THE ZAPATOS BLANCOS raised $44,710.58 during the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Seacoast Safari fundraiser last month. From left, Lou Tramontozzi, Brian Haney, Daniel Hansen, Guy Lombardo, Chris Kelley, Brian Moreira, Joel Steiner, Mike Weiss, Joe Montesano, Bobby Williams, Mark Preston, Dave Rogers and Matt Egan. Missing from photo are Matt DiVirgilio and Gerry Noumi. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — A team of dedicated cyclists cruised the seacoast once again last month to raise money for cystic fibrosis (CF) research.
Thomas Road resident Joel Steiner along with 14 cycling enthusiasts competed in their ninth CF Foundation Seacoast Safari Cycle for Life fundraiser as part of the Zapatos Blancos team. In addition to Steiner, the Zapatos Blancos includes 12 Lynnfield residents: Mike Weiss, Bobby Williams, Lou Tramontozzi, Guy Lombardo, Brian Haney, Brian Moreira, Mark Preston, Chris Kelley, Gerry Noumi, Daniel Hansen, Dave Rogers and Matt DiVirgilio. Out-of-towners Matt Egan and Joseph Montesano also participated in the fundraiser.
“The Seacoast Safari CF Cycle for Life event raised $146,649, and the Zapatos Blancos collectively raised $44,710.58,” said Steiner. “We are the number one fundraising team for the event and are the top team in the country. The next closest team in the nation raised $30,000. Each of the riders is committed to this cause, and it shows in their fundraising. Our team had the number one and number two fundraisers for the entire event in Mike Weiss and Bobby Williams, who raised $11,287.88 and $7,455 respectively. There were many on the team that individually raised over $1,000, $2,000 and even $3,000.”
Steiner recalled that, “The CF Cycle for Life is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s premier cycling event.”
“Each year, thousands of cyclists gather in dozens of cities across the nation to take part in an exciting effort to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis,” said Steiner.
Steiner continued that CF is “an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 40,000 children and adults in the United States.”
“A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, causes life-threatening lung infections, and obstructs the pancreas blocking the body from naturally being able to break down and absorb food,” said Steiner. “There are many great charities to participate in, but CF needs support. I firmly believe our team gets so much support because many people know a family or someone personally affected by cystic fibrosis.”
Steiner said there are nearly 40,000 people with CF in the United States, and an estimated 105,000 people have been diagnosed with CF in 94 countries.
While the CF Foundation was forced to hold virtual fundraisers in 2020 and 2021, the Seacoast Safari fundraiser was held in-person for the first time since 2019 this year. Steiner said four members of the Zapatos Blancos traveled the 100-mile route while the rest of the team cruised along the 65-mile route along the New Hampshire and Maine Seacoast.
“This year was our first chapter-supported ride since the pandemic,” said Steiner. “We joined over 100 riders as we journeyed preset routes of either 65 or 100 miles. There were rest stops staggered throughout the ride. One unique stop our team makes is the one where our families stayed. Our children were able to make encouraging posters, and we got a chance to hug our families about halfway during our ride at the Elmwood Resort Hotel in Wells, Maine.”
Steiner said supporters of the CF Foundation, including the Zapatos Blancos, have helped the nonprofit organization “lead the way in the fight against CF and fueled extraordinary medical and scientific progress.”
“Working alongside the CF community, the CF Foundation has helped advance the development of more than a dozen CF treatments, and added decades of life for those with CF,” said Steiner. “Thanks to this work, the life expectancy of someone born with CF has doubled in the last 30 years.”
Steiner said the support from the Zapatos Blancos’ families played a key role in helping the team raise $44,110.58. Steiner thanked his wife Dana along with Lindsay Weiss, Beth Williams, Meghan Tramontozzi, Tanya Lombardo, Victoria Clair, Karen Moreira, Elisa Preston, Sarah Kelley, Katie Noumi, Anna Montesano, Kimberlee Kossover Hansen, Katelyn Rogers and Nicole DiVirgilio for their ongoing support of the team.
“This event is only made possible because of the love and support we get from our families,” said Steiner.
Steiner said the support the Zapatos Blancos received from the Lynnfield community is “humbling.”
“Quite frankly, the town feels like an extension of our team,” said Steiner. “We’re a small but mighty town. For our team to be number one in the country speaks volumes to those that contributed. We have the deepest gratitude to those that continue to support us and to the residents from Lynnfield.”
Steiner said the decision to get involved in the Seacoast Safari was sparked by a challenge from longtime volunteer Sharon Littlefield.
“Sharon was working in the CF clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in New Hampshire, and said we could make a difference by getting involved,” said Steiner. “She is still volunteering for the event, and our team hasn’t looked back.”
Steiner said participating in the Seacoast Safari fundraiser is incredibly fulfilling.
“Riding for this event checks all the boxes,” said Steiner. “It’s a challenging, fun, social and rewarding form of philanthropy.”
Steiner recalled that the Zapatos Blancos have been riding in the Seacoast Safari for the past nine years.
“Next year, we plan on making our biggest splash as part of our 10th year team anniversary celebration,” said Steiner. “We would welcome others to join us. It will be another milestone to see who is going to be the first kid rider from our group. Together, let’s make CF stand for cure found.”
