A Personal Experience with Support Connection
Sarah Chaparro of Croton-on-Hudson participates every year in Support Connection’s Support-A-Walk in memory of her mother Elizabeth Chaparro. Below, she shares her story. A link to Chaparro’s fundraising page for this year: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/sarahchaparro/walk2013
My mom passed away from Breast Cancer when I was 17 years old. She was only 44 years old when she died – she had been misdiagnosed and then when she was finally properly diagnosed her cancer was already in stage 4. She died the day before my youngest brother turned five. Her death was an overwhelming loss to my Father (Rev. Roberto Chaparro), my two sisters and two brothers and me. There was an immense void that we all felt on the deepest levels as well as in the smallest ways. Her death impacted my life and the way I viewed the world in a significant way.
As time passed, I was filled with the desire to help those going through similar experiences in any way I could. I saw a flyer for the walk one day in a store – I read up on Support Connection and I became very interested in supporting their vision. I remember in the beginning years of our team participating in the walkathon that there were times I walked with only one other person (My sister Bethany). Every year more family and friends joined and it became a tradition that we all look forward to as a way to remember and celebrate the lives that were taken from us far too early and the valiant ones still fighting around us. Last year we had almost 40 people walk with our team – “In Memory of Elizabeth Chaparro.”
My sister gave birth to my mom’s first grandchild last August. Charlize Elizabeth has brought hope of new life and beginnings into our family and last year when she was only three months old she joined us at the walk wearing our team’s Ray of Hope Champion hat. Last year was an extremely special year for our team. It marked the 10th year that my mom has been gone and everyone wanted to do something to commemorate her life. What better way to do this than paying it forward and collecting donations to further the support of a group which helps to empower and comfort so many? Having my family and friends there to remember my mom and encourage my brothers and sisters and I was so meaningful. My mom’s life touched so many and even a decade later those that knew her and loved her still feel the effects of her beautiful soul.
Did your mom or anyone else you know ever use any of Support Connection’s services? If so, when and to what extent (if known)?
“I’m not sure that my mom used the Support Connection’s Services. However, I know my grandmother, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, reached out to the Support Connection. She was aware of their services and support because of our active participation in the walk. She was a strong supporter of our team every year – through donations and walking with us, until she passed away in 2006. She is a continuing inspiration to our team’s drive to raise money and to help make the walkathon a success every year.
What is your overall reaction to the Walk, particularly the feeling that you when you’re there?
“Overwhelmed. In the most positive way possible. I am overwhelmed by the feeling of love, encouragement, strength and hope. It is so amazing to be somewhere and you feel that although everyone has a different experience with the disease and struggle, you can all unite under the banner of hope. That is why I have chosen the Support Connection as the organization that I choose to give my time and energy.
Thank you to Support Connection for giving the community a way to bind together and feel a deep connection with others that we may not know but whom we surely understand. I appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of my story – as sad as it may be at times- the thing that my mom and my grandma and my aunt who is currently battling breast cancer have taught me is being hopeful and positive are some of the most important things in life – second only to being loving and supportive to your family and friends. Looking forward to raising a lot of money for this great cause and having a good team turnout come out to represent In Memory of Elizabeth Chaparro!
This year’s Support-A-Walk takes place Sunday, October 6 at FDR State Park in Yorktown. The walk kicks off at 10 a.m. Pre-walk activities begin at 9 a.m.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
