A Decade of Purpose, Pasta & Community with Dr. Dina Rooney
Interview with Dr. Dina Rooney
In retirement, Dr. Dina Rooney devoted her time to volunteering with Aunt Susie’s Cancer Wellness Center, helping organize Pasta for a Purpose in recent years, and initiating the organization’s merger with Stewart’s Caring Place in 2024.
Through her professional career and years of volunteer service, Dina has become a beloved member of the Canton community. As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Pasta for a Purpose, we asked Dina to reflect on the history, impact, and the community support that has kept cancer wellness programs and supportive services in Canton.
Why did you want Aunt Susie’s to merge with Stewart’s Caring Place?
Dina: Aunt Susie’s Cancer Wellness Center was a truly all volunteer run nonprofit. We have been very fortunate since the beginning to have devoted, loyal volunteers keep us afloat. Our client numbers and budget for services grew pretty quickly after we moved into our building in 2023. It became obvious that if we were to sustain the growth and add services we needed a stronger infrastructure and some paid employees. As an oncologist, I sent patients to Stewart’s for 20 years and really dreamed of bringing something similar to Canton. Well, the real thing is better than similar! When we reached out to Sarah Vojtek, she was open to expanding into the Canton area and the rest is history.
2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of Aunt Susie’s signature fundraiser, Pasta for a Purpose. What makes Pasta for a Purpose special compared to other fundraisers?
Dina: Pasta for a Purpose is a traditional community fund raising event. No $100+ dollar tickets, no tuxes or formal gowns — just a couple hours of fellowship and fun for a great cause in our community.
Our volunteers have come together to plan and provide the labor for this event for 10 years. We are thankful that our volunteer team has grown to keep up with the popularity of our basket and grand raffles. We don’t do the cooking any more because our crowd has outgrown our energy — but our volunteers will be there to serve you with a smile. So many in our community join us by sponsoring and donating amazing “stuff” to fill our baskets and our hearts. Without this support, we could not pull off this event. Come on out and enjoy the music, food and fun to help us continue to provide support to our friends and neighbors impacted by cancer.
How would you like to see Pasta for a Purpose evolve in the next 10 years?
Dina: I love that Pasta for a Purpose is an event that allows people of all incomes and backgrounds to come together to give back to the community. I hope that Stark County can help us continue to raise funds that will enable us to continue to add more services in Canton that Stewart’s Caring Place provides in Fairlawn. The growth in Canton has been exciting so far, but I cannot wait to see where it goes.
What makes Canton and the people of Canton so special to you?
Dina: I love Canton. I was born and raised here. I was welcomed back with open arms when I returned in 1997. I had been a nurses aid at Mercy during summers while I was in college. My mom was an RN at Mercy for over 40 years. I decided that if I moved to Canton and worked really hard, I could vacation in all the other places I wanted to visit – a big improvement over sleeping in my childhood bedroom for vacations! I think that the fact that I was a local kid who came back to serve the community made it easier for patients to put their trust in me — I was after all young and a “girl”. Medical care in Stark County is driven by the centers of excellence in Ohio. Ohio State, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital all provided great opportunities to collaborate with experts in the subspecialties in Oncology. I loved my patients and my work. I learned so much from so many people faced with cancer. I also saw the need for support so far above and beyond what our clinics and hospitals can provide for those afflicted and their families. It is truly an honor to now be a part of Stewart’s Caring Place.
