12
Fall 2012
OUTREACH
Some people turn their
extracurricular activities
into thriving businesses.
Supporter Bob Klem has
turned his passion into
a growing fundraising
endeavor.
When he lost his
wife Becky to pancreatic
cancer in 1999, Bob, as well as his daughters Rachel and
Sarah, were understandably distraught. Eight years later, the
family decided to honor her memory by generating support
for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network through a hockey
themed fundraising idea of soliciting donations based on
Bob’s hockey wins. That support eventually evolved into a
benefit game. Soon after, the Klem family formed the
Have A
Skate with Bob
Foundation.
Bob teamed up last year with the American Hockey
League’s Rockford IceHogs team and Central Hockey
League’s Missouri Mavericks and began playing
Skate’s
benefit games before the professional teams match ups to
increase awareness and fundraising for the cause. He also
took the step to honor his good friend Tom Jacobson, who
passed from pancreatic cancer in 2011. The first game with the
IceHogs was a notable success, raising more than $15,000.
This season,
Have A Skate with Bob
benefit games are
scheduled in Rockford, Illinois, Independence, Missouri, and
Topeka, Kansas before IceHogs, Missouri Mavericks and
Topeka RoadRunners games, respectively. To participate
in the benefit games, players raise donations and solicit
sponsorships with all proceeds donated to the Pancreatic
Cancer Action Network. Bob also holds silent auctions
featuring hockey related memorabilia. To date, the foundation
has raised more than $45,000 for pancreatic cancer research.
“
Through our journey with pancreatic cancer, and Becky’s
memory always with us, we have learned much about life,
love and facing challenges with grace and determination,”
Bob said. “Thirteen years later, Becky lives on through me,
my girls, my grandson Bobby, and all of our efforts to fight
this terrible disease.”
To learn more, visit the
Have A Skate with Bob
Foundation
website at
www.skatewithbob.com
.
THE MARATHON GODDESS: HONORING A LOVING FATHER
AND SUPPORTING A GREAT CAUSE
Embarking on a journey in 2008 to
improve her own health, Julie Weiss
set out on a course not knowing she
would later inspire and benefit many
people facing pancreatic cancer.
As part of a weight loss strategy,
Julie, now known as the Marathon
Goddess, began participating in
marathons at that time. During the
next four years, the Santa Monica,
Calif. resident competed in more than
23
marathons, as well as a number
of triathlons. Cheering her on through
each event was her biggest fan: her
father, Maurice Weiss.
Buoyed by her success with other competitions, Julie, an
accountant and mother of two, set her sights on her ultimate
prize: the Boston Marathon. Despite 18 attempts, she was
unable to qualify for the competition. After her last failed bid to
enter, she experienced a life-altering event.
In October of 2010, Maurice was diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer. He passed away 35 days later on
November 24. Another Boston Marathon qualifier loomed on
the horizon one week later; Julie had signed up and her father
was to attend with her.
With renewed determination and the spirit of her father
guiding her, Julie reached her goal, qualifying for the Boston
event on her nineteenth attempt and ran the race.
Achieving the Boston goal served as the catalyst for
turning her pastime into a life mission. Soon after, she set
an even more ambitious goal of running 52 marathons in one
year (52 weeks) to pay tribute to her beloved father, heighten
awareness of pancreatic cancer and fundraise for the cause.
Now at the midpoint of her crusade, Julie has raised more
than $106,000 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
“
Through my love of running, my love of life, and my
love for my father, I plan to continue to raise hope, money,
and awareness around the world for those who have been
affected by pancreatic cancer,” Julie said. “I want to show
how strong the human spirit can be.”
To learn more about Julie’s quest, visit her website at
www.marathongoddess.com
.
A wonderful way to pay ongoing tribute to your loved one while raising
awareness and funding for the fight against pancreatic cancer.
www.keepthememoryalive.net
KEEP THE MEMORY ALIVE
Marathon Goddess
Julie Weiss competing
in Utah.
PUTTING FUNDRAISING SUCCESS ON ICE IN THE MIDWEST
Players gather who participated
in the Have a Skate with Bob
Foundation’s first game at the Line
Creek Community Center.