Running NYC with my best friend and NOW my other best friend and husband!!!
October 2013
This year I am honored and blessed to be running the New York City marathon with my husband, Jock and my best friend, Jacqui Duke as members of Team Ritter. Words cannot fully express how these two, amazing people brought me out of such a terrible darkness.
My family, like many that has been stricken with this deadly, but preventable disease, suffered the loss of both my father shortly after he retired in 1997 and my 39-year old sister in 2008. I am often at a loss when attempting to describe those two significant moments in my life. I recall glimpses of moments after my father’s death… standing in the shower, feeling
desperate and just wishing I can go to heaven with him; nightmares that would wake me up screaming and falling to the floor. I remember the complete devastation, after hearing my sister had died- sitting on the floor in the hallway sobbing, with my children coming out to find out what was wrong; standing numb in my closet with utter disbelief that I had to find clothes to wear for my sister’s funeral, thinking that I may not make it to the age of forty and wondering why it wasn’t me instead.
Do you know that feeling when you’re lost? The panic and fear that creeps through your soul? How did you find your safe haven? How did you find peace? I found my safe haven with my family, friends, and with my husband and children’s arms wrapped around me. I found purpose and peace through running, with the help of my sweet Jacqui; and through our family’s involvement with the John Ritter Foundation. Both Jock and Jacqui have joined me in raising money and awareness of aortic disease, for that, I am humbled and blessed.
Jock wrote in his application to run with Team Ritter this year,
“As a husband I’ve had to watch the initial shock and devastation that a sudden loss can have on a family, but even more painful is the long lasting emotional scars that it leaves behind. One of the reasons I would like to be a member of Team Ritter, is not only to raise money or awareness, but to give back to the JRF Foundation because it many ways it has given me my wife back and my children their mom. The John Ritter Foundation has been in large part the reason Cathy has found peace and healing despite the devastation of losing both her father and sister. JRF has allowed her to share her story and to be an inspiration to others.”
Please help us continue to raise awareness and research of aortic disease and prevent deaths by donating to the John Ritter Foundation.
October 2013
This year I am honored and blessed to be running the New York City marathon with my husband, Jock and my best friend, Jacqui Duke as members of Team Ritter. Words cannot fully express how these two, amazing people brought me out of such a terrible darkness.
My family, like many that has been stricken with this deadly, but preventable disease, suffered the loss of both my father shortly after he retired in 1997 and my 39-year old sister in 2008. I am often at a loss when attempting to describe those two significant moments in my life. I recall glimpses of moments after my father’s death… standing in the shower, feeling
desperate and just wishing I can go to heaven with him; nightmares that would wake me up screaming and falling to the floor. I remember the complete devastation, after hearing my sister had died- sitting on the floor in the hallway sobbing, with my children coming out to find out what was wrong; standing numb in my closet with utter disbelief that I had to find clothes to wear for my sister’s funeral, thinking that I may not make it to the age of forty and wondering why it wasn’t me instead.
Do you know that feeling when you’re lost? The panic and fear that creeps through your soul? How did you find your safe haven? How did you find peace? I found my safe haven with my family, friends, and with my husband and children’s arms wrapped around me. I found purpose and peace through running, with the help of my sweet Jacqui; and through our family’s involvement with the John Ritter Foundation. Both Jock and Jacqui have joined me in raising money and awareness of aortic disease, for that, I am humbled and blessed.
Jock wrote in his application to run with Team Ritter this year,
“As a husband I’ve had to watch the initial shock and devastation that a sudden loss can have on a family, but even more painful is the long lasting emotional scars that it leaves behind. One of the reasons I would like to be a member of Team Ritter, is not only to raise money or awareness, but to give back to the JRF Foundation because it many ways it has given me my wife back and my children their mom. The John Ritter Foundation has been in large part the reason Cathy has found peace and healing despite the devastation of losing both her father and sister. JRF has allowed her to share her story and to be an inspiration to others.”
Please help us continue to raise awareness and research of aortic disease and prevent deaths by donating to the John Ritter Foundation.
I'M RUNNING THE NYC MARATHON... Take 2
July 2013
I'm running the New York City marathon... I can't say AGAIN, because it never took place. The reasons that I want to run and continue to support the John Ritter Foundation have not changed. I am thankful for all the generous donations from last year. All of my wonderful friends and family that donated, I want to let you know that your contributions make a difference. Donations to the John Ritter Foundation goes towards the following:
This year, I am grateful to have my dear, sweet friend, Jacqui Duke run with me. She is running with Team Ritter and has committed to raise funds for the John Ritter Foundation. Jacqui is the reason I started running and her friendship and encouragement has helped me get through the first few years after losing Marianne.
Please consider to support my fundraising efforts once again. My personal goal is to spread the word and see that the efforts of JRF have helped reduce the incidence of deaths related to such a preventable disease.
- Provide support, information, and resources to individuals diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysms/dissections and their families
- Aortic disease awareness and education activities
- Research to identify the genes which predispose individuals to aortic and other vascular aneurysms/dissections
This year, I am grateful to have my dear, sweet friend, Jacqui Duke run with me. She is running with Team Ritter and has committed to raise funds for the John Ritter Foundation. Jacqui is the reason I started running and her friendship and encouragement has helped me get through the first few years after losing Marianne.
Please consider to support my fundraising efforts once again. My personal goal is to spread the word and see that the efforts of JRF have helped reduce the incidence of deaths related to such a preventable disease.
I'M RUNNING THE NYC MARATHON!!!!
June 2012
March 2006- In NY, visiting Marianne after Mackenzie was born.
I've been selected to run for Team Ritter to support the John Ritter Foundation
for Aortic Health in the NYC marathon on Sunday, November 4, 2012 in honor of my sister and
father who passed away from an aortic dissection and ruptured aneurysm. You may
remember John Ritter as “Jack” on the sitcom “Three’s Company” back in the
80’s. Some of you may not be aware, but John Ritter died suddenly from an
aortic dissection in September 2003. His wife, Amy Yasbeck,
started the foundation shortly after John’s death with the focus of thoracic
aortic disease education, support, and research. This year the John Ritter
Foundation was named one of the charities for the NYC marathon. Needless to say
I was very excited and a bit nervous when I received a call from Amy Yasbeck that I had been one of fifteen runners selected to
run for the foundation.
Running a marathon is not an easy feat. I ran my first marathon this past January and my second in March. It’s hard… both mentally and physically. I really had no intention to run another one until maybe next year, but when I saw the opportunity to support a cause that provides education, support, and research in the disease that two of my immediate family members had died from, I felt compelled to apply to run.
Please help my fundraising efforts to provide awareness and research regarding aortic diseases. My brother, Michael and I are at risk for developing an aortic dissection as well as my children, Natalie and Andrew; Marianne’s daughter, Mackenzie; and Michael’s brand new baby boy, Colton. Funds are not only geared towards research in identification of other genes but also in education to health care providers so that proper treatment is provided with those with a family history such as ours.
My goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support the John Ritter Foundation. While I was in nursing school, Marianne had told me to, “Think big and dream big and wonderful things can happen.” I hope that you will donate to my fundraising page for this cause. If your company matches donations to charities, you may be able to double your contribution with a corporate matching gift. Lastly, if you would please forward this email on to those in your address book for additional contributions, I would greatly appreciate it. Below is the link to my fundraising page:
http://www.crowdrise.com/cathyquitaniapool
In my application to run, I had to write out ‘My Story’. My story will give you a better idea why this is so important to me. Click the link below to read my story:
From the bottom of my heart (and out through my aorta), thank you,
Cathy
Running a marathon is not an easy feat. I ran my first marathon this past January and my second in March. It’s hard… both mentally and physically. I really had no intention to run another one until maybe next year, but when I saw the opportunity to support a cause that provides education, support, and research in the disease that two of my immediate family members had died from, I felt compelled to apply to run.
Please help my fundraising efforts to provide awareness and research regarding aortic diseases. My brother, Michael and I are at risk for developing an aortic dissection as well as my children, Natalie and Andrew; Marianne’s daughter, Mackenzie; and Michael’s brand new baby boy, Colton. Funds are not only geared towards research in identification of other genes but also in education to health care providers so that proper treatment is provided with those with a family history such as ours.
My goal is to raise at least $10,000 to support the John Ritter Foundation. While I was in nursing school, Marianne had told me to, “Think big and dream big and wonderful things can happen.” I hope that you will donate to my fundraising page for this cause. If your company matches donations to charities, you may be able to double your contribution with a corporate matching gift. Lastly, if you would please forward this email on to those in your address book for additional contributions, I would greatly appreciate it. Below is the link to my fundraising page:
http://www.crowdrise.com/cathyquitaniapool
In my application to run, I had to write out ‘My Story’. My story will give you a better idea why this is so important to me. Click the link below to read my story:
From the bottom of my heart (and out through my aorta), thank you,
Cathy