Team CCF: A Year in Review
This past year, Team CCF had record numbers with their marathon teams. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon team had 29 runners and raised $92,316.84. The TCS New York City Marathon team had 17 runners and raised $120,041.93.
Choose Your Challenge was launched in the Fall. It allows individuals or teams to participate in local athletic events and raise money for the Foundation in their hometown. Twenty-six teams signed up and raised over $50,000.
Every Team CCF member is asked, “What is your WHY?”
Sam Elson, from Ontario, Canada, answered, “I loved running the New York marathon in memory of my mom. It meant a lot to me and my family. I really enjoyed raising money and awareness for such an important cause while meeting people with shared experiences. I also genuinely loved the training process so much!”
Kristina Gutierrez of Redlands, California, answered, “My late husband Martin Gutierrez, at age 37, passed away last May 30, 2022, from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. I run in honor of Martin, and I want to help increase awareness and raise money for a cause that is so rare, and that doesn’t get as much attention.”
Kathy Szczur and Beth Berlage have organized a Turkey Trot for the past four years in memory of Kathy’s husband, Jerry. Named Jerry’s Blue Jays, the women have raised $8,500 over the years. Kathy said, “Asking for money is not my favorite thing to do, but I discovered that my best friend had set up this team, Jerry’s Blue Jays, in my husband’s honor, and we have been working together since. With the help of the people behind Team CCF, it is very easy to set up a personal fundraising page and take it from there. Our goal with our Turkey Trot event is to make it a “group” effort and have fun.”
Beth added, “For as hard as it is to have lost Jerry to CCA, being part of his Blue Jays “Turkey Trotting” Team each Fall is becoming a fun and touching way to kick off the holiday season with family, friends, and new acquaintances. It’s an opportunity to recall and share Jerry’s caring and generous spirit in creative and healthy ways that generate awareness of CCF and provide much-needed financial support to the Foundation.
Our team members tell us that their main reasons for joining Team CCF are to honor their loved ones and to raise awareness of CCA and the excellent resources the Foundation offers patients and caregivers.
Team CCF will continue to be something that our Cholangio community can join to have fun with their family and friends and raise awareness and funds for the Foundation. In January, look for information about ways you can support the Foundation during February’s Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month.
