The purpose of Tri4Life is to raise money for families of children with life-threatening illnesses. We know this is not the strongest fundraising economy, but we need your support to help our 2009/2010 recipient family, Heather, Mackenzie and Madison Ray, fight a very tough battle. Before going into the Ray family’s moving story, here is a quick note on last year’s efforts.

Last year's fund-raising effort was very successful and Tri4Life was able to pay for one year's worth of uninsured medical and related expenses for our 2008 recipients, the Bernard family.

We are thrilled to report that Minaya Bernard (see picture below), a five-year old girl who was suffering from a brain tumor, appears to have responded very well to therapy and looks to be on her way to a full recovery. We want to deeply thank all of you who contributed last year – your contribution made a direct impact in helping to improve (and potentially save) Minaya’s life.

2009/2010 Fundraising Effort

We are starting our 2009/2010 fundraising drive with the goal of raising $100,000 for Tri4Life's fund; and we expect to use most of these funds to provide support for a new recipient – the Ray family of Cincinnati, Ohio. As you will see from the story and pictures below, Heather, Mackenzie and Madison Ray are an amazing family. Both Mackenzie (age 4) and Heather (mom to Mackenzie and Madison) are fighting tough battles. They can use all the help they can get for medical expenses and we are determined to make 2009 T4L’s most successful fundraising campaign yet.
Before getting into the Ray family’s story, a few words on the idea behind Tri4Life. We recruit people who are competing in races (or events of any kind -- basketball teams, etc.) to use their sports as a platform to raise sponsorships from friends, colleagues and family. 100% of the money raised goes directly to helping Tri4Life's recipient family (or families), making training, racing and sports much more meaningful, while helping someone in need. For example, through participation in a number of triathlons and road races in 2008, we raised approx. $35,000. Of course the race / sports aspect is nothing more than a hook for people to give to a good cause. The Ironman World Championship and the New York City Marathon are coming up in October and November, and we are dedicating our participation in these events (and proceeds raised) to Heather, Mackenzie and Madison.

The Ray Family’s Story

Heather Ray and her daughters, Madison (5) and Mackenzie (4) live in Cincinnati, OH. In early 2009, Mackenzie (see pictures below) was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). NF1 is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of noncancerous tumors called neurofibromas. These tumors can grow on the ends of the nerves behind the eyes (which can cause blindness), near the ear (which can cause deafness) in the chest wall and in the brain, which can cause seizures and death. This life-threatening disease strikes 1 in 3,000 and the symptomatic dangers increase with age.

Mackenzie was born with two spots; one large one on the side of her hip and another one on her left hand and wrist. The doctors and nurses initially thought they were birth marks, as did Heather. No one thought anything of it. A year or so later, a new doctor asked some typical diagnostic questions and went on to explain the symptoms of NF1, which included skin spots. The doctor explained that having more than six spots was a red flag -- Mackenzie had over 20. When Heather took Mackenzie to Children’s Hospital, they noted several other NF1 symptoms.

Another troubling NF1 symptom, which generally appears around age three, is severe spinal scoliosis, which Mackenzie was diagnosed with earlier this year. Additional serious symptoms include learning disabilities and seizures, neither of which have manifested as of yet. As of now, there is no treatment and no cure for NF1 – there is only the process of continued frequent diagnostic evaluations and symptom analyses.

Heather (picture below) received Mackenzie’s NF1 diagnosis at the worst possible time. Heather is fighting her latest battle in what has been essentially a life-long war against cancer. Heather thought she had experienced the biggest battle of her life in 1982 when she fought cancer at 13 and, consequently, lost her leg. This amputation was followed by a year and a half of brutal chemotherapy. However, following the birth of Mackenzie in March 2006, Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer, with two positive nodes under her arm. Heather then went through a year of chemo treatment while caring for new born Mackenzie, along with Madison, who was 20 months older. Once treatment was done, Heather had a double mastectomy and reconstruction.

Shortly following this surgery, Heather’s marriage ended in divorce. This was obviously a profoundly difficult time for Heather, but she was resolutely determined to be brave and positive for her daughters. In Heather’s words, her view on life at this point was, “ I have two girls who need their mommy. Life had to go on. Fight the battle.”

But, after a year of relative calm, the bottom fell out -- in May 2008, just two years shy of being cancer-free, Heather lost her job. The very next day she found a lump under her arm. The cancer was back and had spread to the third layer of her chest tissue and her remaining femur. The battle was on again, but this time she had no job. Thankfully, a portion of her medical expenses were covered by COBRA, a funding source that Heather knew would eventually run out.

In April 2009, after another year of chemo treatment, Heather was again declared cancer-free. She had been through more than anyone should in one lifetime and was now ready to restart her life. But that was not meant to be. Six weeks later, on Friday, May 29, 2009, Heather found a black and blue lump below her collar bone about the size of the palm of her hand. It had appeared out of nowhere. She immediately went to the doctor and had a CT scan -- the cancer was back. This time it had also spread to the lymph nodes in Heather’s neck. Heather started therapy in early June 2009 and will continue receiving treatment every Monday -- potentially for many years.

The Ray’s Current Situation

Heather can not currently work, as she is receiving intense chemotherapy treatments that are brutal and debilitating. Unfortunately, Heather’s COBRA coverage will terminate in mid-November – at the worst possible time. To give you a sense of the significance of Heather’s medical bills: the primary chemo drug that Heather is administered each Monday costs $6,900 per month – and this does not include the numerous additional medications and procedures that are part of Heather’s treatment. Total monthly medical expenses top $20,000! Heather is currently depleting her 401K funds to meet uninsured expenses and her parents have sold their house in Virginia and moved to Cincinnati to help fight the battle as well. Unfortunately, the money is running out quickly, as is Heather’s COBRA coverage.

Heather is a single mother to Madison and Mackenzie (who needs constant, costly medical check-ups) and is everything to her daughters. Put simply (in Heather’s words), “my daughters need their mother – I am their whole world – I will keep fighting and never, ever quit”. And even as Heather fights her ongoing cancer battle and faces impending financial problems, she has continued as an inspirational activist for The Susan G. Komen Foundation, raising $31,000 in the past year! Tri4Life must do whatever we can to help Heather, Mackenzie and Madison in their battle to keep Heather alive.

Here is a ten minute video of Heather's story, which will give you a better sense of her fighting spirit:

What can you do to help?

Again, we know this is not the strongest fundraising economy, but we desperately need your help! Any donation would be very much appreciated. If you would like to contribute, please send a check made out to Tri4Life to the following address:

Jesse Du Bey

Providence Equity

9 West 57th Street

Suite 4700

New York, NY 10019

With Questions Please Contact:

Jesse Du Bey - Co-Founder

Sonja Du Bey - Co-Founder

Ryan Stanbery - Head of Technology Services

Tri4Life is a Washington not-for-profit corporation with an official 501(c)3 designation – this makes any donations tax deductible (in the United States).

Although the money raised by this summer's fund-raising effort will likely focus primarily on the Ray family’s medical and related expenses, Tri4Life has a broader purpose and may also allocate funds to additional recipients, if feasible and appropriate.  In any event, 100% of funds raised will be used for paying medical and related expenses for Tri4Life’s recipient families.  I am happy to share more details with anyone who is interested.