Shay Realtors Blog: lou gehrig's disease

Friday, September 19, 2014

Two Competitors - One Common Cause by Ray Shay

Two Competitors - One Common Cause

By Ray Shay

8.26.14

Artie Ojeda and
Carlo Cecchetto

Last Saturday morning in front of Karl Strauss Brewery in 4S Ranch, something unusual and yet very special occurred. Local news anchors, Artie Ojeda from NBC 39 and Carlo Cecchetto from CBS 8 stood alongside each other after completing the Ice Bucket Challenge.

They were both soaked to the bone with ice cold water and yes, those were real suits they were wearing. It does not show, but Carlo also was wearing lime green flip flops and Artie being the experienced news anchor as well, was wearing worn denim shorts instead of matching slacks. The really cool thing is they both came together to support a common cause, the fight against ALS.

Artie and Carlo both spoke in lighthearted terms with each other and several dozen people in attendance. They encouraged everyone to support ALS and to attend the upcoming 5K, 10K, Kid's Run to be held Thanksgiving morning in 4S Ranch.

All the money raised goes to benefit ALS victims and the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation.
Click here for Thank You Run details.

What Artie and Carlo did not tell anyone is they have both personally witnessed the

devastating affects of Lou Gehrig's Disease and have sought support for ALS victims for many years. Long before ALS became more well known or anyone heard of the, Ice Bucket Challenge.

A special moment for me was when the news celebrities were speaking, I saw our ten year old son Ryan rest his left hand on Theresa's shoulder and lean into her.

I immediately wondered if Ryan remembered that about six years years ago, not long ago after his grandma "Helen" died from ALS that he was riding on Carlo Cecchetto's shoulders. I'll never forget that Carlo was wearing one of the bright blue Helen's Closet T-shirts as they both participated in the Carlsbad Half Marathon.

Jennifer, Carlo and Ray

The year was 2010 and It was a beautiful day along the shimmering Southern California coast. At that time the loss of Helen was fresh in all of our minds. It had only been a few months earlier when Helen quietly passed while encircled by family members in a special bedroom built by her son in law, Mark Schaefer (her favorite) in the small town of Denville, New Jersey.

To honor Helen and find a way to pay it forward, Theresa came up with the name Helen's Angels. Our good friends showed up and joined us on that crisp and cold January morning. We had no idea it was the precursor for our First Annual Thank You Run later in the year.

At the time, Carlo was not the marathon runner he is today. Ryan being only about five years old. was a bit winded. I saw Carlo reach down and pull him up to his shoulders for the final mile. That action is what giving back, supporting others and looking for ways to help is all about.

Diana, Yolanda, Randy, Jeanne, Theresa and Ryan

Thank you Artie, Carlo and all our amazing friends, and the Karl Strauss employees who showed up on Saturday morning. None of you had to be there, were paid to be there, but there you were regardless, reaching out to help victims of ALS.

That is pretty amazing stuff. A moment in time that Theresa and I will always treasure. Thanks for being there and thanks to all the people who support and help with the Thank You Run.

It is one amazing race that pays it forward to so many people that could never imagine running up Challenge Hill!

Have a great week,

The Ice Bucket Challenge by Ray Shay

The Ice Bucket Challenge

By Ray Shay

8.12.14

When I got the call this past week about the "Ice Bucket Challenge" my first thoughts were I was too busy, it sounded dumb, and I didn't really want to participate.

Click here to learn the story behind the "Ice Bucket Challenge."

That all changed when I returned home later in the day and saw the below video posted by Eric Marenburg who is the Co-Race Director with Pete Hess for our annual Thanksgiving Day, Thank You Run. The 5K, 10K and Kid's Run benefiting Helen's Closet and the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Foundation.

The Ice Bucket Challenge

In the video, Eric says, "ALS is a terrible disease...". I really don't recall what he said next. The few moments it took to turn away from my day to day operations of family and work seemed to open a large black safe of past memories which brought me face to face with Theresa's mom, Helen and her beautiful smile.

With the fond memories also came the brutal recollection of the terrible suffering Helen stoically endured while in the unforgiving grasp of Lou Gehrig's Disease. I felt the guilt of my own weakness wash over me like the unwanted bucket of ice water, I was avoiding. Wow, what a big shot I was. Too darn busy to take about 30 seconds to do something silly or out of my comfort zone which could bring more funding, attention, or send a tiny message of hope to the victims of a progressive disease which is always fatal.

I decided I could do better. I recall turning to Theresa as we stood in our kitchen and saying, "I'm in on the Ice Bucket Challenge and so are all of our kids. Let's find a bucket."

Helen (wearing white jacket) with family. Her favorite place to be.

We did not ask our kids. We just said, "We have to do this for Helen." Our Ice Bucket Challenge was not perfect. In fact, we had a few problems. I will give you a few pointers:

#1. Do not get an ice bucket the size of a small car. It can cause you to bump your wife in the head.

#2. Do not overfill your bucket with water. It is very embarrassing if you have difficulty lifting the bucket over your head. Especially when the event is being recorded.

#3. Keep a keen eye on your youngest children. They are crafty. They will discreetly pour the water on to the ground, say "whoopsie" and then quickly run away when they think no one is watching.

Shay's attempt the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

#4. Always be sure to challenge someone on the video. I challenged Teddy Lindsey and said hello to Francis who is an incredible man and artist who lives in Texas who is fighting valiantly against ALS. and is an inspiration to all of us.

Unfortunately, I forgot to challenge my family, friends, past Thank You Run participants, and our EWeekly readers. So consider this your official challenge to step up and do something great for complete strangers. If Justin Tmberlake and local good guy and resident, Dan Barnett can do the challenge. So can you. We look forward to posting your videos on the Thank You Run website!

You have 24 hours and the clock is ticking!!! As the ice water runs down your back think how great it is to be alive and by your actions you are helping so many victims of ALS.

Have a great week.