported by Leslie Rogowsky, our SEFA Loaned Executive and the Administrative Committee and of course, our most valuable campaign asset, our Fund Raisers.

Last year, during the severe economic downturn, you gave very generously. Thank you for your participation and your willingness to help those in need. Our campus is again winner of the Governor's Cup for raising the most charitable donations in the NYC SEFA Campaign, $216,477. We are hoping to reach our next campus milestone, $225,000 this year and you can help. Make your pledge by payroll deduction (any amount for 26 pay periods really adds up) or by cash, credit card or a check. Our online giving, EPIedge, has become more popular. In 2008/09 we doubled the number of donors who pledged on our secure, easy to use website (www.downstate.edu/sefa).

Please give as much as you can, to the agency or agencies of your choice (and there are more than 1500 of them to choose from). Your dollars help people, cancer research agencies and many other beneficiaries. Those who are in need are counting on us. Your caring and giving is more important this year than ever. Together we can... and we must!

Sincerely,

John C. LaRosa, MD
President