.:: TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT TODAY'S EVENT ::.

(Advanced / Discounted Tickets No Longer For Sale)

A special thank you to our sponsors – The Blind Pig, Miller Lite, BlockShopper, Cook & Marcis, LLP and the Technology Recovery Group.  The generosity and support shown at this year’s event was another display of the incredible community RAI has surrounding it in the ongoing fight against adolescent and young adult cancer.  Thanks to all who attended and supported the cause!

The Chicago Marathon was hotter than expected, but Mike and Pat both raced well. Pat clocked an impressive 3:30 in the 80degree heat! Mike was behind him, finishing at 3:45. It was Mike's 10th Marathon, with an ironic date of 10/10/10!

More importantly, Mike and Pat raised nearly $3,500 for the cause! They spoke with family and friends, distributed information, and Pat even went to the effort of flying in from Dallas to host an event at 3 Birds Restaurant in Cleveland, OH; $1,500 was raised that evening alone!

Mike and Pat would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported them, both with RAI and their training. They feel that they trained harder this year over any previous marathon because they were running for such a great cause.

Original Announcement

2010 Chicago Marathon
October 10, 2010

Mike and Pat Kelly have run 15 marathons between them, and countless other races. They have NEVER asked for money or run for a charity before. After a lot of thought and consideration, Mike and Pat have decided to support RAI, and in turn hope you will also.

Mike and Pat are running the 2010 Chicago Marathon together for RAI. They are not asking for any money to go towards Marathon Fees or Travel. All money will go directly to RAI. They have a fundraising goal of $2000. In order to reach this goal and help RAI, we need YOUR help. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.

"Colin O'Donoghue was one of those guys that would make you smile when he wasn't even trying too. He was always ready to laugh, smile, and have some fun. All of those are among the favorite things that Mike and Pat Kelly also enjoy. That is why the Kelly family and the O'Donoghue family have known and been friends for such a long time. Our Dads wrestled together at St. Edward High School. And later in our lives, Pat and Mike got to be friends with Colin and Ryan O'Donoghue, although we had known each other throughout grade school.

Colin fought a two year battle with cancer in 2003. Six months after aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Colin was able to announce that his cancer was in remission. Mike actually remembers him dancing on a bar having fun in Lakewood, Ohio. Excited that he was healthy again and everyone cheering for him because he beat cancer. Sadly the cancer returned three months after this announcement. After further aggressive treatments and surgeries, Colin passed away 14 months later, August 1st, 2005. Rise Above It (RAI) is a non-profit organization founded in Colin's spirit that it continues to grow to this day. We hope you will support us with our fundraising efforts."

-Mike and Pat Kelly

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Silver Sponsors

• University Hospitals / Rainbow Babies Children's Hospital (www.rainbowbabies.org/hemonc)

Bronze Sponsors

• Classic Diagnostic Imaging (www.classic-imaging.com)
• Hospitality Restaurants (www.hrcleveland.com)
• Hot Dog Heaven (www.hotdogheaven.com)
• Hyland Software (www.hyland.com)
• Ironwood Cafe (www.ironwoodcafe.com)
• Reis Remodeling (www.reisremodeling.com)
• The Bay Foundation (thevillagefdn.org)
• The Pub
• Don Jolley
• Rick & Christine Jones

Original Announcement

Rock'n'Roll Marathon and ½
San Diego, CA
June 6, 2010

Trevor Capiccioni, a former St. Edward wrestling teammate of Colin O'Donoghue, has chosen to co-launch RAI's Race Team. A beginner to endurance running and training, he just started in the Summer of 2009. He was a part of the Akron Marathon Team Relay on 9/26/09, and finished his first Half Marathon at the Cleveland Fall Classic in Strongsville, OH on 11/22/09. Combining his passion for Rise Above It (RAI), and competing in races, he’s going to leverage such passions to help raise cancer awareness and donations by officially launching the "RAI Race Team" at all future races such as the Rock and Roll San Diego Marathon on 6/6/10, and the Kaua'i Marathon in Hawaii on 9/5/10. His vision is to attract other racers who share his same passions and to eventually have racers competing in races all over the Country and World at any one given time on RAI's behalf. If you'd like to join this new and exciting team, please visit the main RAI Race Team Page and submit your contact information.

Pledge your support for Trevor!

We were at the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. The race is limited to the first 150 registered runners. Trail races are very popular so the field filled up in two weeks in February.

The rain started about 5:15am and never did stop. The race started at 6:30am. I ran the race in 4:17 and came in 7th place overall for the marathon.

It was an amazing experience and I fell very blessed to be given this opportunity.

Thank You again for your support – Chris

Below is a list of Family and Friends who have been affected by Cancer and were represented on the day of the race:

1. Albert Jaskiewicz (CJ)
2. Charles Jaskiewicz (CJ)
3. Grandma Miller (CJ)
4. Jim Sparks (CJ)
5. Bill Via (CJ)
6. Shirley Davis (CJ)
7. Jim Burgham (CJ)
8. Polly Iannizzaro (Kristin Jaskiewicz)
9. Carol White (Nick Paratore)
10. LleanaMontanaro (Mike O' Connor)
11. Richard Noble (Rick Noble)
12. Colin O'Donoghue (Ryan O'Donoghue)
13. Martha Rossi (Henry Hall)
14. Alyson Rossi – Smith (Henry Hall)
15. Gina Santangelo (Alexis Santangelo)
16. Kelly Bloomingdale (Alexis Santangelo)
17. Ruth Rex (Alexis Santangelo)
18. Vince SantangeloSr (Alexis Santangelo)
19. Valerie Santangelo-Golubic (Alexis Santangelo)
20. Monica Westfall (Alexis Santangelo)
21. William J. Rea (Adam Davis)
22. Edith M. Rea (Adam Davis)
23. Kathy Rea (Adam Davis)
24. Gina Rea (Adam Davis)
25. Karen Nicholas (Deryck Toles)
26. John Toles Sr.(Deryck Toles)
27. Bill Brocious (Dominic Spelich)
28. Marj Warner (Steve Warner)
29. Rose Wells (Cook Forest Friend)
30. Fred Drummond (Joe Cassese)

Original Announcement

Berryman Marathon
Mark Twain National Forest, MO
May 15, 2010

Chris Jaskiewicz is 36 years old, married to Kristin and a father to Hayden, with another child coming in August. Sadly, Chris was never able to share this happiness with his father. In 2003, Chris's father passed away from a short battle with Leukemia. He was only 53 years old and did not realize he had cancer until it was too late. It was around that time the LIVESTRONG Foundation became important to Chris. Since then, Chris has supported LIVESTRONG and has changed his own personal habits including education, training and diet. Chris has lost 43 pounds since 2003. He did not want my father's passing to come in vain.

Chris learned of Rise Above It (RAI) when meeting Ryan O'Donoghue on a flight from Denver to Cleveland. Chris had always considered running in a marathon. It was the combination of an invitation from a friend, Pat Perry, and meeting Ryan that prompted his training for the Berryman Marathon at the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri on May 15, 2010. Chris is raising money for RAI with hopes of making a positive impact in the lives of young adults diagnosed with cancer, so that they may live to experience the joys of life with their families for many years to come.

Pledge your support for Chris!

Many thanks to all who made the 7th Annual Super Bowl Benefit a great success! The enthusiasm, generosity and support displayed by RAI supporters was OUTSTANDING — a true example of how our community can come together and make a difference in the fight.

Over 250 partied with a cause, celebrating America’s number #1 sporting event and enjoying the traditional of raffles, amazing door prizes, great food, and fabulous guest bartenders... As a result, RAI was able to raise $11,000 in total proceeds – 100% of which will be used to benefit adolescents and young adults affected by cancer.

Thank you again – we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Door Prizes donated by:

• The Cleveland Cavaliers
• Spring Valley Golf Club
• Fat Heads Brewery and Saloon
• Hot Dog Heaven
• Henry's at the Barn
• Bricco
• The Reagle Beagle
• The Croyle Family

Additional thanks to:

• Event Coordinator Brian Burger and the 2010 Event Committee
• Guest Bartenders: Tyler Smith, Dawn Pickering, Sue Carroll, Tom Murphy, Valerie Phillips, Katrina Hollo, Jay Casey Eammon Dooley, and Amir Kettani
• MillerLITE
• Gina Kost for generously gifting $250 of $500 Grand Prize
• Many others for generously gifting Super Bowl Squares winnings, and
• Midview Wrestling team for their generous team donation

On October 16th, Rise Above It (RAI) demonstrated its continued growth while hosting the 2009 Black Dress Yellow Tie event.

Nearly 200 friends and supporters gathered at the Downtown Cleveland Marriott for a silent auction, gourmet dinner and live entertainment. A host of speakers inspired attendees by sharing their personal experiences and their commitment to RAI in the fight against cancer.

Beneficiary, Meghan (Baurer) Yee, spoke of the inspiring role RAI played in her own cancer journey. RAI President, Ryan O'Donoghue, presented Meghan with a $1,000 grant in support on her continuing fight.

Mike Sherwin, LIVESTRONG™ Board Member and Chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation Endowment, introduced his long time friend and esteemed colleague, Heidi Adams, as the event Keynote Speaker. His parting words, appropriately displayed on a coffee mug previously given to him by Heidi – "Fuck Cancer!"

Heidi Adams shared a heroic journey, covering her own cancer diagnosis and the eventual establishment of Planet Cancer - the world's premier social networking website for young adults battling cancer. Heidi emphasized the uniqueness and importance of RAI's services, sighting a specific example where RAI and its supporters allowed one particular individual to live out his dreams as an independent young artist in New York City.

New to the program was the presentation of RAI's Outstanding Contribution and Volunteer Service Awards. Dave Zastudil, #15 of the Cleveland Browns, was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award for his tremendous support since RAI's incorporation, and Alexis Vinick was awarded the Volunteer Service Award for her efforts as RAI's Director of Patient Services – the core responsibility of RAI.

Above: Alexis Vinick, RAI Director of Patient Services

Left: RAI President Ryan O'Donoghue presents Dave Zastudil with Outstanding Contribution Award

Additional thanks to:

Kevin Brown (right) and Thom Sandrock (left) for the wonderful live entertainment.

Magnificat (pictured) and St. Edward's High School Volunteers

And lastly... special thanks to all of our supporters in attendance on October 16th.

 

 

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