On Saturday, September 21, 2002 in Hudson Ohio,
the Monastra Family hosted their First Annual Joseph
C. Monastra Race to Make A Difference for Pancreatic
Cancer Research. The participants had the option
to chose from a 5K run or a 1mile walk, with nearly
250 registered participants, and over 30 volunteers.
We were honored with guest speakers, such as Hudson's
City Manager, Michael Morton, Congressman Tom Sawyer,
and Dr. Christine Iacobuzio-Donahue from Johns Hopkins.
Their presence alone was a tribute to Joseph and
the cause we are helping to champion.
Our sponsors, need mention for without
them this event would not have been the success that
it was: Ross Products, I.J. Kim Martial Arts, Spectrum
Surgical Instruments, Moen Inc., Advanced Health Systems,
Inc., Western Reserve Printing, and the Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). All corporate contributions
were donated directly to Johns Hopkins University in
the Joseph C. Monastra Fund, earmarked for pancreas
cancer research.
Participants were from all ages, 5 and
younger to 60 and over. The top runner, Tommy Noyes
of North Canton Ohio, finished with a time of 16:37.
An amazing finish. Two of Joe's grandchildren, Jason
and Tyler Saunders finished 1st in their age bracket,
beating their own personal records.
The Sponsors and "Day of Race" Donators
were amazing. Distallata donated gallons and gallons
of water; Clif Bar/Luna Bar donated nutrition bars,
with pastries and bagels coming from Brueggers Bagels,
Panera, & Krispy Kreme Donuts; Acme, the local
grocery store out-did-themselves, supplying tons of
fruit and water; CVS donated all the goodie bags and
filled them with products; Step2 donated play yard
equipment to keep all the children occupied while teenagers
from the Hudson High School volunteered to do face
painting. One of our major sponsors, I.J. Kim Martial
Arts brought their Nationally Recognized Team of Athletes
to entertain all with amazing skills, such as, cement
block breaking, board breaking, self defense demo,
and much more. Another sponsor, Ross Products, the
makers of Ensure and Prosure (a new supplemental drink
especially designed for cancer patients undergoing
chemotherapy and radiation), came in from Columbus
to spend the weekend and set up a display at the event
and made themselves available to answer questions and
offer advise. It truly was a family event.
D.J.'s - Terry Swanson (son-in-law) and
Mike Talbot (friend of family), well let's just say
they kept things lively!!!!
We are immensely grateful and blessed beyond
any words of gratitude, because what we have discovered,
beyond the grasp of this "Silent Killer" we all know
as Pancreas Cancer, is a true sense of hope and commitment
- from the families championing the cause, to those
bright, talented, and energetic doctors and scientists
committed to making a difference at Johns Hopkins University.
Some day with the continued support and commitment
we too will be Racing for the Cure.
God Bless, love and hope.
The Family of Joseph C. Monastra
