The Trefz Family

Ernest and Christian Trefz started the Trefz Corporation in 1964 with the opening of the first McDonald's in Waterbury, Connecticut. After their two sons, Christian and Paul Trefz, joined the company it evolved into the Trefz Family McDonald's Restaurants operating in New York and Connecticut.

Paul and Paris Trefz became involved with the Children's Cancer Research Fund beginning with the very first dinner dance. Their daughter Josie was diagnosed with leukemia on August 13, 1992, at the age of three. Because of the level of care and extensive research over the years, Josie is a healthy and active fourteen-year-old girl.

Grandparents, Ernest and Joan, along with the Ronald McDonald House were immediately instrumental in finding the hospital and doctor to care for her. Westchester Medical Center and Dr. Jayabose were the names that were given to them.

Since that time, the entire Trefz family has worked hard to assure the Children's Cancer Research Fund mission was accomplished; "the funding of research programs in childhood cancers and to provide support services that improve the quality of life to affected children and their families."

The charitable efforts that have been provided by the Trefz family have not gone unnoticed. They have held carwashes at their McDonald's restaurants; provided and served all the food for Children's Cancer Fund's annual walk-a-thon since its inception, in addition to having made generous donations through the Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation. Paul and Paris are also members of the Ronald McDonald House Board, which is now building a Ronald House at the Westchester Medical Center's new Children's Hospital. This family exemplifies the true meaning of giving.

The Children's Cancer Fund is very proud to name Paul, Paris, their children Kendal, Josie, Gretchen, and Wyatt, as well as grandparents Ernest and Joan as their honorees for 2003.