Temple University Athletics
Team TUFF ® Captain Feature
4.24.13 | Football
On May 12, team TUFF ® [Temple University Football Family] will participate in the 2013 Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure. This week the four team captains—Cathy Bongiovi, Evan Regas, Julie Rhule, and Matt Rhule—will share their stories and why this cause is so important.
My Mom—Rae Bongiovi
by Cathy Bongiovi
I decided a while ago that I wanted to participate in this year's Komen Race for the Cure. While I am not a runner, I wanted to do the 5K walk in honor of my mother Rae. She is truly a survivor in every sense of the word.
After a routine mammogram showed something irregular, my mother went for a biopsy. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2005, the same day that my sister Diane died unexpectedly. Our family was shaken to its core.
While trying to deal with her own grief and to hold her family together, my mother had to deal with her own treatment options. She didn't tell any of us about her diagnosis until after the funeral. Luckily my brother Joe lived nearby and was with her throughout her treatment. My mother underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. I remember her talking about how painful the side effects on her skin were. But day by day, she endured.
In 2010, my mother crossed the five-year milestone—CANCER-FREE!
Through the years, my mother has always been there for me. She has taught, guided, groomed, comforted, disciplined, rejoiced, shared, and advised. She has always put her four children--Cathy, Diane, Jolene & Joe-- first in her life. When I was little, she was a stay-at-home mom. She re-entered the working world only when my sister and I went to school. But we always had dinner every night as a family, and we always went to church together each week as a family.
It's amazing that my siblings and I didn't drive her over the edge during those crazy teenage years. Although we were never troublemakers, my sisters and I used to constantly fight over clothes. I'm sure she was glad when we left one by one for college.
As an adult today, I've come to appreciate my mother more. Maybe it's because I know hard life can be sometimes, and I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be without her guidance. Maybe it's because to this day, she is still willing to give to each of us. I know that she has always been in my corner when I needed her the most. Mom has always shown unquestionable love and patience. She has truly been the glue that has kept our family together through all of its rough patches.
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Mom has seen us through our life journeys—the successes and the failures. She continues to offer advice and wisdom. And yes, she sometimes she drives me crazy, too. But she knows I love her!
My mother is the reason I work in sports. At a young age, she told us we could do or be whatever we wanted. She shared her interest in college (yes, Penn State) football with each of us. And the rest is history.
While I've been in the sports media relations profession for more than 25 years, I still don't think she knows exactly what I do. Mom visited me last Thanksgiving, and we had our final home game against Syracuse. I gave her a credential to sit with me in the press box (a first for her), but I had to put her to work. With all the students gone over the break, I needed her to answer phones. She pitched in without complaint.
Within the last month, my mother had another scare—something irregular showed up on her mammogram. After a biopsy, we received good news—NO CANCER!
I encourage all women to get regular mammograms. With my mother and my grandmother Lulu (now deceased) as breast cancer survivors, I don't take any chances; I get my mammogram every spring. I am thankful to organizations, like Komen, who provide free or low-cost mammograms to women who can't afford them. Mammograms are our first line of defense in battling this dreaded disease. Early detection is the key.
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My mother will celebrate her 70th birthday the week of the Komen walk. Currently residing in Williamsport, Pa., she is technically retired. She has a part-time job working at a church, which she loves, and keeps busy with her girlfriends and card club.
When I don my pink shirt on Mother's Day, I will do it with pride and honor. I am sorry that my mother has had to endure a lot of pain in her life, but she has taught me that strength, faith, and love are all you need to survive.
* * *
To join team TUFF ® or to make a donation, visit our team page:
http://rfcphl.convio.net/site/TR/Race/RacefortheCure?team_id=52781&pg=team&fr_id=1080
My Mom—Rae Bongiovi
by Cathy Bongiovi
I decided a while ago that I wanted to participate in this year's Komen Race for the Cure. While I am not a runner, I wanted to do the 5K walk in honor of my mother Rae. She is truly a survivor in every sense of the word.
After a routine mammogram showed something irregular, my mother went for a biopsy. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2005, the same day that my sister Diane died unexpectedly. Our family was shaken to its core.
While trying to deal with her own grief and to hold her family together, my mother had to deal with her own treatment options. She didn't tell any of us about her diagnosis until after the funeral. Luckily my brother Joe lived nearby and was with her throughout her treatment. My mother underwent a lumpectomy and radiation. I remember her talking about how painful the side effects on her skin were. But day by day, she endured.
In 2010, my mother crossed the five-year milestone—CANCER-FREE!
Through the years, my mother has always been there for me. She has taught, guided, groomed, comforted, disciplined, rejoiced, shared, and advised. She has always put her four children--Cathy, Diane, Jolene & Joe-- first in her life. When I was little, she was a stay-at-home mom. She re-entered the working world only when my sister and I went to school. But we always had dinner every night as a family, and we always went to church together each week as a family.
It's amazing that my siblings and I didn't drive her over the edge during those crazy teenage years. Although we were never troublemakers, my sisters and I used to constantly fight over clothes. I'm sure she was glad when we left one by one for college.
As an adult today, I've come to appreciate my mother more. Maybe it's because I know hard life can be sometimes, and I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be without her guidance. Maybe it's because to this day, she is still willing to give to each of us. I know that she has always been in my corner when I needed her the most. Mom has always shown unquestionable love and patience. She has truly been the glue that has kept our family together through all of its rough patches.
My mother is the reason I work in sports. At a young age, she told us we could do or be whatever we wanted. She shared her interest in college (yes, Penn State) football with each of us. And the rest is history.
While I've been in the sports media relations profession for more than 25 years, I still don't think she knows exactly what I do. Mom visited me last Thanksgiving, and we had our final home game against Syracuse. I gave her a credential to sit with me in the press box (a first for her), but I had to put her to work. With all the students gone over the break, I needed her to answer phones. She pitched in without complaint.
Within the last month, my mother had another scare—something irregular showed up on her mammogram. After a biopsy, we received good news—NO CANCER!
I encourage all women to get regular mammograms. With my mother and my grandmother Lulu (now deceased) as breast cancer survivors, I don't take any chances; I get my mammogram every spring. I am thankful to organizations, like Komen, who provide free or low-cost mammograms to women who can't afford them. Mammograms are our first line of defense in battling this dreaded disease. Early detection is the key.
My mother will celebrate her 70th birthday the week of the Komen walk. Currently residing in Williamsport, Pa., she is technically retired. She has a part-time job working at a church, which she loves, and keeps busy with her girlfriends and card club.
When I don my pink shirt on Mother's Day, I will do it with pride and honor. I am sorry that my mother has had to endure a lot of pain in her life, but she has taught me that strength, faith, and love are all you need to survive.
* * *
To join team TUFF ® or to make a donation, visit our team page:
http://rfcphl.convio.net/site/TR/Race/RacefortheCure?team_id=52781&pg=team&fr_id=1080
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