Thursday, October 24, 2013

“Walking the Walk” For Others—A Jarvis Family Tradition


“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.”
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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