OUR INSPIRATION

The R4 is inspired each and every day to make a difference in the lives of patients within the R4 community battling acute, catastrophic diseases including all blood cancers We remain vigilant and persevere with our efforts in the names of R4 beneficiaries, supporters, volunteers and friends we have lost.
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They will not be forgotten by those having had the privilege of getting to know them and their families.

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Brittany Beckmann, 24 - August 19, 1990 – August 25, 2014.  Brittany forged a courageous battle against leukemia for many years. In 2007 Brittany was the R4 Patient Fund Beneficiary.  Every year since, Brittany and her entire family have volunteered at the R4, helping with everything from registration to selling raffle tickets.  Brittany helped the R4 deliver the message that more needs to be done to wage this war against blood cancer. One look at Brittany’s beautiful smile is all it takes to understand the R4’s mission.  Brittany Marie Beckmann died August 25, 2014 after a courageous battle with Leukemia. She was 24. (Read in full)

Jared Carlew, 21- August 09, 1987 – November 23, 2008. Jared was the inspiration for the R4 to begin the bone marrow drive in 2008, which has added over 500 names to the international bone marrow bank since 2008. Jared died of lymphoma, never having found a match.

Josh DePew, 22 – January 12, 1989 – September 9, 2011. R4 Patient Fund Beneficiary 2008. While a student and baseball player at Southern Connecticut State University, Josh was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We are grateful to Josh and his family for helping to raise funds and participating at the R4 awards ceremony to raise awareness about the disease and the need to keep fighting for a cure. ​

William Franze, February 18, 1964 - December 20, 2017. TLF Grant recipient.  Bill loved sports-- he was a volunteer coach, baseball umpire and basketball referee. He was diagnosed with ALCL and underwent a bone marrow transplant in 2016. Just before his transplant in late June, he came to the R4 and let us share his story. We are grateful to you, Bill, and to your beloved Christina.

Grace Hillriegel, 7 - April 3, 1998 – February 5, 2006. At 5 years of age, Gracie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  Gracie’s courage and bravery throughout her treatment inspired other patients and families battling cancer throughout the region. We are grateful to Jeannie & Brian Hillriegel, Gracie’s brother Michael and her entire family for allowing us to share Gracie’s illness with everyone in the running community during 2005-2006, and thereafter. ​

Meredith Kahan – Meredith, suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer for 8 months, passed away on May 21, 2014. Mer served as an R4 Web Master and dedicated countless hours, building the original R4 website and making the needed changes over the years. A partner in Versist Media, Mer believed in the R4 mission and generously donated her time.

John Loughlin (‘Papa John’), 86 – January 17, 1925 – March 31, 2011. John, who battled Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia for many years, was a dedicated R4 Volunteer. Many R4 participants remember Papa John, standing at the intersection of Lake Shore South and Lake Shore West, cheering them on into the right turn after the 2mile water stop.

Trevor Loughlin, 21 – November 17, 1991 – July 4, 2013, a dedicated R4 volunteer throughout his life, Trevor lost both grandfathers to leukemia and they inspired him to work towards a cure. As philanthropy chair of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha at SMU, Trevor organized a blood drive.

George Marone, 65–  September 10, 1945 – June 19, 2011. A former marine who served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and a Frontier Insurance executive, George was an R4 traffic volunteer, who passed away just a few days after the run in 2011. We are grateful to George and his wife Rosie, for their past support of the event.

Marco Pabon, 53 – September 10, 1961 – April 29, 2015; Trevor Loughlin Foundation Grant Recipient, 2014.  A passionate runner, Marco participated in the Boston and NYC marathons multiple times.  Marco was a founding member of the Hudson Valley Grand Prix and was actively involved with the Sullivan Striders running club. Marco battled glioblastoma for over 20 months.

Tammy Reichenbaugh, 40 – July 12, 1971 – September 3, 2011;R4 Patient Fund Beneficiary, 2010, mother of two from North Branch, NY who battled Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. We are grateful to Tammy’s children Felicia and Steven, her parents, Fred & Peggy, and her husband Charlie, who helped raise funds and participate in the awards ceremony to raise awareness for the need for a cure.

Walter Rhulen, 66 – October 17, 1931 – January 31, 1998. A dedicated runner and humanitarian, and founder of Frontier Insurance, Walter Rhulen died of Pro Lymphocytic Leukemia after a 5 month illness, which inspired the R4’s alliance with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Erik Rosen, 43-  September 29, 1968 – May 4, 2012. Erik, an entrepreneur, lawyer, artist, and writer, died following his long battle with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Erik Rosen discovered cNOTE during a stem cell transplant, a fine art company that brought Erik’s synesthetic visions to life through prints merging music and color.

Gil Sandvoss, 63 - February 23, 1947 – September 29, 2010. Gil lost his battle to multiple myeloma, without ever getting the critical bone marrow transplant, as he never found a match. Gil inspired many R4 participants to register for the bone marrow bank by participating in the awards ceremony.

Allyson Whitney Strong, 25 – May 8, 1986 – November 24, 2011. Allyson’s death inspired her friends and family to create the Allyson Whitney Foundation which raises funds to help young people battling rare cancers. The Allyson-Whitney Foundation hosts a 5K that is not to be missed. It takes place on Mother’s Day Weekend.  https://www.facebook.com/AllysonWhitneyFoundation.
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John H. Waterman (‘Herbie’), 75 -  July 23, 1934 – April 27, 2010. Herbie, an avid runner, was an active member of the Orange Runners Club and the Sullivan Striders Club. He was also a dedicated R4 participant and volunteer.

Shelly DuMond Weinstein, 61 – September 20, 1952 – January 7, 2014. Shelly and her husband Jay, as former owners of Bernie's, were annual sponsors of the R4. We are so grateful to the Weinstein family for designating the Trevor Loughlin Fund as a beneficiary of charitable donations in Shelly’s honor.