Competing for a Cure: Range Resources Supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
For one day in late April, fifteen teams of Southpointe professionals left their offices behind, while vying for greatness at the Iceoplex multi-sports arena. From volleyball to dodge ball … trivia to tug of war – the prize was the Southpointe Corporate Cup. No matter the champion, the real win was found in raising over $37,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania; bringing patients, and families, closer to a cure.
Denise and Britt Freund are lead organizers of the Southpointe Corporate Cup. Their ten year old son, Brayden, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a baby. Today, the Freunds work closely with the Foundation, helping to raise awareness and funds in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. Britt is an attorney with Bowles-Rice, the event’s presenting sponsor. He and Denise were thrilled with the response to this year’s event.
“Last year was our first attempt and we decided – let’s just do it. We didn’t feel 100 percent ready but we wanted to jump in and get the Corporate Cup off the ground,” says Denise. In 2016, the fundraising total was $14,000. “This year, the collective efforts of Corporate Cup competitors more than doubled that amount.”
Marcellus Shale driller Range Resources is one of the sponsors of the Corporate Cup. Peters Township resident Allie Ondash has served as the captain of “Team Range” for the last two years. “Before getting involved with this event, my knowledge of Cystic Fibrosis was slim to none. I didn’t know much other than it was some kind of genetic disease,” says Allie. “After diving into this event, and through Range’s other efforts to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, I have learned so much: including how far research has come to help finding a cure, and the great strides made through the Foundation’s efforts. And, I’m a mom of two little boys. Meeting the Freunds and especially Brayden, and putting a name and a face to this disease, really hit home and made me want to get as involved as I can to help raise funds to eventually find a cure for all of the individuals and families affected.”
As a result of their participation in the Corporate Cup, the members of Team Range raised more than $7400. “The best part of the experience was how everyone on our team, people from several different departments came together,” says Allie. “Our team was amazing, and no one will ever forget that Tug-of-War!” (Range won.) “I cheered so loud that my throat hurt all weekend, and I was so proud of our team. And while we didn’t win the Cup, we congratulate our friends at Rice Energy for their great effort, along with all of the other teams that worked so hard to raise money for the CF Foundation.”
While the Corporate Cup is a relatively new event, Range Resources is a long-time supporter of the CF Foundation. Range’s Scott Roy has participated and raised funds for Foundation’s Yellow Creek Fly Fishing Classic fundraiser every April for the past eight years. “It has been a real pleasure to be part of an event that has raised over $325,000. Eighty-eight cents of each dollar the CF Foundation raises is spent on research, medical, community and education programs,” says Scott. “Getting to know the staff and families and children living with CF who ultimately benefit directly from research funded by CFF has been an honor.”
Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe. Until recently, many patients did not survive past their teens. But according to the Executive Director of the CF Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, Mary Pat Joseph (Pat), that’s no longer the case.
“Today, patients are living into their 40’s, 50’s, and beyond,” says Pat. “And I’m so happy to be able to say honestly to a new mom and dad that life for patients with CF is so much better today than it was even just ten years ago.”
Pat is proud of the continuing work of the Foundation. “We are heralded as one of the best and most savvy business models out there for curing a chronic disease, and foundations for other diseases have been able to create models like ours. I’m proud that we’re helping to fight chronic disease across the board. And Range has been an amazing partner and ally to us in the fight against CF – helping us to not only raise dollars but also to raise awareness. And I’m excited – a cure for CF is in sight. New technology has made it possible for the foundation to set a timeline, and a strategic plan. It’s probably 20-25 years away. But it will be a cure. And when that day comes, it’s going to be a great day.”
This article is written and sponsored by Range Resources.