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| “Little” Sonia and “Mama” Sonia Jarvis |
We are
just five days away from the 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Hike for Meso at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills, and Sonia
Jarvis, who lost her father last year to malignant pleural mesothelioma, has
been busy rallying the troops.
This past
weekend Sonia and her family hosted a pasta dinner at their home to kick-off
their fundraising efforts for the upcoming event. This is the first time Sonia
has organized anything like this, “I wasn’t sure how many people would actually
show up, not very many RSVP’d, but the turnout was amazing! There wasn’t a dull
moment, we had people coming in the door as others were leaving, so it was
perfect.” The fare included homemade lasagna, mostaccioli, sausage and peppers,
and an assortment of salads and desserts. The event raised over $2000!
While
there are many who “talk the talk” when it comes to taking the time and effort
to help others, Sonia’s father Charles “Chuck” Jarvis was always one to “walk
the walk”. “Dad always wanted to give, this man would give you the shirt off of
his back. People say that about people, but he really was that guy,” Sonia says
of her father.
When Chuck
was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in the fall of 2011, he was scared,
and he had no idea what to expect. It was when he spoke with Clare Cameron of the
Pacific Meso Center and UCLA thoracic surgeon, Dr. Robert Cameron, that his heart
and mind were put at ease. “They walked him through everything and let him know
what to expect and even though he was still scared, he made up his mind to help
if he could.” Sonia says.
“He decided to embrace what was going on and to reach out and give others help and comfort. His motto to the end was, “I want to help.” Sonia continues, “he instilled that in us, raised us that way. He would contribute everything he could. That is why my brother and I decided to do this, to help others, because that is what dad would done.”
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| Chuck Jarvis, Jr (r) with Sheriff Lee Baca |
Just
last month Chuck’s son, and Sonia’s brother, Chuck Jr. was one of the
rallying forces behind the successful fundraising event The Greatest Escape
Motorcycle Ride
which raised over $100,000 for mesothelioma research!
“It is hard
without him here, but I know my dad is smiling down on me. This is what he did before
he died, and this is what he would want us to be doing. I am so proud of what he
taught us and instilled in us. It is hard to have lost him, but we are all so very
blessed to have had him for as long as we did.”
Sonia is
already planning for next year when she will be hosting more dinners and begin fundraising
even earlier, we can’t wait!
Please
join us this Sunday, October 27 at Paramount Ranch for a scenic morning hike in
the Agoura Hills, followed by food, beer and live music! Head over here to register today!
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