Exercise to Help Save Lives

Isabella’s Dream Team

Exercise.  Whether we run, go to the gym, attend a yoga class, or simply power walk – we all exercise for a reason.  Most of the time, it’s the obvious reasons . . .   Stay healthy.  Lose weight.  Challenge yourself to see if you can do it.  Relieve stress.  Gain muscle.  Sense of accomplishment.

What if one of those reasons to exercise could be to help save a life?  Would you do it?

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) Dream Team does just that.  We exercise to help save lives.  

Join us  Saturday, August 11th, for a group run!

  • Who: ISF Dream Team
  • What: Group run!
  • Where: Little Sugar Creek Greenway
  • Meet at Park Road Shopping Center 4101 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
  • When: Saturday, August 11 at 7am
  • Why: Help save a life!

Email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org for more details.

The ISF Dream Team is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams. You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.

Testing the Limits of the Human Heart

“The real purpose of running isn’t to win a race.  It’s to test the limits of the human heart.” – Bill Bowerman, track and field coach and co-founder of Nike, Inc.

Geo Neto, Isabella’s Dream Team

Geo Neto, a new member to the ISF Dream Team, knows what it feels like to test the human heart.  In 1988 at the age of 14, he was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).  He knew this diagnosis wasn’t good –  but he was young, naïve, and didn’t truly understand what would happen to him.  30 years ago, information on ALL wasn’t as readily available.  He was sick.  He was scared.  And it scared his entire family – parents, siblings, uncles, and grandparents.  Everyone felt the pain, fighting together to save Geo.

Geo fought for his life and he has gotten to the other side.  Through this journey, he has learned how important it is to remain healthy, so he challenges himself to stay active.  In 2017, he ran the Isabella Santos Foundation 10K.  At the race, he learned more about ISF and the mission of raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer.  As he was setting his fitness goals for this year, he was also motivated to make a difference in our Charlotte community.  So, he joined the ISF Dream Team.   

Geo is making a difference . . . running, raising funds for pediatric cancer, and honoring those who are battling cancer.  His human heart is also honoring his family. “There is nothing that I can do that will ever thank them enough for everything that they did for me” when I was fighting for my life.

What an honor, Geo, to have you as a part of our ISF family.

Let’s all put our hearts together and support Geo.  Please click here to make a donation to his ISF First Giving page.

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

Bring Your Friends & Breakfast Run

There are friends.  And there are running buddies.  Sometimes the two intertwine.  Sometimes they don’t.  But both are equally important when you are determined to train and run the race of your dreams.  So what’s the difference?

Running buddies.  They run with you.  They hold you accountable.  They celebrate your accomplishments.  They sympathize with your aches and pains.  They know just what you need for a race.  They plan trips around races, and relax with you afterwards.  They push you to succeed.  It’s an unexplainable bond that everyone should experience.

Friends are just as important to help you finish a race.  When you run, it’s incredible to see your friends on the race course, cheering you on.  Nothing keeps you more motivated to keep going.  They provide you with support, and they are your cheerleaders. They are your friends, through thick and thin.

Every runner needs a running buddy and a friend during any run.  It will help you get from the start line to the finish line.    

The ISF Dream Team is celebrating our running buddies and friends.  This Saturday – BRING A FRIEND to our Saturday run and enjoy some ISF Swag, on us.  Afterwards we plan on having a team breakfast/social at Crispy Crepe on South Blvd.

  • Who: ISF Dream Team
  • Where: Charlotte Rail Trail
  • Meet at Bland Street Station — 1511 Camden Road, Charlotte, NC
  • When: Saturday, August 4 at 7am
  • Why: To be a friend and a running buddy!

See you Saturday!

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

Kids Helping Kids

Addison Ficker, Isabella’s Dream Team

Blow out some candles and have a piece of cake!  It’s our youngest Dream Team member’s birthday!  Happy 12th Birthday Addison! 

What an honor to have Addison as a part of the ISF Dream Team.  She started running in 3rd grade through her elementary school.  Ever since, she has participated in several 5K races, pushing herself to beat her previous time.

Addison and her family volunteered at the ISF 5K/10K race last year, and they were amazed at how ISF was making a difference in our Charlotte community.  During this same time, a dear family friend, Noah Hays (#noahstrong), was battling cancer after being diagnosed at the age of 15.  Witnessing this cancer fight was tough for Addison, and she wanted to find a way to help with pediatric cancer.  

Addison learned about the ISF Dream Team and she thought this was a perfect fit for her to run and give back.  The Dream Team combines her love of running and helping others.  She wants to do whatever she can to help raise money because “no one deserves to have to go through what he (Noah) went through.”

Addison is training for the ISF 10K on September 29th.  Through her training, she has received support from friends and family through donations.  She and her friends recently raised over $100 at a neighborhood lemonade stand they organized.  Her family also hosted a hot dog cookout that raised over $500.  

We are truly amazed at your dedication Addison!  Happy Birthday from the Isabella Santos Foundation and the ISF Dream Team.

Inspired to help support Addison?  Click here to make a donation to her fundraising page.  

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte pediatric cancer community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

The “C” Word

Ashley & Brian, Isabella’s Dream Team

The “C” word.  Cancer.  All of us have been affected by cancer . . . . someway, somehow in our lives.  It could be your best friend.  Your neighbor.  Your colleague.  Your mom.  Your brother.  Your wife. Your child.  Regardless of how you have been affected by the “C” word in your life, it isn’t easy.

Ashley Allred has been affected by cancer in her life.  Her first grade teacher was diagnosed with cancer.  Her second grade teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer and unfortunately lost her battle when she was in third grade.  Her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  And then Ashley became a teacher herself… her student was diagnosed with cancer.  It has affected Ashley too many times to count.  She decided it was time to find a way to give back and help find a cure.

Ashley found out about the Isabella Santos Foundation through her elementary school student.  Not only was it a way to support her student, but she could also help raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer. She joined the Isabella’s Dream Team in 2017, training to run a half marathon while raising money for pediatric cancer.  Now, she is helping lead the ISF Dream Team, training to run another race, raising money for pediatric cancer through her connections and creative partnerships, and she is making a difference.  

If you want to honor someone in your life who has been affected by cancer, you can help make a difference too.  It’s not too late to join the Dream Team. 

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte pediatric cancer community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.