This year, Team Tangerine is again walking in the UMass Walk to Cure Cancer to raise money for cancer research and to remember Justine Claise, who passed away on June 28, 2005, at the age of 27.  She bravely fought cancer for a year and a half. Justine was a loving wife to Matthew West, a funny and caring daughter to Anne and Bob Claise, a friend more than a sister to her brother Matt and sister-in-law Bronwyn.  She was a beloved member of the Claise and West families, and a beloved friend to many who still miss her warm presence over every dinner and every laugh.   She was a kind, genuine person, and was an active participant in cancer fundraising before and after she was diagnosed. 

This will be our team’s fourth year participating in the Walk.  Last year Tangerine and our connected teams raised over $10,000.00  Each year we have been honored by UMass as one of the top 25 fundraising teams.  This year we have lost none of the commitment, joy and fulfillment that we experience as we get ready to raise money for a great cause and come together to celebrate Justine’s life.

Our dedication remains inspired by the beautiful presence that Justine was in our lives.  Through knowing her, we all learned in some small way to understand the loveliness of the everyday in life, and have learned to appreciate those people and experiences that remain with us, even after we have had to say good bye.  And certainly we have learned how the memory of one person, like her, can inspire us to reach further, to do more, and to keep on creating ripples for a cause that we are committed to.

To donate, please make checks payable to the Walk to Cure Cancer, and mail your checks to: Team Tangerine, C/O Leann E. Ledoux, 28 Jeppson Avenue, Worcester, MA 01606.  You can also donate via credit card on this web page (please see instructions below.)  If you are interested in walking with us on September 28th or would like further information, please email Lee at leann.ledoux@gmail.com. Also, please check out our MySpace page, www.myspace.com\walkteamtangerine, where you can view photos, messages, and find information about our team and the Walk.

               ~ Ripple in still water, when there is no pebble tossed, nor wind to blow ~