Team Donnelly Dolphins: Welcome
 |
||
|
||
| view full size | |
What
is the Swim?
This is the power of one. The power to save a life begins with one person. It happens each and every day throughout the world, when one individual cares enough to help another human being through their toughest times. The power of one multiplies exponentially.
During his fifty years of service to St. Vincent’s hospital Dr. Vincent P. Donnelly has saved many lives. This year, his family would like to honor his selflessness and dedication by creating Donnelly’s Dolphins, a team which will participate in one of his favorite charities: Swim Across the Sound. Since its beginnings, Swim Across the Sound has battled cancer one person at a time, providing services in the areas of cancer education, screening and prevention, as well as day to day care for victims.
The swim was started in 1987 by St. Vincent’s Hospital and a young man who had lost one leg to cancer. This young man is still swimming today. We hope there will be many more like him. And we hope none of us loses a leg to the sharks in Long Island Sound.
Please use your own power of one and contribute to the Donnelly’s Dolphin’s swim. We are planning several events to speed us on our fundraising journey. The first event will be high tea and a silent auction to be held on July 6th at the home of Caroline Erni. The second is “Echolocation” a concert featuring some of Fairfield County’s most talented young musicians. See below for details of both events.
The last event is, of course the SWIM itself. Our Dolphins are amateurs; at best weekend swimmers, but they all have big hearts, and much courage. So encourage them! Come and cheer them on at Captain’s Cove on August 5th (probably the last boat in) or send in your generous contribution in advance to help them swim faster, stronger, better…
Thank you.
The Dolphins: James Donnelly, Caroline Erni and Sydney Leggett (children) Susanne Erni and Rosie O’Sullivan (grandchildren) Susanne Greenblatt (friend)
Dolphin Trainers: Mrs. Vincent P. Donnelly, Peter Donnelly , Kim Donnelly, Michael Donnelly, Patricia Donnelly , Mary Donnelly, Douglas Erni, Patrick O’Sullivan, Shawn O’Sullivan.
THE DONNELLY
DOLPHIN TEAM: Douglas and Caroline Donnelly Erni
Susanne Greenblatt Patrick and Shawn Donnelly O'Sullivan Mary Rose
O'Sullivan Aine O'Sullivan Nora O'Sullivan Mike and Pat Donnelly Chris
and Sydney Donnelly Leggett Tertia Donnelly Goodwin Peter and Kim
Donnelly Susanne Erni
Please go to the our
Links and donate to Swim Across the Sound.
Thank you.
The following is a
text by Susanne Greenblatt.
It is an honor to be the only non-Donnelly member of team Donnelly that
will be Swimming the Sound. My introduction to the family began in
October 1982 when Caroline Donnelly Erni and I were an orientation group
of two, as nurses in the Emergency Department of St. Vincents Hospital
in NYC. When you are 22 years old and you have lunch with the same
person every day for six weeks friendship soon follows.Our team will be
raising money for the Cancer Center at St. Vincents in Bridgeport, Ct in
honor of Dr. Vincent Donnellys 50th year as a surgeon at that hospital.
It is overwhelming to think of the number of lives he has touched, both
directly with his own surgical practice and infinitesimally through the
work of all the surgical residents he has trained, and the lives they
have touched, as well as the residents they have trained . . . I am also
swimming to honor three breast cancer survivors that are important to
me. My mother Ruth was diagnosed in 1979,when there were not many
diagnostic or treatment options available, which meant that breast
cancer was often fatal. Before mammography the diagnosis was made by
either discovering a lump that was large enough to be felt, or by the
symptoms of the cancer spreading through the body. I am happy to report
that my mom is now a grandmother and I consider every year (that she has
been a survivor) as a gift. Pat Gaffney worked in the Emergency
Department at St. Vincents NYC when Caroline & I were new. Several years
ago she bravely endured multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation
in her quest to eradicate breast cancer from her life. Her positive
attitude throughout her treatment made it easy to be supportive. Today,
Pats ten-year old daughter Christy also has the gift of a healthy
mother. And I still have the gift of her friendship. Mary Anne Sturiano
is a colleague and a mentor. Her ordeal with breast cancer was a model
of early detection and treatment options. She told people she had joined
the Breakfast Club for her outpatient radiation therapy âs the first,
early morning patients who all scurried off to work after their daily
treatment! Mary Annes family (she recently became a grandmother for the
second time) will have many more years to enjoy with her.These three
women are also nurses. Ruth and Pat returned to work when they were
able; Mary Anne worked through her treatment. They were able to continue
to touch countless lives as nurses because when they became patients
cancer detection and treatment was available. Your generous donation
will allow the Cancer Center At St. Vincents Bridgeport to do the same
for others in need. I thank you in advance.
|
||
| view full size |
