THE ZAPATOS BLANCOS raised $43,756.87 during the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Seacoast Safari Cycle for Life bike-a-thon last month. Front row, from left, Louis Tramontozzi, Don Gentile, Jason Davis, Mark Preston and Daniel Hansen. Back row, from left, Joel Steiner, Curtis Underwood, Guy Lombardo, Christopher Kelley, Brian Moreira, Michael Weiss, Matthew Egan, David Rogers, Bobby Williams and Joseph Montesano. Missing from photo is Brain Haney. (Courtesy Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — A group of friends who are dedicated cyclists have spent the past 10 years raising money in hopes of changing CF’s definition from cystic fibrosis to cure found.
The tradition continued last month, as Thomas Road resident Joel Steiner and 15 cycling enthusiasts participated in their 10th annual CF Foundation Seacoast Safari Cycle for Life fundraiser as the Zapatos Blancos team. In addition to Steiner, the Zapatos Blancos includes Lynnfield residents Jason Davis, Don Gentile, Brian Haney, Daniel Hansen, Christopher Kelley, Guy Lombardo, Brian Moreira, Mark Preston, David Rogers, Louis Tramontozzi, Curtis Underwood, Michael Weiss and Bobby Williams. Connecticut residents Matthew Egan and Joe Montesano also participated in the Zapatos Blanco’s fundraiser.
“Our team raised $43,756.87 this year, and the donations keep coming in,” said Steiner. “We were the number one team for the chapter and are currently number two in the country for all events. Our team includes the number one, number two and number three fundraisers for the event.”
Michael Weiss was the Zapatos Blancos’ top individual fundraiser for the second straight year after raising $12,052.76. Bobby Williams finished second with $7,896.11 and Chris Kelley was third with $6,805.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that our small but mighty team is making a tremendous difference supporting individuals and families impacted by cystic fibrosis,” said Steiner.
Steiner said the Zapatos Blancos “rode along the beautiful Maine coastline” during the Seacoast Safari Cycle for Life fundraiser.
“The majority of the group embarked on the 65-mile route,” said Steiner. “There were four individuals who braved the 100-mile course. Daniel Hansen is a former Ironman participant. Lou Tramontozzi is a cycling enthusiast. Dave Rogers and Jason Davis both ride in the Pan-Mass Challenge.”
Steiner said participating in the CF Foundation’s Seacoast Safari fundraiser is incredibly rewarding for the entire team.
“One of the best joys is riding and fundraising for others,” said Steiner. “It allows us to not only get in shape and enjoy the outdoors, but also model to our kids that you can have fun while doing good for others. At the end of the day, we are riding to support research for others.”
Steiner said the Zapatos Blancos decided to host a “mini awards night” to celebrate a successful Seacoast Safari fundraiser.
“Mike Weiss received the Top Fundraiser Award after raising the most during back-to-back years,” said Steiner. “Chris Kelley earned the Best in Show Award after he updated his riding kit and outfit, invested in a new bike, took on other riding events to prepare for this year’s ride and was number three in fundraising. Bobby Williams was given the Firestarter Award for not only being number two in fundraising, but always pushing each of us to do our best with fundraising. He lights a fire under all of us.”
Steiner said Curt Underwood received the Party Pedals Award.
“Each year, the Party Pedals Award recipient is selected as a person who shows up no matter what,” said Steiner. “Curt met that criteria and didn’t let anything stop him from finishing this year’s ride.”
Steiner said Mark Preston earned the Top Supporter Award.
“While Mark was unable to ride this year, he was with us coordinating throughout the ride,” said Steiner.
Steiner presented Brian Haney with the Unsung Hero Award.
“Brian was injured while training, but he raised over $2,600 because he was still committed to the team and the cause,” said Steiner.
In addition to raising money for the CF Foundation, Steiner said the fundraiser gave the Zapatos Blancos an opportunity to “enjoy a family weekend together in Maine.”
“We had multiple families celebrating together,” said Steiner.
ZAPATOS BLANCOS team members, from left, Matt Egan, Bobby Williams, Don Gentile, Joel Steiner and Chris Kelley take a break from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Seacoast Safari Cycle for Life fundraiser to check out the beautiful Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine last month. (Courtesy Photo)
Steiner said raising money for CF research is incredibly important for the Zapatos Blancos.
“The mission of our team is to make CF change from cystic fibrosis to cure found,” said Steiner. “Most of the members on our team didn’t identify as cyclists. Everyone invested resources, time, money and effort to make a quantifiable difference.”
Steiner said Zapatos Blancos is hoping to use all or some of the $43,756.87 raised this year to support Dr. Steven Freedman’s research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
“Dr. Freedman is a BIDMC provider who is world-renowned for his CF-gastrointestinal focused research,” said Steiner. “Individuals with CF now live longer lives because of the great strides with CF-related lung treatments, but they now encounter another major risk with CF-GI issues. Individuals with CF have 25 times the risk of colorectal cancer and face very aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer versus the general public. Dr. Freedman’s research is on the forefront of finding solutions for this major unmet need. It’s amazing he’s one of the leading global authorities and local to Boston. We are actively working with the CF Foundation to try and get funds appropriated to Dr. Freedman’s research.”
Steiner thanked the Zapatos Blancos team’s families for the love and support they provided throughout the fundraising process.
“The support of our family, spouses and children has been unwavering, which allows us to train and put forth our best effort,” said Steiner.
Steiner also thanked the Lynnfield community for supporting the Zapatos Blancos’ CF fundraiser once again.
“The support from the Lynnfield community has been absolutely incredible,” said Steiner. “It’s humbling to see that a small town can have such a big impact. Fourteen of the 16 riders on this team have Lynnfield ties, and there is a significant portion of fundraising that takes place directly from Lynnfield residents. Zapatos Blancos is eternally grateful for the town’s continued support.”
Steiner recalled that the origin of Zapatos Blancos’ name is “quite ridiculous.”
“Our team had a boring name our first year,” Steiner recalled. “The newly formed team was standing in my kitchen and one of the riders, Matt Ricci, was wearing blindingly bright white loafers. Not being able to take our eyes off the shoes, we joked with him regarding his fashion choice. The next year, we were inspired to name our team after him and that’s how our team name was born. Zapatos Blancos means team white shoes in Spanish.”
Steiner said the Zapatos Blancos have grown significantly since the team’s first Seacoast Safari fundraiser 10 years ago.
“Over the last ten years, our team ranged from three riders to 16-plus families,” said Steiner. “Much of that growth is attributed to evolving as a family-focused event. Each year, many of us look forward to this event and celebrating together over the weekend. One of the best feelings is achieving what we sought out and making a difference. We look forward to future rides and continuing our mission to make CF stand for cure found. As our team ages, the big question is who will be the first kid to ride with the team.”