Tag Archive for: childhood cancer

No Equipment Needed

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Brian Levy, Isabella’s Dream Team

Brian Levy has always been athletic, but he has not always been a runner.  He grew up playing ice hockey and transitioned to mountain biking.  Over time, he realized it was easy to just go on a run.  No equipment needed.  No class required.  He trained for a couple of 5Ks, and he eventually ran his first half marathon.  He was hooked.

As he continued to grow in to his love of running, he learned about the Isabella Santos Foundation through his fiancé.  Since Brian runs by himself, she encouraged him to check in to the ISF Dream Team so he could share his passion with others and run with a group of people.  He knew immediately it was something he wanted to do.

Last year, Brian joined the ISF Dream Team.  Hearing everyone’s inspirational stories kept him motivated to keep training and keep pushing himself.  He accomplished several races while training with the Dream Team:  Chicago Marathon, Rock and Roll Marathon in Savannah, two Half Ironman Triathlons, and the ISF 10k. WOW! 

With that said, we are truly honored to have Brian Levy leading the ISF Dream Team this year.  As he is striving to accomplish his goals (qualify for the Boston Marathon), he knows he is accomplishing even a bigger role (making a bigger contribution in the fight against cancer).  

“I know that my strengths are with training and coaching other athletes.  I’m looking forward to helping other runners achieve their goals of training for their big race and in the process, introducing more people to ISF.” 

Brian is making a difference, in so many ways.  Running.  Leading the ISF Dream Team runs.  Fundraising for ISF.  “I know my contribution in the fight against cancer is small in the grand scheme of things but I think that’s what it’s all about.  A lot of people making small contributions can make a big difference.  Every time I am out there running in my Dream Team shirt or talking to people about races about ISF, that’s my little contribution to the big fight.”

Thank you Brian for leading the ISF Dream Team.  Let’s help Brian meet his goals this year by supporting him through his First Giving page:  https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/teamba/2018-Isabella-s-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 community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

 

We Run to Crush Cancer

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It’s always good to keep things in perspective.  Ask yourself why?  Why do you do the things you do?  Why are certain things important to you?  

We asked our Dream Team members at the beginning of this season . . . what is your why?  Why do you run?  Why are you a part of the ISF Dream Team?  Why do you help fundraise?  Here are some answers we received. . . .  

  • To support those who know Isabella and to fight cancer . . . duh!
  • To put a purpose behind my running.
  • I run for ISF to inspire more kids to give back.
  • I run to crush cancer for my mom, Mackenzie who beat Neuroblastoma, and for Isabella.
  • I run because no parent should ever lose their child to cancer.
  • To make a difference of the lives of people fighting cancer.
  • I’m running on the Dream Team because I want to help raise money for kids with cancer and it’s a good mark to leave.

We run to CRUSH CANCER.  Come run with us this Saturday!

Run with Isabella’s Dream Team this Saturday, August 18th.  You can join us at either run listed below.

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.

I Run for a Cure

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Christine Brent, Isabella’s Dream Team

It’s amazing how someone can impact your life forever.  For Christine Brent, it started almost a decade ago.  Christine met The Santos’ when they were expecting Isabella.  She helped Erin decorate her nursery, she knew when Isabella was diagnosed with cancer, and she committed to help the Isabella Santos Foundation any way that she could.  Family donations.  Fundraising support through her career.  Volunteering on the marketing committee.  Joining the ISF Dream Team.  It has been life changing for Christine, and nothing gets in her way.

About two years ago, Christine started to notice that her hip was giving her fits.  After several visits with doctors, they concluded she had hip dysplasia.  It got to a point where she could not sleep, barely walk, and the pain was no longer tolerable.  She only had one option left – a hip replacement.  

On March 19th, Christine received a hip replacement.  She walked on day one.  She was off of a walker by week two.  She followed every exercise and stretch they recommended.  She was released and back to work 4 weeks after her hip replacement.

So how is she today?  She is training with the ISF Dream Team for a race this Fall.  She has accomplished the Savannah Half Marathon, the Savannah Half Marathon Relay, and the Charlotte Marathon Relay with the Dream Team.  And, she will do it again!  Christine Brent will not stop giving back for Isabella.

“I run for all those who fight now, have fought in the past, or will fight in the future.  I run for a cure.”

Christine’s goal is to raise $7,000 this year for Isabella.  Help her reach her goal by donating to her First Giving page:  https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/keithandchristine-brent-1/2018-Isabella-s-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 community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

 

Isabella Santos Foundation Receives $45,000 Gift from All-In to Fight Cancer

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 13, 2018 – The Isabella Santos Foundation announced today that it received a $45,000 donation from the All-In to Fight Cancer 2018 Texas Hold’em fundraiser.

“The Isabella Santos Foundation is a wonderful beneficiary partner and we are thrilled to be able to support their mission and make an impact on our local cancer community,” said Steve Amedio, co-founder of All-In to Fight Cancer.

The donation to Isabella Santos Foundation will support research for neuroblastoma and other rare pediatric cancers, including two endeavors at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital: the MIBG Suite, a specialized therapy program which is under construction, and the Isabella Santos Foundation Rare and Solid Tumor Programannounced earlier this year.

“We greatly appreciate the generous donation from All-In to Fight Cancer and being among its cancer charity partners,” said Erin Santos, Executive Director and President of the Isabella Santos Foundation. “The All-In Texas Hold’em fundraiser is a terrific event that brings the community together to make incredible things happen for cancer patients in our Queen City.”

About All-In To Fight Cancer

Founded in 2010, All-In to Fight Cancer is a grassroots, nonprofit group dedicated to increasing public awareness and raising money to find a cure for cancer, by hosting Texas Hold’em tournaments. To date, they have raised over $1,000,000 to support the fight against cancer. Each year, they choose benefitting organizations that are doing incredible things in the local cancer community. They are a grassroots organization that is committed to keeping their funding local and as high-impact as possible – every penny of our proceeds goes straight to our partners. For more information, visit http://www.allintofightcancer.org/.

About Isabella Santos Foundation

The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF) is a 501(c)3 childhood cancer foundation dedicated to raising funds for research for neuroblastoma, other rare pediatric cancers, and charities that directly impact the lives of children with cancer. ISF was founded in honor of Isabella Santos from Charlotte, N.C. who lost her battle against neuroblastoma. ISF works to improve rare pediatric cancer treatment options in an effort to improve the survival rate of kids with cancer. For more information, visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.org  or follow ISF on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IsabellaSantosFoundation), Instagram (www.instagram.com/theisfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TheISFoundation).

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CONTACT:

Jenni Walker – Walker PR Group – 980-339-8041-office/704-649-6571-cell

jenni@walkerprgroup.com

Testing the Limits of the Human Heart

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“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.