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Dave & Lisa
Lisa lost her fight with colon cancer on March 18, 2005.
She left behind her husband Dave and son Matthew.
Lisa fought Colon Cancer for 5 years. After her diagnosis she went through two surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation treatment and homeopathic therapy.
We hoped for remission until we got the terrible news the cancer was now 4th stage and spread to her lungs.
We new then it was now a matter of prolonging her life. Through research Lisa became knowledgable about her treatments and her disease.
She knew that her life would not be saved, but continued pursuing trials at Roswell Park Cancer Institute because she knew it may some day help someone else.
Lisa continued to work when possible and raise her family the best she could, even when side effects of her treatments were so severe.
She could have chose not to continue with treatments but she wouldn't and fought to the end with any trial that was available to her, in hope of finding a cure if not for herself for someone else.
Lisa touched many, many people in her life and befriended all of them…young, old, rich and poor.
She always put others first.
All of the doctors & nurses she came in contact with were amazed at her courage, strength, determination and her will.
Lisa did everything possible to live her life to the fullest, and at the same time to help others.
She let nothing keep her down. Many times, after surgery, chemo or radiation, she would be very sick and weak but, as soon as she was possibly able, she would be up,& fighting back again… going back to work at Catholic Charities, being a mother, wife and friend to all those she came in contact with.
During her hospital stays, as soon as she was able to get out of bed, she would walk around the floors with her IV's, in her robe and look into the other patients rooms.
She would always feel bad for those who were unable to get out of their beds and in many instances motivate these patients, saying things like “Look at me, yesterday I couldn’t get out of bed, today I'm walking and you will be too.”
At one point, Lisa actually passed out while trying to help a young man who was suffering with cancer and was unsighted…she was an inspiration to all who knew her.
These are only a few of the many reasons that everyone loved Lisa.
Everyone of us knows someone who has been effected by this horrible disease. On their behalf, please help us to carry on with Lisa's Legacy.
For Lisa, for YOUR family & friends & for yourself hopefully, someday soon the “C” word can become a thing of the past.
At 47, Lisa was taken away from us much too soon in her life.
I love her more than anything and I miss her deeply.
but I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with her, and PROUD to say that she was my wife and best friend.
Dave
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Although Lisa was terribly sick, she had a passion to leave a legacy...that legacy was to help in finding a cure for Colorectal Cancer.
In an effort to do this, she imposed suffering upon herself in the form of clinical trials, unproven drugs and alternative methods of treatments.
We realize many families have a similar story and we share our sorrow with you.
Please join us in making this run a success, for that will mean Lisa's suffering was not in vain.
Mom and Dad
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Kindness, loving, generous, forgiving, beautiful, comforting, wonderfull vacations together, and, most of all, sharing her stories with me.
This is who my sister-in-law was to me. I love her and miss her very much.
Please join us May 11th and help make her day a special one for a special person. Deb
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Lisa's Son Matthew
It has taken me a few years to find the words to describe the loss that we felt when my mother passed. It's a common question asked for school papers in elementary school that never really requires to much thought: Who is your hero and why? First you have to ask yourself, what is a hero? A hero is someone who teaches you right from wrong, someone that will stand up for what they believe in, and someone that will help you when you can't be anymore down and out. My mother was all of these things and more. She had so much love and compassion for her family, friends, and for people that she never even knew. She taught me respect, how to live based on morals, and most of all, love other people. When she passed it would have been like Batman leaving Gotham or Superman leaving Metropolis, the cities would be lost and dark. The second question you have to ask yourself is, who has influenced you the most in your life? I would imagine that it is not easy being a single mother left to be the only provider of a famly, but she did just that without complaining. She taught me how to work hard to get the things that i wanted as well as have a little fun in the meantime. It is difficult to know how different my life would have been if she was still here, but i do know this. That my wedding, graduation, and maybe even one day the birth of children, will all loose just a little bit of luster because she won't be sitting first row to see them, and we all know that's exacly where she would be. I think about her everyday of my life and i have never loved or have missed anyone as much as I miss her. In conclusion, the answer to that question is that my hero is my mother, and if you need more of an explanation why, come to the race and you won't have any questions left to ask. Matt
When I lost my big sister, I lost someone I could really talk to.
I didn't realize how much I depended on her until she left...She was an incredibly strong and beautiful women. In my entire life I'd never, ever known anyone so selfless and so kind to everyone.
If you knew Lisa, you knew this was true. How do you become a person like this?
And when she suffered, she suffered so much, she was so strong and she fought so hard to stay with us.
She sounds like a saint, but she was so much more than that, she was my sister, she was a daughter, she was a wife and a mother, and she was my friend.
I miss her so much sometimes, it just hurts...I wouldn't want anyone else to have to go through what my sister did or what my family has gone through and I know Lisa wouldn't want this either.
This is the only way we can help other people, so please join us.
Cindy
As Lisa's first anniversary approaches I am amazed by two things - how quickly time flies and how "present" Lisa feels to me.
Her five year colon cancer battle has focused and motivated her family to keep Lisa's dream alive by finding a colon cancer cure.
There are many opportunties to support worthy causes from well known Hunter's Hope to Breast Cancer month! Would you believe that Lisa's benefit is the first run for colon cancer? How many people do you know who died of it?
Lisa's friend,
Marcia McCarthy
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In every race there's a point where you feel like quitting. When you say to yourself, it's alright, i'll just walk a liitle bit and pull my self together.
Your body chokes for air. You see the suffering all around you.
It would be so easy just to quit.
To give in.
To be able to breathe.
But you don't quit.
You can't.
You reach down and find something inside that you didn't know you had.
Something you would have never found if you would have quit.
Suddenly, the pain seems to go away. You dig deeper, find more, push harder and finish strong.
And, at that moment, when you reach the end, you've never felt more alive.
My sister, Lisa, never quit.
She had more inside her than anyone ever knew.
She lived life like you run a race.
Go out hard, endure the pain.
Feel compassion for the suffering around you.
And always save something special for the end.
Please come to our race and help celebrate her life.
Run hard, enjoy the spring time, the music, the drinks -and thank God to be alive. John
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From the time I was old enough to spend the night at my Aunt Lisa's house with my cousin Matt I was hooked on staying there.
I don't know why, maybe it was because my cousin and I played an endless amount of video games or because of everytime I went there I got to try a new recipe or so I can simply talk about the time my mom wrestled pigs (unfortunatly thats not true but it still made a good story)A major part of my childhood was spent growing up there and trying to tolerate Uncle Dave, which I am glad to say I can finally deal with him.
Its hard knowing that shes gone now and it was a difficult thing to accept even now it just seems like she's running late to family gatherings, but it brings me ease knowing that memories live forever and my memory of her will never be forgotten. Mikey
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Lisa was a good friend.
She always noticed and talked to everyone, especially those who were more introverted.
People felt safe telling her their problems because she was sincerely concerned, even during her suffering.
Children loved Lisa, she had a special relationship with them.
One of Lisa's main concerns was the welfare of her family in the future.
Lisa's courage was outstanding, she gave hope to others. She taught me many things about what is important in life.
I was blest in knowing Lisa....I miss her and I love her. Aunt Janet
My brother- in-law was diagnosed shortly after Lisa, he followed her path all the way.
Although they never met, he truely admired her..
Lisa's courage and optimism boosted his spirit time and time again.
BECAUSE SHE FINISHED THE CHEMO TRIAL, IT WAS PUT ON THE MARKET AND HE COULD USE THE DRUG.
I think of Lisa often rememering her suffering and yet her unbelievable faith and optimism.
She taught me a great deal about listening to God and following his plan.
I still feel her spirit and presence.
Rose: a counselor at Catholic Charities
My husband and Lisa were on the same drug regime, but, thanks to Lisa, he had a little more time with us.
My sister always kept him aware of how Lisa was trying new drugs with the hope of helping him to be able to start on them.
He did and was very grateful to her for what she did. Hopefully they know one another on a different plane now.
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