Julie Varchetti and Darryl Chene's Fundraising Page
“It’s not the speed but the purpose of the journey.”
On June 6th 2011, Julie Varchetti and I will be in San Diego to join my 14 year old cousin Shannon as she completes her first half marathon! Shannon is an amazing young woman who has struggled with tumors most of her life. She refuses to let her condition get the best of her and will fight back by running 13.1 miles as a fundraiser to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
We are very excited that her mom (Kelly) and sister (Samantha) will also be joining us on this journey. We won’t win… but we will raise awareness along with much needed research dollars that will give us hope for a better tomorrow.
Shannon is doing this event in honor of her friends Carly, Destanie, Nic, and Izzy. This will not come easy to her, as she has been dealing with a large painful tumor on her ankle and foot. Please help us to help her, by making a donation in recognition of her efforts. Together we can make a difference!
Thank you so much for any help you can give. This really means a lot to all of us.
Why we support the Children's Tumor Foundation:
My cousin Shannon participates in studies and clinical trials that are funded by this organization. They have connected her with the best surgeons in the world who make use of this cutting edge research. Shannon struggles with many complications of NF including multiple brain stem tumors. Currently there is no cure or effective treatment but we believe that one will be developed through the work of this organization.
More about Shannon: In 2002, Shannon won her battle with cancer. She is a real fighter who we greatly admire. Shannon has endured more doctor's visits, tests, procedures, and needle sticks during the last nine years than most people will experience over their entire lifetime. Looking at Shannon you would never be able to tell that she has overcome so many difficult challenges. Despite everything she remains well adjusted, happy, and positive. She truly is our hero and inspiration...
We’d love to have you join us!!!
The marathon weekend is an incredible experience that will dramatically change your life in a very positive way. You’ll meet some amazing people while achieving some unbelievable goals. The nicest thing about it is that ANYONE can participate. You can walk, run, or volunteer and every role is both rewarding and important. Everyone can help fundraise – the money we raise funds clinical trials that develop treatments to help millions of people. Our team apparel promotes awareness, camaraderie, and provides emotional support for the patients and their families who see us along on the course. It’s very fulfilling as a participant to run/walk a marathon & fundraise for a charity... to run for a reason :)
Making a difference:
You may be the smile or cheer from the crowd that connects with a runner or walker who is struggling, allowing him or her to reach down deep and push out those final 6 miles. Maybe you’re the runner who provides emotional support for a patient or family in the crowd as you run in their honor. Or the walker who promotes awareness of the cause and meets that person who thought they were all alone in their fight. Whatever happens, you will be taking an active role in the search for a cure. You will touch people’s lives and generate hope.
Our own experience:
Julie and I meet in January 2003 at Disney while both of us were attempting our very first marathon. We were each running for charity in honor of someone who we love very much. We connected on the course around mile 18 just as we were approaching “the wall”. We were physically and mentally exhausted but we shared a smile and a common goal. This proved to be a great distraction from the pain that we were feeling at the time. We were able to “push through” all the way to the finish line. We share a deep emotional bond and have been the best of friends ever since. I feel so lucky that she came into my life.
We may not be the fastest, but thanks to your help; we are making a difference.
We REALLY appreciate your continued support!
We've all heard of Cancer, we've all heard of Diabetes,
but most of us know nothing about NF. You may be surprised to learn just how common it is. In fact, it affects almost 2 MILLION PEOPLE worldwide. However, because of NF’s close connection to many common diseases and disorders, such as cancer, learning disabilities, heart disease, memory loss, and brain tumors, research on NF stands to benefit 175 million Americans in this generation alone.
I’ve included some NF facts and statistics below, please read them when
you can.
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, hereditary
muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's disease combined. It strikes one in
every 3,000 births, and affects people of all races and ethnic origins throughout
the world. Half of all cases occur as the result of a "spontaneous genetic
mutation" in families with no history of the disorder. This means that anyone's
next child could be born with NF.
NF causes tumors to form on nerves anywhere in the body, including the brain
and spinal cord. It can lead to loss of vision and hearing, disfigurement,
loss of limbs, skeletal defects, and various forms of cancer, including juvenile
leukemia. Learning disabilities occur at a rate five to six times higher
among children with NF than those in the general population. Half of all
children with NF require special education. Many of these children also have
speech and motor deficits, or psychosocial and behavioral problems, which
require therapy. Individuals with NF have a higher incidence of stroke,
structural heart defects, hypertension and other cardiovascular complications,
which can affect even very young children.
Below is a video from the Children’s
Tumor Foundation that demonstrates how your support benefits nearly
2 million people worldwide that are affected by Neurofibromatosis. I
hope you’ll please take a few minutes to watch the video and perhaps
be as motivated as we are to support The Children’s Tumor
Foundation.
