Regatta team holds fundraisers to fight blood cancers
Each August, a crew of 10 dedicated yachtsmen and women comes together to sail the Jahazi in a regatta off Chicago.
Though there are many sailboat races each year, this one is different. And though there are many who sail, this crew is different.
Both are dedicated to finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers.
Yes, the crew members of Team Jahazi sail because they enjoy it.
But they sail in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual regatta to raise money for the organization and to fight back against the cancer that has affected them or someone they love.
In its 10 years sailing Lake Michigan, Team Jahazi has raised more than $60,000 to help LLS fund research and support those fighting the disease.
For the past five years, the group has hosted the Leukemia Cup Lobsterfest, an outdoor sit-down dinner with entertainment, as its main fundraiser for the society. The sixth event will be Aug. 9 in Batavia, in advance of the regatta Aug. 22 and 23.
But first, the group is launching a new fundraising endeavor next month -- the Spring for a Cure Red Tie Event.
"All of the proceeds will go to LLS to assist in their effort to find a cure for the blood cancers," organizer Frank Giampoli said. "We must find a cure because this disease does not have a cure presently and affects all people, young and old."
He and his wife, Lori Giampoli, recently discussed the team, its efforts and the organization it supports.
Q. What is your group's name?
Frank Giampoli: We organize our efforts under the name Team Jahazi for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Each year near the end of August, LLS has a regatta race for sailboats off Chicago in Lake Michigan, which we participate in. The regatta is a fun way to raise funds for the LLS, similar to their Team in Training program for runners and bicyclists. We race our sailboat, Jahazi, in the regatta and raise donations for the LLS. Last year we raised $30,000 for LLS.
Q. What is your mission?
Frank Giampoli: To raise money for the LLS. LLS survives on donations for research and humanitarian efforts. Each member of our crew on Jahazi has had a personal story of a family member who has had or died from these blood cancers.
Q. How do you raise money for LLS?
Frank Giampoli: By throwing two fundraisers each year, the Lobsterfest in August and the Spring for a Cure Red Tie Event in March.
Q. Who do you serve?
Lori Giampoli: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which was started in the 1940s, is a nationwide organization dedicated to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and myeloma. It is the leading private funder of blood cancer research and provider of programs for patients and their families. I find it truly amazing that it was scientists funded by this society who developed chemotherapy.
Q. When and why did your regatta team start? How has your fundraising effort grown?
Frank Giampoli: We started because we all wanted to do something to take a stand against these insidious diseases. We have participated in the regatta for more than 10 years, starting the first year raising $1,000 and growing to last year's donation of more than $30,000.
Q. What kind of successes have you had?
Frank Giampoli: As a crew, we won our section of the Chicago to Mackinaw race in 2002. We have done well also in the LLS Regatta.
Most importantly, we have raised a considerable amount of money for LLS.
Q. What challenges do Team Jahazi and LLS face?
Frank Giampoli: We would like to see the Red Tie Event be a big success, and that requires people to come and enjoy themselves.
Lori Giampoli: Federal money for cancer research has waned in recent years, resulting in fewer clinical trials and fewer therapies. More money is needed for the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. Also, it is imperative that federal money be funneled into stem cell research.
Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about your cause?
Lori Giampoli: I wish our community knew that 850,000 Americans live with a blood cancer, and that every 10 minutes one will lose that battle. Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer in children and young adults under the age of 20.
Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with the organization?
Lori Giampoli: If anyone spent a week with the Chicago Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, they would find a group of young men and women dedicated to this cause who truly believe, as Team Jahazi does, that we will live to see a cure for all blood cancers.
-- Christie Willhite
Spring for a Cure Red Tie Event
Team Jahazi intends the fundraiser to be fun. All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Tickets must be purchased in advance, but the only other requirement is that attendees include a red tie or sash in their outfits.
What: The Spring for a Cure Red Tie Event
Where: The Pavillion at Meson Sabika Restaurant, Naperville
When: 7 to 11 p.m. March 1
Cost: $100 per ticket, includes admission, steak-and-lobster dinner, premium bar, music and an art and wine auction.
Info: (630) 208-1406 or www.jahazi.org
Vital statistics
Beneficiaries: All money raised goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Amount raised the society: More than $30,000 in 2007, more than $60,000 since we started 10 years ago
Full-time employees: 0
Volunteers: 10