‘Cones for Cancer’ update: Put a positive spin on tough saga, pedal for a cure, March 22

Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina at the Creamery with sons Christian and Justin. Photo courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina
Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina at the Creamery with sons Christian and Justin. Photo courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina
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It’s time for some spin-doctoring in Morristown.

Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina of the South Street Creamery plan to pedal for a cure on Sunday, March, 22, 2015, and they hope you will join them.

Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina at the Creamery with sons Christian and Justin. Photo courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina
Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina at the Creamery with sons Christian and Justin. Photo courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina

It’s a fundraiser to cure Ocular Melanoma, a rare and virulent cancer that Jeff, 45, has been battling since Thanksgiving of 2013.  The battle is growing increasingly difficult.

“Jeff is fighting hard, taking every treatment they have,” Lori Ann said of her husband of 12 years. “He’s tired. But still, he never complains, dragging himself to work, and keeping up with our boys!”

Greater Morristown rallied around the Giardinas last December.  Cones for Cancer raised more than $40,000 for research.

The couple and their sons, Christian, 8, and Justin, 6, remain hopeful of a medical breakthrough, even as the illness has robbed Jeff of vision in one eye and spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.

Gloria Long, Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina and Cheryl Bock. Photo courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina
Gloria Long, Jeff and Lori Ann Giardina and Cheryl Bock. Photo courtesy of Lori Ann Giardina

Pedal for a Cure is scheduled for the NBD Training Zone, at 40 Park Place, Morristown.

Ride a stationary bike for an hour, between 8 am and noon, and your $35 fee will be donated to Jefferson Hospital’s research program in Philadelphia. Lori Ann, owner of the Creamery, will be spinning at 9 am and so will Jeff, if he is able.

“Everyone loves the Creamery and they have always been a strong supporter of Morristown, and have employed so many of our high school kids.  It’s time for the town to give back and show Lori Ann and her family the love and support they deserve,” said Gloria Long, who co-founded the nonprofit Pedal for a Cure in 2010 with Cheryl Beneduce Bock.

Both women have a personal stake in beating cancer.

From left, spin instructor Jason Usdin; Cheryl Beneduce Bock of Pedal For a Cure; and  instructor John Ferrara, at Morristown's NBD Training Zone, site of March 22, 2015, fundraiser. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Bock
From left, spin instructor Jason Usdin; Cheryl Beneduce Bock of Pedal For a Cure; and instructor John Ferrara, at Morristown’s NBD Training Zone, site of March 22, 2015, fundraiser. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Bock

Gloria lost her mother to breast cancer. Cheryl is a cancer survivor.

A spin instructor, Cheryl also works for Suzi’s Salon and Spa, a short walk from the Creamery. She said she is inspired by Lori Ann’s heart and Jeff’s courage.

“They’re an amazing couple, amazing people, an amazing family,” said Cheryl, who still remembers the warm hug of thanks she got from Jeff when they met a few weeks ago.

“I should have been hugging him. But he hugged me. That hug gave me strength, too,” said Cheryl, noting she feels lucky to be alive after her brush with cancer.

“I count my blessings every day,” she said. “I know I’m here for a reason.”

That reason: Helping people like the Giardinas.

By coming out to pedal for a cure on March 22, Cheryl said, folks will be “letting them know how much they’re loved and supported, and how we’re getting closer to winning the battle.”

Register to pedal at 973-216-2148.

If spinning’s not your game, donations to the research can be made “in honor of Jeff Giardina”  right here.

 

 

 

 

pedal for cure , jeff giardina, march 2015

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