Note from the editor: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly compilation of tales of Staten Islanders creating impact, gaining recognition, giving back to the community, and generally making our borough a unique place to call home. Do you have an Inside Out story? Carol Ann Benanti may be reached by email at [email protected].
During a Baller’s Dream Foundation presentation, Frank DeBlasi, on the right, engages with a cancer survivor who is dressed as a princess. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
New York’s Staten Island. Francis (Frank) Joseph DeBlasi has always placed a strong value on maintaining his Italian-American background. It makes sense, too.
The late Dr. Joseph DeBlasi, his father, practiced internal medicine privately in New Dorp. Along with DeBlasi’s brother, Matthew, a U.S. Bank executive, and mother, Rita DeBlasi, a cardiac intensive care nurse, the family had always thought back on their long-standing Italian heritage, its legendary culture, and its customs from the ancient nation.
They upheld the traditions and ideals that both sets of grandparents, who were immigrants from Italy, had taught them, as well as the ties that were firmly anchored in respect, love, and loyalty.
DeBlasi, who currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the founder of the Baller Dream Foundation, a registered non-profit organization that has established itself in seven states. By day, he is a senior vice president and financial advisor for Merrill Lynch’s Wealth Management, where he leads The DeBlasi Team.
The DeBlasi Team with Frank DeBlasi, second from right. (Merrill Lynch, courtesy)Advance of Staten Island
A family impacted by cancer stands on the football field alongside Frank DeBlasi, second from right, who represents the Baller Dream Foundation. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
The charity wants to help kids, teens, and their families who are fighting cancer of any kind feel better.
According to DeBlasi, the moniker came from their preference to refer to the children as ballers rather than patients.
DeBlasi, a vital member of the community on multiple levels, says that after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 29, he vowed to give back by helping others stay optimistic during their difficult treatments and help them beat the illness.
Standing on the football field with a family he has assisted through the Baller Dream Foundation is Frank DeBlasi, on the right. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
DeBlasi will be honored at The National Italian American Foundation’s 4th Annual Arizona Gala on Saturday, February 1 at 6 p.m. in the Caesars Republic Scottsdale to celebrate all of his achievements, his devotion to the finance industry and business savvy, and his hard work on his prosperous charity.
Francis Joseph DeBlasi will be honored during the 4th Annual Arizona Gala on Saturday, February 1 in Scottsdale’s Cleoopatra Pool & Romulus Ballroom Foyer. (Photo by Frank DeBlasi.)Advance of Staten Island
The National Italian American Foundation and the Baller Dream Foundation will profit from the event’s proceeds. If you would like more information about the charity, call 202 387-0600 or send an email to [email protected].
A BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT DE BLASI AND HIS AMAZING WORK
DeBlasi, a Wagner College graduate who played Division 1 basketball, was raised on Staten Island.
He is a senior vice president at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Scottsdale and has over 25 years of experience managing private wealth.
Since establishing the Baller Dream Foundation in 2013, DeBlasi has given amazing, customized gifts and experiences to over 1,000 young cancer-fighting warriors, or “Ballers,” as they are known.
The organization has expanded to seven states under his leadership: Arizona, Nevada, California, Alabama, Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
Family members associated with the Baller Dream Foundation, including Frank DeBlasi, second from right. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
And even though he’s located in Arizona, DeBlasi sees every Baller multiple times and travels to each state, building enduring ties with them and their families.
“It is extremely humbling to be recognized as the Arizona honoree for the National Italian-American Foundation Award,” DeBlasi said in reference to his impending recognition. I sincerely appreciate this chance. I am dedicating this award to my immigrant grandparents who arrived in NYC from Rasiglia in the 1930s, and faced all sorts of challenges and hurdles in their transition. Yet, they overcame, and paved the way for our family. And I am also dedicating this award to my parents, Dr. Joseph and Rita DeBlasi. From a very early point in my life, my parents consistently instilled in me the core principles of being a true Italian-American: a strong moral compass, deep cultural pride, hard work, and community care.
He went on to explain that, With this award I cannot help but think of my father s efforts on Staten Island, who for over 40 years, exemplified all of these principles through his large medical practice in New Dorp, which consisted of so many Italian-American patients and health care heroes.
Frank DeBlasi, center, poses with a family he helped through the Baller Dream Foundation. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
The not-for-profit is home to four main programs: Major Gifting, In-Hospital Programming, Community/Peer-to-Peer events, and Financial Support, that create custom support that benefits each individual when and where it is most needed.
Frank DeBlasi, third from left, smiles along with a Baller Dream Foundation family. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
I m a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch during the day and a philanthropist by night, DeBlasi shares about his work. I have a never-ending passion for making a difference. We refer to our cancer-fighting warriors as ballers instead of patients. Our ballers are strong, resilient, and courageous individuals. They are at the heart of everything we do.
Frank DeBlasi, second from right, and a Baller Dream Foundation family. (Photo credit: Stephen Savage)Advance of Staten Island
We refer to our cancer-fighting warriors as ballers instead of patients. Our ballers are strong, resilient, and courageous individuals. They are at the heart of everything we do.
CELEBRATIONS – JAN. 19 TO JAN. 25
JAN. 19
Sunday is birthday time for Anthony Ferreri, former regional executive director, Northern & Southwest Regions, executive vice president, North Shore LIJ Health System, former Public Administrator, Gary Gotlin, Melissa Alcock, Chuck Schmidt, Joe Knorr, Frank Buczkowski, Jim Ruger and John Cassidy now a father of two, who turns 38.
JAN. 20
The best of birthdays on Monday to Steve Zaffarano, Louis Camerier, Dominick Cataldo, Brittaney Erica Durkin, who celebrates her 28, Caitlin Pietrangelo and Kathleen Kenny.
JAN. 21
Happy birthday Tuesday to Anthony Patrick DeMaio, John M. Haas turns 26, Gloria Silverstein, Kerry Schacht, Glenn Nyback, Edwin Fong, Michael Dinten, Anthony Pelle Jr. and twins Anthony and Joel Perosi.
JAN. 22
Birthday best on Wednesday to Mike Falco, Lisa Ferragano, Amanda Heyward, Theresa Furnari Scott, Vincent Lucchese, Vincent Mazza and twins, Jared and Lindsay Baskin.
Wednesday is wedding anniversary time for Jessie and Frank Dillon who celebrate their 32nd and to Edithann and Stephen Bradway.
JAN. 23
The happiest of birthdays on Thursday to Ken Paulsen, Salvatore Sutera of Great Kills, Mary Scano, Thomas Scarcella, Karen Mandel, triplets Peter, Kristen and Nicole SanFilippo and twins Christina and Gina Petruzzi.
JAN. 24
Heading the birthday list on Friday is Surrogate Matthew Titone, who shares his birthday with Bette Midler tribute artist, Donna Maxon, Larry Miraglia, Phyllis Schreiner, Linda Errichetti, Benjamin Gerard Ruggiero turns 13, and Matt Bacchi turns who turns 38.
JAN. 25
Birthday greetings on Saturday go to Megan Maligno, Paul Driscoll, Emily Seton, Nancy Biggs, Kevin Wallen who turns 25, Tom DeLese, Toni Anne Colucci, Jim Downing, Alexandrea Acevedo, Amanda Marie DeMeo, Joe Troiano, Virginia McCarthy Trazzi, Vincent Como and Carol Pasquale.
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