Slater will run for her daughter's cause

TOWN CRIER- WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2008

By MIKE GIANNATTASIO
Sports Correspondent

Wilmington resident Cheryl Slater will be one of hundreds of participants running in Wilmington’s Fourth Annual Half Marathon and 5K Race/Walk on Sunday.

Slater, 36, will be participating in this year’s event to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

Over 30+ other people will be joining Slater in running for this cause on Sunday, including her very own nine year own daughter Veronica. Slater participated in the Boston Marathon this past year, and she said that thinking of her daughter throughout the race allowed her to finish the 26.2 mile course.

“This was the first year I ran the Boston Marathon for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and I am not even a runner,” said Slater, who is originally from Saugus, MA. “Running made it easier when I thought of all that she goes through and doesn't ever complain.

“There were many days when I would be out running in the snow and tired, and I would just keep thinking of how hard she tries everyday.”

Slater, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at Mass General Hospital, added that many people always seem to be shocked when they find out her daughter has CF since she participates in several different sporting activities.

“I think a lot of people will be surprised to see that Veronica has CF because she plays soccer, basketball and is on a gymnastic team,” said Slater. “But what I think that people don't realize is how hard she works to do these things- nebs and inhalers, extra salt on hot days to prevent dehydration and about 40 pills a day. She also had two surgeries this summer for a gastric tube placement so I can give her enteral feedings at night because she wasn't keeping up with her nutritional status.”

Veronica’s very own gymnastics team, Gymstreet USA in Wilmington, will also be participating in Sunday’s road race to benefit Veronica and the CF Foundation.

“Veronica has been on the gymnastic team since the gym opened and when I mentioned the race to her coach, Alison and the owners Kim and Charlie, they each thought that it would be a great event to help support Veronica,“ said Slater. “They have been incredibly kind and empathetic to everything Veronica has gone through in the past year. They are very team oriented and thought it would be a wonderful way to help a teammate.”

Slater added that many other people are running to benefit the CF Foundation as well.

“More people everyday will ask if they can walk or run with us and the more the merrier,“ said Slater. “I think the more people that hear about it the more people we will get involved. I have three close wonderful friends from high school who are not runners who are running the half marathon just for Veronica and we have been running at 5:30 am on Saturdays because that's the only time we can get together since we all work and have kids. Of course my husband Mike and two boys Chris, 7, and Harry, 5, are walking in the race too.”

Slater will be participating in the half marathon on Sunday for her second consecutive year, and she said that the town of Wilmington does a tremendous job in setting up the event.

“I loved the event last year and felt the town did a wonderful job organizing it,” said Slater. “I feel very proud that our town offers such a well run race and I wanted to get more people involved this year.”

Slater said that being part of the fund-raising process and running in the event to benefit the CF Foundation is very rewarding.

“The most rewarding part of any fund-raising let alone does something so close to my heart, and it is the values it teaches my family,” said Slater. “I think it is very easy to take, but I want to teach my children to give to others less fortunate and take part in their community. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is consistently rated one of the top charitable foundations to donate to since 90 cents of every dollar raised goes to research and supporting people with CF. I also love that young kids are getting out and walking or running and getting exercise.”

Slater added that she is looking forward to the race on Sunday and seeing how much the town can raise for the CF Foundation.

“Our family has never had a fundraiser with friends in our town before,” said Slater. “It will be very exciting and emotional to have such generosity from so many people.”

Slater’s daughter, Veronica, is also looking forward to Sunday as she will be able to participate in the event with her friends.

“I like to run and I like that my friends are going to be there to help raise money for kids with CF,” said Veronica. “I’m looking forward to the free ice-cream and running the last part of the half marathon with my mom.”

Slater added her daughter has been all she can ask for, and she hopes she continues to always set high goals for herself and to never quit.

“(Veronica) is amazing,” said Slater. “She has had numerous hospitalizations and she is so tough. My goal for her has always been to be treated the same as everyone else and not to have any limitations. I tell her to never give up and I have to remind myself of that many times when I am running.”

If anyone would like to donate to the CF Foundation to benefit Veronica and others participating in Sunday’s race, please go to the CFF website at http://www.cff.org/LWC/WilmingtonRun. Donations will also be accepted on Sunday to anyone wearing a CF shirt, and all donations would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone is interested in joining Cheryl Slater and the CF Foundation team please contact Cheryl Slater at 978-658-2851 or email her at http://us.mc329.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cherylslater2003@yahoo.com.