A Word From Our 2019 Honorees
My association with Cystic Fibrosis started about 20 years ago when Sean told me that his nephew - and now my friend Alex - was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I remember attending the first event that Noreen and Chris held to fund CF research – an art auction at the Holiday Inn in Clinton. I think I’ve been at every event they’ve held since that first one, only missing a scarce few due to family commitments.
Since that time I have kept an eye on CF therapies and treatments, hoping for some relief for Alex, and all of those who suffer with this illness. Hoping for a cure for CF, and for Alex. But that's what we all are here for. My understanding and knowledge of Cystic Fibrosis has expanded due to Alex and my involvement with this group - Coaches Cure CF.
So what’s my hope? Hope - it’s a simple word and yet can mean so much to anyone going through a difficult time. It can mean the difference between hanging on and giving up. It can cause a person to continue to fight rather than retreat. It can mean a tiny smile in the face of difficulty news. It’s one word with no true definition — hope can mean anything you want it to.
Each and every year I see the same faces here - I love re-acquainting with all of you wonderful people who love Alex so much - we are all hoping for that call or that report of phenomenal news for Alex and other CF fighters. And every year I see new faces, new believers in the cause.
And although the day may center on the golf and the social climate of the event, I know we all walk away with a better understanding of the importance of the work that Coaches Cure CF does and a revitalized passion to help.
Coaches Cure CF is about raising money, and raising awareness, it’s about finding a cure. But to me it’s more than that - it’s about giving hope and support. It's about standing alongside Alex and his family, and telling them that, although it may not be our battle, you are not alone. We stand alongside you, with you, hand in hand, and we are here to fight for you.
It's about showing Alex the love, the belief, the confidence - and yes the hope - that we are all one day going to celebrate with Alex the news of a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
--- Mike Karlis, 2019 Coaches Cure CF Award Honoree
I had heard the words Cystic Fibrosis in the past, but did not know what they meant. In fact, I remember searching on google just to find out the meaning of this disease. However, shortly into my broadcasting career, I learned many things....
I learned that "CF" were two powerful letters that way too many people lived with. I learned about Boomer Esiason's son and his foundation from my time at WFAN Radio. I met Alex Tarletsky and heard his story through friends and family. I learned about Jerry Cahill and his accomplishments after our family joined the Iona Prep community in New Rochelle, New York.
It seems like yesterday I was interviewing Alex and Seton Hall Athletic Director Pat Lyons at Iona College about the forming of Coaches Cure CF. But my memories from that first interview are not so much about the launching of the foundation, as they are about Alex's daily fight.
The power of this disease is unimaginable. However, so is the courage and mental toughness of every CF patient you hear of.
Especially Alex.
We can all do our part. Every single one of us. Whether you're a sponsor, regularly play in the golf outing or purchase Coaches Cure CF clothing, you are doing your part!
But let's not stop there. If you're a part of the Coaches Cure CF team, help spread the word and get a few more friends on board. If you're not on board, let's get you on board. Take the time to learn about the daily struggles and challenges of a CF patient, and I promise that you'll be inspired to support this cause.
It starts with awareness. It's difficult for people to support a cause they don't know much about. That is why in the college basketball world, we are so passionate about spreading awareness via social media and wearing pins on television during our game broadcasts.
Every dollar helps. Every tweet helps. Every event matters.
Little by little, we can all do our part, so that one day CF truly stands for "Cure Found."
Always a friend of Coaches Cure CF,
-- Vin Parise, 2019 Judge Award Honoree