Great Strides

In April of 2005, my Marissa got married. I was lucky enough to be a junior bridesmaid, and I struggled at 15 to find the right gift for the beautiful bride. I couldn't think of anything that would adequately reflect the love and appreciation I felt for her as a part of my life and also for inviting me to be a part of her wedding. I decided to make a contribution to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and to create a Great Strides  team in honor of both Marissa and Jennifer, the team name was JOY. I had a letter writing campaign in my high school resulting in a $1500 dollar donation in the girls’ name. I put together all the materials I had, including letters I had written to the administration,  letters I received back from the principal and other members agreeing to donate monies raised from Dress Down Days that year and in the future, a statement about the team  I had started, and a poem I wrote for the two of them. That May, myself, a few friends, and my mom and sister walked in the Great Strides event at Holtsville Zoo, raising even more funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The following year was an even better turn out with more friends joining us for the walk and more funds raised, unfortunately Jennifer and Marissa were never able to participate in the walk with Team JOY, but following Marissa’s passing and Jennifer’s double lung transplant, Jen started her own team in memory and honor of her sister: team love u like an ice cream sundae, we’ve walked together as a family ever since. Jen poured her heart and soul into Great Strides after her double lung transplant; it was a tribute not only to her adoring sister but also to her donor. She was her happiest on walk day, with her friends and family gathering around to support her. She always made an effort to make the day special, whether it was making ice cream cone lollipops, ordering t-shirts, or baking cookies and making butterflies out of fondant. I know my mom has memories of going to Michael’s to find all the right and best cookie decorating tools. After Jen passed away, I think we were all unsure of whether or not we would continue to participate in the walk, and it wasn’t until we got the okay go from my Aunt Kathy that we all agreed it was the best thing to do for Jen. And so keeping in tradition of having something special, Ian and myself, and my mom and sister made a last minute effort to make t-shirts for the walk. After visiting a few craft stores and target, we were equipped with tshirts, iron on photo paper, and fabric spray paint. We made a nice assembly line in the living room and made 20 shirts for the walk. Seeing my Aunt Kathy’s face light up when she saw the t-shirts made it all the more special. So in preparation for our 8th year walking I’m writing from the laundromat in downtown Binghamton, with blue dyed fingers and another 20 t-shirts, my iron on paper is waiting at home as is my new printer ink and some fabric paint. There is no end to the love we have all felt from the these two beautiful women, and as a result there is no end to the support we offer to the cystic fibrosis foundation. I am looking forward to again gathering with Jennifer and Marissa’s friends and family to honor their memory and offer support to the continued fight against cystic fibrosis. 

Holtsville 2006

Holtsville 2007

Long Beach 2007

Hofstra 2009

Lido Beach 2010

Eisenhower Park 2011