3rd Annual Moving for the Cure Recap

By Meredith McGuffage | August 25, 2022

Thank you to everyone who helped make TeamCCF’s 3rd Annual Moving for the Cure (M4C) a success! Each M4C participant elected to complete any athletic activity of their choosing—such as running, biking, hiking, swimming, yoga, dancing, and more—during the week of July 24-30, 2022. The goal of M4C is to encourage the cholangiocarcinoma community to participate in fun, healthy activities while also raising awareness and funding for the Foundation’s mission.

The 3rd Annual Moving for the Cure had 450 participants from 29 states and 10 countries. Altogether, this amazing group raised $57,000! Thank you for being an important part of supporting the cholangiocarcinoma community!

Below are a few highlights from this year’s event.

We hope you’ll join us for next year’s M4C, scheduled for Sunday, July 23 – Saturday, July 29, 2023!

Molly Wirt of Indianapolis participated in M4C in honor of her husband Brian who was diagnosed on July 30, 2021, one day before his daughter’s third birthday. Molly and Brian have two kids, Robbie and Lucy. Molly raised a total of $2,679.89. “We have a wonderful support system including our kids’ daycare, Beech Tree House. They created an M4C team, got the teachers shirts, got the kids involved in movement activities, and shared information with other families at the daycare. Almost half of our donations came from people associated with the daycare!”

Francesca Clementi participated in M4C all the way from Recanati, Italy. Francesca writes, “I was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma with metastasis to the peritoneum and ovaries on November 29, 2019. I lost my job because of the disease...my life turned upside down, but I fought. Now after the fifth surgery, the situation is 'stable'.” Francesca is thankful and is always looking to help and support others. She joined Moving for the Cure to be active and to help her fellow warriors.

Melissa Moccaldi of New York lost her father, Joseph Lopardo, on April 29, 2022. Melissa and her family signed up for Moving for the Cure soon after his passing. "My father, Joseph Lopardo, was the most amazing dad anyone could have asked for. My dad battled cholangiocarcinoma bravely for fourteen months. His cancer journey did not end in the way in which we all hoped. I am ‘moving for a cure’ so others’ journeys end differently." Melissa's daughters also helped with her fundraising efforts by hosting a lemonade stand that raised over $1,000!

Hee Ling Wong of Kuala Lumpur and her siblings joined Moving for the Cure for the third year with Team Rising Phoenix. They formed their team in memory of their sister, Hee Foong Wong. Hee Ling used Facebook to energize her team members from all over the world. “And … we are grooving, dancing, hiking, walking, line dancing, rock climbing, rollerblading, vertical climbing ... ohhhh yeahhhh … we were MOVING for the Cure 2022 (… to the tune of Play that Funky Music).” Hee Ling remarked that, in Malaysia, “20 of us stepped … moving more than 273,968 steps in 1 day and, more importantly, created awareness for cholangiocarcinoma and the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.”

Diana Park of McKinney, Texas, organized a walk at her local park for the second year with Team Janine in honor of her mom. Each participant received a custom finisher’s medal after completing 4-6 laps around the park. Diana is a teacher and coach at a local middle school, which also participates in “Light it Green” every February in support of Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month. Her students surprised Diana this year by coming to the M4C walk she organized and supporting Team Janine. Diana wrote, “As we were waiting for everyone to come this morning, I looked up and saw this herd of girls crossing the mini bridge and making their way towards us... And at that moment my heart exploded. It was such a special moment. These girls took time to not only wake up early on a Saturday morning but did it to support me.”