INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. and#8212; Courtenay Silvergleid Wallpe, Ph.D., 42, was diagnosed with a life threatening strain of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer, in late 2010.
While her most prized role is that of mother to her two sons, Zachary and Zander and#8212; where she revels in family life with husband Bryan and#8212; Courtenay has been a tireless supporter of our community. She served as Board President of Tahoe SAFE Alliance, facilitated the strategic planning process for Tahoe Expedition Academy, created Terrific Trekkers, a hiking club for kids and their families, and been involved with MOMS (Mom's Offering Mothers Support) since 2004.
and#8220;Courtenay Wallpe has been dedicated to helping people in our community for years. She inspires me with her unstoppable commitment to making people's lives better, and her infallible ability to offer leadership, friendship and love to those in her life,and#8221; said family friend Amy Cecchi. and#8220;It is because of her exceptional work at Tahoe Safe Alliance that I have adopted the non-profit as my personal cause. Many, many lives are made better every day through her generous spirit.and#8221;
Courtenay and her family left for Seattle on May 26 with the plan to receive a bone marrow transplant on June 21. Devastatingly, just this week the family learned her potential and#8220;matchand#8221; is no longer a match.
The Wallpes invite you to consider being tested as a potential donor. Watching Courtenay go through this process has cemented how precious your "gift of life" can be to a mother, father, son or daughter. This is the fourth potential identified match unable to donate for various reasons.
Upon finding a match, Courtenay's process will entail extensive testing, chemotherapy and radiation to prepare her body for the transplant, hospitalization following the transplant, and a several month stay to allow for monitoring and recuperation. Regrettably, insurance will not cover all the costs associated with this process. The expected out of pocket expense is roughly $75,000. Following is a list of fundraisers organized by friends and family to help with Courtenay's medical costs:
and#8226; Dinner at Azzara's and#8212; Monday, June 11, 5-9 p.m., www.azzaras.com. Call to make your reservation, 775-831-0346. All profits from the evening will be donated.
and#8226; Bone Marrow Drive and#8212; Saturday, July 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Village Green, Incline Village. Contact Michelle at mctahoe@nvbell.net to volunteer.
and#8226; Truckee River Rafting and#8212; Thursday, July 26, www.truckeeriverrafting.com, 530-583-1111. Mention and#8220;Courtenayand#8221; to receive $5 off, and $5 will be donated to Courtenay's fund.
and#8226; Contact RPM Mortgage for your next real estate finance transaction and#8212; state your desire to support the Wallpe family, and Dave will donate 50 percent of the earned loan revenue. David Colarchik, 775-832-6522.
and#8226; Register to become a bone marrow donor and#8212; Join the Be the Match Registry®. It's easy, convenient and free to register, http://marrow.org.
and#8226; Donate Directly and#8212; visit www.helphopelive.org/ and enter Courtenay Wallpe in the and#8220;Find a Patientand#8221; portion of the homepage then click on the and#8220;Donate Nowand#8221; button. To make a donation by check, make checks payable to HelpHOPELive. In the memo section, note: In honor of Courtenay Wallpe. Checks should be sent to: HelpHOPELive, 150 N. Radnor Chester Rd, Suite F-120, Radnor, PA 19087. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. This campaign is administered by HelpHOPELive (National Transplant Assistance Fund, Inc.), a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients.
Family and friends would like to thank to Azzara's, Wolfdales ($100 gift certificate donation), Truckee River Rafting and David Colarchik.
