Miles for Melanoma 2015

It was Thursday, July 9, and another year had passed as Team Z continued “living for a good time” … just as our dear friend, Tom Ziarko, always did. It was two years ago that we lost the light in our life who passed away after bravely battling Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma. Several of us gathered at St. Mary’s in Chicago for a memorial mass, and we then spent the day with Tom’s family. Days later, we were scheduled to participate in our third Miles for Melanoma 5K and the whole group rallied to support the cause. As if there were any doubts about that.

After my effort last year made me the No. 1 fundraiser, having raised $3,190, I had a goal in mind for 2015. I wanted to raise $5,000. I wanted  reach even more people to not only make them aware of the dangers of melanoma, but also to find people who didn’t know Tom’s story. I wanted more people to know about the incredible brother, son, cousin, nephew, boyfriend and friend that so many people miss every single day.

Raising money is hard. It’s not fun asking people to donate to a cause, especially if it’s something that people can’t relate to. Not to mention, there are thousands of causes worthy of everyone’s time and money.

It’s incredibly difficult to plan a fundraiser for the middle of graduation/wedding/baby shower/vacation season (aka summer). But I was able to raise about $1,000 thanks to the generosity of many people, including strangers who happened to wander into Double Play that night. Once they heard me talk about Tom, they were moved and some donated money without even taking raffle tickets.

As donations slowly trickled in, I knew I wouldn’t come close to a $5,000 goal. Stuck at $1,500, I changed my goal to $3,000 hoping that I would be able to try and raise close to the amount I raised in 2014. By the grace of God and I’m sure thanks to our angel, Tom, the donations picked up. In the end, I raised $4,345 and finished in the top three fundraisers.

So, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you. To everyone who supported me financially, emotionally and in many other ways, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We’re living for a good time, and we can’t wait for Miles for Melanoma 2016!