Fundraising Feats

These are a marathon events accomplished by friends of CBTF, appropriate to commemorate the marathon kids with brain and spinal cord tumors and their families face every day. (If you have a similar story to share email it to info@cbtf.org.)

bOSTON mARATHONER

Katy Soulas, a 9/11 widwo, is running the Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010 in honor of Justin Strada. Justin is the eight-year old son of Terry Strada, another 9/11 widow. Justin is a brain tumor survivor.

Katy is a veteran runner who married and had six children with Tim Soulas before he was killed in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. Terry's husband, Tom, was killed in the same attack, four days after his son Justin was born.  Katy and Terry met as 9/11 widows. When Justin was diagnosed with a brain tumor at five years old Terry reached out to Katy for emotional support, which she provided through Justin's two surgeries and sixteen months of chemotherapy.

Funds raised by Katy will benefit Justin's Hope Fund ( http://www.cbtf.org/support-us/justins-hope-fund )
at the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation. The fund was created exclusively to fund the CHildren's Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium, a collaborative effort begun by CBTF to find a cure for pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors.

Mountain Climber

On March 15th, 2008 Jennifer Zivic scaled Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa (all 19,341 feet of it!) summating on Easter Sunday in her dad's honor. Jennifer’s father, Chuck Zivic, passed away in October after a long battle with a brain tumor. Over the year that he was fighting this disease, she witnessed firsthand how devastating cancer can be to patients and those who love them. Jennifer said, “Each step of the way reminded me how brave he was and brought me closer to helping other patients and families deal with this devastating disease.”

When not climbing mountains Jennifer is a director at HiT Entertainment, which is a member of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). Through this connection Jennifer learned that the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) is LIMA’s charity of choice. This solidified her choice to climb to benefit CBTF.

Waterskier

On Thursday, June 26, 2008 beginning at the Statue of Liberty, Richie La Placa, a friend of one of our parents, headed up the Hudson River, waterskiing over 50 miles to raise money for the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation.

Richie's efforts recognize Ashley Elizabeth Gankiewicz. Only six years old, she has undergone surgeries and over a year of chemotherapy. She continues to battle various medical issues. Her mother, Stacy Mariano, says of her, "Despite everything she has gone through, Ashley continues to brighten the world and especially mine. When you look at Ashley you see that none of her challenges have broken her little spirit to love life no matter what comes her way."

Ironman

Will Aston-Reese competed in the Ironman USA Triathlon in Lake Placid, NY on Sunday, July 20th, 2008. He swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and then ran 26.2 miles in 14 hours, 53 minutes and 20 seconds.

Aside from finishing the massive race, Will’s hard work was dedicated to Tim and Trish Jegle of the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. The Jegle’s lost their 3-year old son, Danny, to a brain tumor ten years ago, and with this thought in his mind, Will found the drive to push beyond his limits.