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"Thank you, Fight On"
December 2014
Pediatric cancer fundraising
2014 total: $30,000+
2013 total: $25,631
2012 total: $26,026
Since April 2011: $90,000
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Heading into 2014, my goal was to hold a Kick It event on the campus of the University of Southern California
during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. It was going to be a special day for the USC community to make a difference for pediatric cancer research
and also honor Jackson Panzarello's incredible impact. However, those plans fell thru in the middle of the summer. Sometimes
in life, you'll find some incredible silver linings in the darkest clouds. There will always be unexpected challenges.
How you respond defines you as a person. For me, there was only one way to respond when the USC plans failed to materialize.
I had to Fight On, because that's what Jackson would want me to do.
On regrets..
I'm not someone who lives with too many regrets. I've always been able to move forward without spending too much time
wondering about what could have been. But I do regret that I didn't fly to California
to meet Jackson before he passed away in 2012. I was naive about glioblastoma at that time. I thought remission would
eventually lead to a cure. What I learned from that experience is that when you get the chance to meet someone incredibly
special, you do not pass it up. I walked into the house and Karsyn gave me one of the tightest hugs I've ever gotten. Over the course of the weekend,
she taught me about perseverance and determination. Sure, the disease has invoked certain limitations on Karsyn.
But it does not define who she is. It never will.
Teammates
Childhood Cancer Action Day was an incredible experience where I was able to meet people who fight as hard as I do for
research funding. The most powerful moment came in a conference room adjacent to Sen. Marco Rubio's office.
I looked into the eyes of Val Bryan as he spoke to Emily Bouck, legislative assistant for Sen. Rubio, about his 4-year-old
son, Princeton, who attended the event. Val asked Princeton to join him near the head of the table as he spoke.
He unbuttoned Princeton's sky blue shirt and showed the young Congressional staffer the scars on his son's body.
Princeton has Stage IV Neuroblastoma. The tumor can begin in any part of the body, but most often forms in the nerves of
the adrenal glands. Treatments include chemotherapy drugs designed for different types of adult cancers. The chemotherapy
is often too much for children's small bodies, which often causes permanent damage. There is no cure.
Ms. Bouck was brought to tears as she looked around the room at the families impacted by the disease.
It was incredibly special that Princeton conducted the August raffle benefiting the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation. We
raised more than $2,400 in that three-week summer effort.
In memory of Leah Wasson
In memory of Lynn Brown
Heroes and Friends
Since April 2011, I've raised nearly $90,000 for pediatric cancer research -- including more than $30,000 in 2014 -- forever
guided and inspired by Jackson. Above all else, I'm greatly appreciative of the support I've
received from the people listed below.
Karsyn Bratch- You are an incredible spirit and it was a blessing to have spent time with you in September.
You are also the best hugger I have ever met!
Lisa, Mark, and Willis Panzarello- Your strength and grace inspires everything I do. Forever grateful that you
shared Jackson's story and changed the course of my life. Fight On, always.
Helen Thompson. Thank you so much for supporting the fundraising efforts. But more than that, thank you for your
friendship and perspective. You've been my compass when I'm lost, and my anchor when I get tossed.
Trish Kriger, Rachelle Thompson, Jennifer Jones -- Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation. Thank you for the support
throughout the year. Very honored to call you teammates in our shared mission. Special thanks to your boss as well.
Gail Toth. It was great to meet you during the June weekend in Washington, D.C. Honored to call you a teammate in the fight
against pediatric cancer. Thanks to you and Julianna for
coming to Mini's Kick It event in September. It was a grueling day with 4 straight games, but always a lot of fun for a
great cause.
Alabama Ralston. Thank you for your friendship and your amazing support of my fundraising efforts. It was great to finally
meet you this year.
ROLL TIDE!
Marcy Beasley. WAR EAGLE!
Molly Harris. Your incredible generosity has empowered so many fundraising efforts. There are a lot of lessons that
Russ taught me that I continue to use every day. And those lessons certainly aren't found in disingenous marketing
doublespeak that seems to be in vogue these days.
JGCF Raffle Drawings. THANK YOU Karsyn Bratch, Haley/Wyatt Burt,
Princeton Bryan, Cassie Lee, and Harlee Melon for conducting the raffle drawings in 2014.
Angus Bedard. Thanks for supporting the fundraisers this year. Bonne ann e.
Lynn Dorit. See you in late-January.
Erica Melon. Thank you for helping with the raffle drawings. More than that, thanks for the guidance over the
years.
Trent Broin. Thank you for donating the Wallhauler for the May raffle. Thank you for your amazing generosity
and passion to make a difference.
John Ekas. Thanks for your support all year. As referenced above, we'll get that Wallhauler to you soon.
Promise!
Linda Cutone. In a world of Polli Nofers and weps, you are preme. Very preme.
Ashlynn Banks. Thank you for contributing images to the site for fundraising efforts.
Twitter and
Facebook fans.
I never thought the small auto racing-themed website I started 17 years ago would turn into the experience it has become. Although my interest
in racing has waned, I feel blessed to have gotten to know some of you beyond the screen names.
Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation
The bulk of my fundraising efforts supported the JGCF. We had more 400 online donations and raised
nearly $20,000.
THANK YOU TO THE JGCF DONORS: Lynn Dorit, Jerry Deason, John Tritt, Alabama Ralston, Keith Woods, Valerie Hammacher, Laura Brown, Angus Bedard, Dana Woodis, Freddie Nelson, David Chatterton, Gretchen Caister, Bruce Woodley, John Ekas,
Nan Lazarowitz, Penny Fuller, Ed Woodis, Bryan Jose, Diana Ranke, Bobbie Moore, Doris Bartlett, Helen Thompson, Tanya Hirsch, Cody Cutrer, Helen Magness, Sharon Stacy,
Patty Ham, Dustin Wickizer, Kylie Mattson, Sheila White, Debbie Peck, Rick/Linda Dunn, Lynn Lullo, Ammie Hansford, Rob Caylor, Penny Fuller, Tammy Ward,
Doris Bartlett, Mark Quinn, Gilbert Bridendolph, Melvin Pulver, Brenda Nielsen, Judy Duckworth, Angi Douglass, Adam Winer,
Jodie Manasco, Susan Naniot, Brandy Moore-Gregory, Arthur Gilbert, Lynn Kane, Kim Olsen, Tracey McLaughlin, Penny Morche,
Veronica Church, Kevin Langehennig, Matt Woods, Karla Carter, Lisa Fox, Theresa Farrell, Rometta Zebrowski, David Gordon,
Rachel Russell, Rose Bahrns, Roger Messer, Deborah Carr, Delores Anderson, Jennifer Price, Nicholas Graham, Gerald Widener,
Knoxie Mathes, Peggy Beck, Lynn Vance, Joe Hopkins, Debbie Beamer, Lori Rupnow, Susie Gaskins, Carol Knuth, Patti Strickler,
Karen Reinhardt, Linda Okeley, Kenney Hales, Donna Bass, Tammy Walker, Gerald Smith, Kim Teske, Carol Young, Linda Williams,
Ouida Schall, Richard Clarke, Shanna Hinant, Karenlee Keen, Dawn Malkin, Patrick Koskan, Donald Sagendorph, Megan Moore, Stephen Palmer,
William Tice, Kenny Taylor, Tyler Griffey, Timothy Mennecke, Florence Lender, Karen Labbe, Amber Downs, Linda Ivy,
Linda Cannella, Sandy Harvey, Lisa Fielding, Kathy Eddie, Susan Jensen, Pam Downey, Ryan Asfor, Sandy Medura, Carol Kelley, Ken Geiger,
Holly Beutler, Thomas Ferreira, Justin Beller, Angie Brewer, Dale/Linda Williams, Mike Inderwies, Regina Shepherd,
Betty Mills, Nadene Martin, Corey Aiken, Justin Beller, Roberta Camara, Denise Lodderhose, Robert Drinkard, Mandi Devore, Mona Wise,
Judi Knight, Geni Wojtek, Linda McMahan, Debbie Claycamp, Reginald Miller, Mary Jane Morrison, Chris Kowalewski,
Diana Lopez, Michael Hernandez, Kenny Taylor, Tammi Leser, Richard Pacenza, Delane O'Shields, Kathleen Frolek,
Justin Beller, Bert Masters, Bonita Tracy, Chris Chaulk, Christine Martin, David Glad, Brenda Walker, Ed Adams, Patty Gonoude, Jania Grimsley, Brian Fairbanks, Brandon Sailer, Mary Bailey, Terri Binion,
Andrew Gorton, Charlita Klinger, Chris McClanahan, Rhonda Black, Linda Walker, Mary Lou Schuler,
Greg Puryear, Lisa Wolf, Keith Sterling, Jason Anhock, Chris Edwards, Alison Lane, Brigid O'Donnell, Tommy Allen, Cydney Sherman, David Scriber,
Robert Anderson, Lin McDowell, Audra Rodgers, Dorothy Lenz, Wanda Bowman, Donna Pattison, Deborah Thompson, Tina Frankfort,
Yvonne Selden, Melinda Collier, Sue Curtice, Erica Kastner, Christina Denu, James Glover, Diana Ranke, Marcy Beasley, Susan O'Banion, Shari Ogletree,
Bob Flippo, Robert Grout, Pat Lee, Kimberly Brown, Nathan Chambers, Chris Jenkins, Treavce Whitmore, Dean Hanes, Lynda Roy,
Melissa Van de Wal, Frank McGrade, Bryan Love, Deborah Tucker.
Kick It with Karsyn - Thank you Wabash, Indiana for
your incredible support of the First Annual Kick It with Karsyn event. I loved spending that weekend in your tight-knit community.
We raised $11,000 for childhood cancer research with Jeff Gordon's matching funds. Special thanks to Bill Barrows and the Morrett
Sports Complex. Thanks to Kathy Stephan Photography.
Thank you to the following donors to the event: Lynn Dorit, Melissa Rosato,
Nancy Halderman, Sheryl Bishop, Nan Lazarowitz, Kelly LaFlash, Bridget Owens, Sandy Medura, Jerry Conley, Becki Wagoner, Alabama Ralston, Angus Bedard, Angie Brewer,
Mary Lou Schuler, Janet Bragg, Alex Wickersham, Joseph Butterbaugh, Katina Beavers, Dale Adamson, Lynn Huddleston,
Marcy Beasley, Hayley Pence, Amy Pardue, Diana Ranke, Holly Beutler, Valerie Hammacher, LuAnn Jackson, Amy Edwards,
Scott/Melissa Weaver, Patty Ham, Yvonne Selden, Janet Bragg, Linda Riggs, Laura Brown, Dustin Wickizer, Erica Kastner,
Reva Chappell, Fred McCracken, Lundquist Real Estate Services, Tracy Short, MMA Minded, Jared Robinson, Patty Gonoude,
Nena Asbury, PCAT, Ashley Stuber,
Jeremy Prater, Chad Fordyce, Barry Bunker Chevrolet, Wabash Moose Family Center, Holly Bezy, Kari Schunk, Kylie Mattson,
Metz Appraisal Offices, Julie K., Kelly Thompson, Robert Mullett, Wabash FOP Lodge 83, Metz Title Company, Kokomo Pure
Vapors, Brainard Snow Removal. Special thanks to Terry LeMaster (The Noisemaker) for providing the speaker/mic and
Big R Stores for providing bottled water.
To Those I've Loved Along The Way...:
Benji- You're like a single mosquito in a dark room. That's a compliment... maybe.
Aaron- Next chapter. Begin.
Alyssa- Sunshine mixed with a little hurricane. You are truly the Perfect Storm.
Jax- Your legacy; my mission. Fight On.
Jackson's fight didn't end when he passed away in 2012. Cancer may have claimed his life, but it could never touch his soul
or his spirit. More than ever, I realize that as long as I have the
determination and passion to keep doing this, his legacy continues. With his guidance and inspiration, we Fight On.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you, Fight On.
JGCF Donations - Please make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer
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