Hi All. As some of you may have heard, I have started a fundraising campaign to raise money for one of my best friends. His name is Dino Scoppettone and he is currently battling a type of cancer called liposarcoma. He had a major surgery @ Stanford 3 weeks ago and, as if battling cancer isn't hard enough, he is looking at some pretty hefty hospital bills. You see, the Stanford docs aren't "in network" for his insurance, and he doesn't know if they will cover any of the cost. Here is the thing...even a small percentage of a lot = a lot. He chose Stanford because they have some top notch sarcoma specialist who deal with this type of cancer on a regular basis.
Here is what's happening - I am running the Silicon Valley Marathon on October 26th in Dino's name. I am hoping that people will sponsor me and Dino and help to make a dent in his hospital bills. Being a Cal Berkeley grad - raising money that will go directly to Stanford kind of pisses me off, but what's worse is this wonderful, smart, beautiful friend of mine struggling with cancer, trying to heal, looking at 15 weeks of chemo, and worrying about money. It's just not right. If he can deal with all of that - I can run a damn marathon! By the way, if there is anyone else out there who wishes to run for Team Dino - contact me. I would love a training partner!
Dino had a 30lb tumor, his right kidney, his right adrenals, part of his liver, and part of his colon removed. While he waited to get this approved, which, by the way, hasn't happened yet - some paper pusher actually labeled Dino's case as "non urgent". I guess a 30 lb tumor isn't urgent these days. Whatever.
So today was day one. I ran about 4 miles. It was hot and felt pretty good. This week I will run a few more 4 milers and then 5 this weekend. I'm sitting here thinking that in a couple of months these "4s" and "5s" are going to be replaced with "15s" and "20s"...OUCH.
I will post more about our progress and how you can donate when we get an account open in his name. He's at home healing and we haven't quite worked out the details yet. Help me get the word out!
Pray for him. Send your thoughts his way. We'll all get through this together.
Do it for Dino!
God Bless
Andi
8 comments:
Andi
You forgot to mention you have two small boys and are still making time to do this. You are awesome!!
I will do what I can to help support you. Sorry, but I won't be doing any running. :)
Do you have any pictures of Dino you can post?
Love
Deb Z
Andi,
Please give Dino a huge hug for me. I wish him the best and will be thinking about him. Everything will work out :), just like it did when we all went to the U2 concert and thought Karin lost our tickets in the parking lot, but we found them and enjoyed a great concert. :) Please let me know more about the donations. Take care. I can't wait to see you.
Love,
Amanda
You are SO AWESOME for doing this. Thanks a ton and I can't wait to follow your progress on the blog... you know I am with you every step of the way!
Love,
Dino
Andi, you're the best. I haven't seen you in years, but I know I'll see you in October. When Dino was able to get Dr. Norton, the surgeon at Stanford, I thought to myself, "Wow, my son's got the best!" I now know that it wasn't just Stanford that's "the best", it's you and all of his wonderful friends. Thanks for being there for him and for sending your love circling round us all. For Dino's mom, Mary, his stepmom (my wife) MiMi, and me, his dad, this is Dick Scoppettone saying we'll see you soon.
hi Andi...i think what you're doing is awesome! i would love to be a running partner with you. there's nothing like that support. unfortunately, i will be far from home then. but i'll do what i can from S. Korea.
best of luck!
Christine
Andi,
I can't believe you have 2 kids and are running a marathon!!! Very impressive!! I might be moving to Seattle in August and would love to reconnect. I would be happy to sponsor you so let me know what I can do to help.
-Sierra Versaggi
oohh I'm living in Boise now.
208-861-1772 call me!
Andi,
As human beings we strive to be greater then ourselves, but in the end we all want to just see goodness and kindness among each other. You have achived that more times, just with this one thing. I salute you, for your unconditional sacfrice in the words of "friendship"! You are the stone in the pond, and my family is in awe by you and your circle!
Go Andi!
Gene`
Post a Comment