Jimmy V CYO Classic’s Past Honorees Remembered

Jimmy V CYO Classic’s Past Honorees Remembered
Katie Dougherty

Each year, the Philadelphia Friends of V’s Jimmy V CYO Classic honors a specific person or a local family who has faced cancer head on. Even though the 2014 Jimmy V CYO Classic will be honoring all cancer survivors in general, it is still a good idea to take some time to reflect on the individual honorees who were recognized and cherished during the event in the past.

In the year 2004, the very first Jimmy V CYO Classic honoree was a woman named Linda Kucinski. Linda, unfortunately, was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away at the age of 46 in the year before the event. This commemoration dedicated to Linda truly helped inspire not only her family and friends, but also inspired the Philly Friends of V Foundation to reorganize the Jimmy V CYO Classic every year. To this day, Linda’s spirit lives on through the memories of her husband, Dennis, and her daughter, Elizabeth.

Two years later during the 3rd Annual Jimmy V CYO Classic, the Philly Friends of V honored a young man named Greg Wolf. Greg was diagnosed with cancer at age 20 while studying economics at the prestigious Duke University. Although he lost his battle to cancer just three years after being diagnosed, Greg’s gift of generating laughter and fun can still be found within those whose lives he touched.

Leah Chapman was commemorated at the 2010 Jimmy V CYO Classic. While attending Maple Point Middle School, Leah was diagnosed with a rare strain of pediatric cancer. However, she fought on and continued to devote time to her supportive family. Leah passed away at only 14 years of age, yet her old soul and unequivocal wisdom demonstrated her true uniqueness. Profound maturity is typically achieved through many life experiences, but Leah was an individual blessed with this knowledge right from the start.

Last year, the Philly Friends of V honored the Rooney family at the 10th anniversary of the Classic. Shane Rooney was diagnosed with cancer as a high school student. Fortunately, Aileen Rooney, Shane’s sister, donated a portion of her bone marrow to her brother. Aileen’s generous donation is, in the end, what kept Shane alive to this very day. The Rooney’s sense of compassion and goodwill is what the Philly Friends of V hopes to share with more families at the Jimmy V CYO Classic for many more years to come.